Altenwörth: Danube backwater, riparian forest and cycle paths

Altenwörth combines the character of a historic village with landscape experiences along the Danube backwater and riparian forest. The Danube backwater is nestled in the species-rich Danube floodplains; at the same time, the Danube Tour Altenwörth route reaches the edge of the riparian forest. This makes the village an ideal starting point for a variety of holiday activities: You can explore cycle paths, take a nature-focused walk, discover local history or plan a wine tasting.

Cycle paths between the Danube and the Wagram

Cyclists will find several described routes in Altenwörth. The approximately 18 km-long Wagram Trail connects the Weinviertel Trail with the Danube Cycle Path. In the Kirchberg area, it leads from Altenwörth via Gigging, Neustift, Kirchberg and Engelmannsbrunn to Fels, where it meets the Weinviertel Trail. The family-friendly Traisen–Danube Cycle Route is a secondary route of the Traisental Cycle Route and leads via Sitzenberg-Reidling to the Danube Cycle Path near Altenwörth.

The Danube Cycle Path also involves a specific travel decision: The sixth stage on the north bank leads from Krems to Tulln through Altenwörth. Near Altenwörth, cyclists change sides of the river because of the Altenwörth Danube power plant. The Danube Tour also recommends a detour via the Danube backwater to the Danube and the power plant. Those looking for a longer route can include the Kamptal Cycle Path, which begins in Altenwörth and ends in Zwettl.

Village character and history

The village character along the main road is shaped predominantly by single-storey transverse farmhouses and houses with street-front façades, some of them featuring façades dating from around 1900. One detail makes this historic structure particularly vivid: House No. 6 is a single-storey building with a mansard hipped roof and a commemorative plaque for Emperor Franz Joseph dated 1908.

The parish church of Altenwörth is dedicated to Saint Andrew and is a Josephinian hall church. It was probably already mentioned in documents as early as 865. The parish was moved to Kirchberg am Wagram in 1147 because of frequent Danube floods and re-established in 1784. On the church square there is also a sandstone statue of Saint John of Nepomuk, dated 1715. The Nostalgia Trail complements these historical impressions with twelve information boards about life along the Danube, its dangers and the economic opportunities throughout history.

Active days and nature experiences

The Biber Trail is ideal for a shorter hike. It is 7 km long, takes about 1.5 hours to walk and follows in the footsteps of beavers. At 26 km, the Danube–Kamp Loop is considerably longer and can be used as a cycling or hiking route from Altenwörth. The cycling time is 1.5 hours, while the walking time is 6.5 hours.

Since spring 2004, two bathing jetties have been available at the Danube backwater, making the backwater a popular bathing spot. A wakeboard lift operated by the YES Surf Club Altenwörth is also located at the Altenwörth gravel pit on Kollersdorferdorferstraße. The Danube power plant is also part of the local landscape: A fish passage there connects renaturation projects on the Danube and its tributary rivers, thereby strengthening the biodiversity of the Danube.

A suitable base for planning your trip

When looking for a holiday apartment or other accommodation in Altenwörth, you can first determine your preferred travel rhythm. For an active trip, the cycle paths, the Danube–Kamp Loop and the Biber Trail are the main attractions. Those who prefer culture and local history will find several different points of interest along the main road, at the parish church, on the church square and along the Nostalgia Trail. For an enjoyable item on your itinerary, wine tastings at Waltner Winery are available every Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. without prior registration. This allows you to choose your accommodation based on the experiences you want to define your stay in Altenwörth.

You can find more places in the same area here: Trasdorf, Neustift Im Felde, Atzenbrugg, Ollern, Absdorf, Greifenstein, Sankt Andrä-Wördern and Dörfl.

To the higher-level travel overview: Tulln.