Get out of the noisy city and into the dense Vienna Woods. If you want to relax a bit in the sun after a busy week, you don’t have to spend ages in the car. Just about 50 minutes from Vienna, a real piece of untamed nature awaits you, offering great opportunities for exploration. This trip is especially fun with kids.
Up close with the wild boars
We’re talking about Austria’s oldest nature park—the“Sparbach Nature Park,” which was founded back in 1962. The absolute highlight of the 350-hectare site is undoubtedly its animal inhabitants. Here, you can walk right through the habitat of free-roaming wild boars searching for food in the undergrowth. In addition to the wild boars, frogs, beetles, ducks, deer, birds, and butterflies are just a few of the animals living there.
You share the trails with the animals completely without fences, which is a pretty awesome experience, especially for families. Don’t worry: the wild boars are used to people and therefore not dangerous as long as you keep a safe distance. If you prefer to observe the wildlife from a bit of a distance, there are also separate enclosures for small and wild animals on the grounds where you can watch them closely.
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More than just trees and hiking trails
In addition to the vast forest landscape, the region in the southern Vienna Woods has plenty of history to offer. Nestled amidst lush greenery are the Johannstein ruins and the old charcoal burner’s house ruins, which make for exciting stops along your route.
During a leisurely stroll, you’ll also come across the striking Dianawiese Triumphal Arch and the picturesque Lenauteich pond with its historic mill. If you’re traveling with children, the little ones can really let off steam at the huge adventure playground, which features its own sand and water play area, or at the sturdy motor skills stations. In addition, there are regular educational guided tours for the little ones, where they learn how to interact with nature.
What you might overlook at first glance
Be sure to take time during your hike to visit the so-called KlimaSCHAUplätze, an informative themed trail right through nature. Afterward, it’s worth popping into the interactive nature park center to further deepen your knowledge of the complex ecosystem. By the way, admission to the entire area costs €9.50 for adults and €6 for children.
It’s best to pack a bag with a hearty snack, because you’ll get hungry quickly on these long walks. The trails are wide and well-maintained, making them perfect for a leisurely outing without needing professional gear.
