The best traffic-free bike rides in Gutenbrunner Wald

A bike ride to the Klangturm (Sound Tower) in St. Pölten is a worthwhile stop on any tour of the city. The 77-meter-high tower in the government district was built in 1996 by architect Ernst Hoffmann and is a striking example of modern architecture in Lower Austria. Its glass, spiral shape evokes movement and sound, which is how the tower got its name. An elevator or stairs lead to the viewing platform, which offers panoramic views of St. Pölten and the Alpine foothills. The ground floor houses a tourist information center, and spacious squares and green areas around the tower invite visitors to linger – ideal for a short break during a bike tour through the city.

The Viehofner Lakes in St. Pölten consist of the Großer Viehofner See and the Kleiner Viehofner See, and together form a popular local recreation area. The lakes are connected by a canal and offer a variety of opportunities for recreational activities such as swimming, boating, walking, and cycling. Well-developed cycling and hiking trails run along the shores, offering magnificent views of the water and the surrounding nature. While the Großer Viehofner See invites you to linger with its lawns, swimming areas, and restaurants, the Kleiner Viehofner See, with its reed beds and breeding grounds, is a nature reserve and provides a habitat for numerous bird species. The area thus combines recreation, sports, and nature experiences in the immediate vicinity of the city.

Cycling along the banks of the Traisen River near Herzogenburg offers a particularly charming route. The path follows the river's course, offering frequent unobstructed views of the shimmering water, the riverside meadows, and the gentle rows of trees along the river. The route is pleasant to ride, picturesque, and close to nature, making cycling along it an experience in itself. Passing tranquil stretches of river and lively riverside areas, the tour offers an atmospheric interplay of nature, water, and landscape – ideal for anyone who wants to actively explore the riverbank by bike.

Free swimming, parking is subject to a fee, except in winter

The cycle path takes you along the picturesque Traisen River – a pleasure in any season.

At this point, you cross the idyllic Perschling stream. The view of the stream and the surrounding area is magnificent.

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The St. Andrä Footbridge over the Traisen River was rebuilt in 2022 after the old wooden bridge had to be demolished due to flood damage and safety deficiencies. The new bridge is an elegant, approximately three-meter-wide single-span bridge without intermediate piers in the riverbed and now directly connects the districts of St. Andrä and Herzogenburg. The bridge is equally suitable for pedestrians and cyclists and forms an important section of the local cycle path network. The footbridge is particularly important for cyclists, as it offers direct access to the Traisen Valley Cycle Route and, subsequently, to the Danube Cycle Path. The crossing also provides a scenic connection to the Traisen-Danube Circular Tour, an approximately 18-kilometer route that leads through quiet towns such as Hameten and Sitzenberg to the Altenwörth power plant. The route is mostly flat, paved, and family-friendly. A rest area has been created at the northern end of the bridge, featuring a drinking fountain, seating, a bicycle service station, and a small pergola for relaxing. From here, there is an unobstructed view upstream into the natural floodplain landscape of the Traisen River, with its mature trees, meadows, and tranquil watercourse. The new bridge thus not only connects two banks but also creates an attractive place for local recreation, exercise, and enjoying nature—whether on foot or by bike.