Discover Schönbach

Schönbach combines well-signposted hiking trails, striking granite and rock formations, and a remarkable history of craftsmanship and pilgrimage. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment in Schönbach will find a place where nature experiences, cultural discoveries and family-friendly excursions can be combined.

Hiking among rock formations and the Waldviertel landscape

The hiking trails around Schönbach take you past cup-marked stones and imposing rock formations. A hike through the typical landscapes of the Waldviertel passes numerous individual farmsteads, such as the “Vogelwaidhof”, and ends at the “Maria Rast” pilgrimage church in Schönbach. This makes it possible to combine exploring the landscape with a cultural destination, without nature becoming merely a backdrop.

The Hieronymus Trail also provides specific guidance for planning your trip. It begins at the Infopoint – Wurzelsepp in Schönbach, is 10.9 kilometres long and has a stated walking time of 3 hours. Anyone looking for a route with a fixed starting point and a clearly specified distance can take these details into account when planning their own day of holiday.

Nature experiences with different focal points

The Lohnbach Waterfall is a natural monument in the “Waldviertel Pond, Moor and Heath Landscape” European protected area. The Lohnbach Waterfall Trail leads through the impressive Lohnbach gorge to the “Steinernes Bründl”, giving it a distinctive character among Schönbach’s hiking options. Schönbach is also located in the source area of the Kleine Kamp.

A trail of particular interest to children leads through picturesque forests and lush meadows. Along the way, it passes a fishpond and a petting enclosure, as well as interesting granite formations, before returning to Schönbach. For families who want to discover nature not only while hiking but also through animals, water and unusual rocks, this trail offers an engaging way to get to know the area. For a sporty change of pace between excursions, Schönbach has a freely accessible beach volleyball court.

Traditional Craftsmanship and Maria Rast

The Schönbach Monastery-School Workshops are located in the former monastery in Schönbach. During guided tours, basket weaving and soap making are explained and demonstrated. The experience museum presents traditional crafts at several stations: spinning, weaving, the use of flax, the production of roof shingles and woodturning. In addition, the Schönbach Laundry Care Museum is dedicated to wooden washing machines and irons from the previous century.

Another cultural highlight is the “Maria Rast” pilgrimage church. The statue of grace, “Maria Rast”, forms the actual centre of the church and pilgrimage; the pilgrimage to “Our Lady Maria Rast” was already mentioned in 1421. The church also contains three Gothic winged altars. The monastery courtyard is used, among other things, for the traditional Kriecherlkirtag festival. The Schönbach experience thus extends from historic craft techniques to religious art and traditional customs.

Choosing the right location for your holiday

When looking for accommodation in Schönbach, you can use your desired holiday experiences as a guide. If your excursion begins on the Hieronymus Trail, the starting point at the Infopoint – Wurzelsepp provides a specific reference point for planning. If you would like to combine nature and culture, the Lohnbach Waterfall Trail, the paths through the landscape and the pilgrimage church offer different ideas for a day out. Families can also consider the trail with its fishpond, petting enclosure and granite formations. The choice of a holiday apartment or holiday home should primarily suit the excursions you would like to undertake in Schönbach.

More destinations

Find more destinations at Friedersbach, Schoberhof, Kottes, Municipality of Groß Gerungs, Schwarzenau, Griesbach, Rosenau Castle and Gutenbrunn.

For the overview of higher-level travel destinations: Zwettl.