The best dog-friendly hikes and walks around Hohe Wand

The castle ruins of Emmerberg tower over a wooded ridge directly above the entrance to the strategically important Prossetschlucht gorge. The most important milestones in its history: • Founding for border security (around 1160/1170): The castle was built on behalf of the lords of Emmerberg and was first mentioned in documents in 1170. Together with the neighboring Starhemberg castle, it formed an important bulwark on the northern border of the then Carantanian March. • Strategic protective function: In addition to monitoring the passage to the "New World," the facility served as a refuge during enemy incursions and possessed an optical warning system (signal fires) to relay signals as far as Wiener Neustadt. • Change of ownership: After the male line of the Emmerbergers died out in 1455, the fortress changed hands several times and was expanded over the centuries with Gothic and Renaissance additions. • Artificial destruction (from 1760): Its downfall was – similar to Starhemberg – of an economic nature. To avoid the imperial roof tax, the administrator at the time, Heinrich von Heussenstein, had the roof of the fortress demolished in 1760. The structure was thus left unprotected against the elements, decayed rapidly, and was used by the villagers as a quarry. • Modern era and decay: In 1833, Archduke Rainer bought the site. Since then, the area has been owned by the Habsburg-Lothringen family. The condition steadily deteriorated; in the winter of 1997/98, the striking staircase tower in the inner courtyard finally collapsed.

The Emmerberg castle ruins are a high medieval cliff castle in the market town of Winzendorf-Muthmannsdorf, which was first documented around 1170 and once served as an important fortification point on the northern border of the Carantanian March to guard the Prosset gorge. After more than six hundred years of use, the castle was abandoned at the end of the 18th century, after which the covering of the roofs to save building tax, as well as stone robbery, initiated its decay into ruins. Today, the facility, threatened by collapses, is privately owned and may not be entered for safety reasons.

The Alpine and Local History Museum on the Hohe Wand offers an interesting insight into the history of the region, mountain sports, and life on the high plateau. The exhibition vividly conveys how closely landscape, alpinism, and traditional use are interconnected here. A worthwhile cultural stopover as a change from the natural and scenic viewpoints along the hiking route.

The viewing tower on the Hohe Wand offers a wide panoramic view over the plateau, the surrounding forests, and, with good visibility, far into the Lower Austrian foothills. The ascent is particularly worthwhile because of the elevated perspective, from which the landscape can be surveyed much better. A striking viewpoint and one of the classic destinations in the Hohe Wand Nature Park.

The Tierpark Hohe Wand is a popular stopover in the nature park and offers the opportunity to observe various native and other animal species up close. Especially for families, the visit provides a change of pace between hiking sections. A beautiful place for a longer break before continuing through the forest and meadow landscape of the Hohe Wand.

A family-friendly area in the Hohe Wand Nature Park with a petting zoo and adjacent playground. Especially for children, this section is a particularly varied stopover on the hike. The combination of animals, play opportunities, and nature makes the spot ideal for a longer break.

A beautifully located picnic spot right by the fallow deer enclosure in the area of Kleine Kanzel. The seating is ideally suited for a cozy rest during the hike through the Hohe Wand Nature Park. Due to the immediately adjacent enclosure, the spot is particularly varied and a nice stopover, also for families.

The Kleine Kanzel offers a beautiful viewpoint on the Hohe Wand with a wide view over the surrounding landscape. Especially with clear visibility, the panorama extends far into the foothills and over the wooded heights of the region. A worthwhile spot for a short break and a beautiful photo opportunity along the hiking route.