The best running trails in St. Pölten

The Mariazell Railway is more than just a means of transport; it's an experience that whisks travelers away to the picturesque landscapes of Lower Austria and Styria. Your journey begins at St. Pölten Central Station, where the modern trains – known as the "Stairway to Heaven" – depart daily. The connection to Mariazell offers not only comfort but also a stress-free way to enjoy the beauty of nature. Over a distance of 85 kilometers, the train winds its way through the idyllic Dirndl Valley to its destination, the famous pilgrimage site of Mariazell. With a travel time of approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, passengers have ample opportunity to admire the breathtaking views. The journey climbs 619 meters in altitude, reaching its highest point in the impressive Gösing Tunnel, which, at 2,369 meters, is the longest tunnel on this route.

A bike trip to the government district of St. Pölten is definitely worthwhile. This modern district lies directly on the Traisen River and is easily accessible via the Traisental Cycle Path. Between the Landhaus (state government building), the Festspielhaus (festival hall), the Museum Niederösterreich (Museum of Lower Austria), and the striking Klangturm (sound tower), the largely car-free area can be comfortably explored by bicycle. Wide paths, plenty of greenery, and good cycle connections make the government district a pleasant stopover or starting point for further tours along the Traisen or towards the Danube.

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.

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

The Ratzersdorfer See in St. Pölten was created in the 1970s as a local recreation area and offers numerous leisure activities. It is an artificially created bathing lake. The sports and leisure facilities include beach volleyball courts, a basketball and football pitch, and a mini golf course. There are restaurants to cater for your physical well-being, and you can take a short break here during your tour. The lake is easily accessible by bike via the Traisental cycle path. Admission is free.

St. Pölten main station is very easy to reach by bike. Numerous cycle paths lead from the station into the surrounding area, including the Traisental cycle path, which connects directly to the station. There are bicycle parking facilities nearby, including special parking spaces in the parking garage at the station. The station is a good starting point for cycling tours in and around St. Pölten. St. Pölten main station, built in 1858, is an important transport hub in Lower Austria and connects the city to numerous destinations in Austria and beyond, including Vienna, Salzburg and Munich. The station was extensively renovated and modernized between 2006 and 2010.

The sound tower rises as a prominent point in the Landhausviertel and was described by the architect Ernst Hoffmann as a "symbol of imagination in the heart of the administration". With a height of 77 meters, it is almost as high as St. Pölten Cathedral. Despite its massive structure made of 650 tons of steel and around 1,000 square meters of glass, the sound tower appears astonishingly light and transparent. The delicate and airy construction on a base area of 15 by 15 meters offers a viewing platform at a height of 47 meters, which can be reached via 280 steps or a panoramic lift. From up there, an impressive panorama opens up over the government district, the cultural district and the surrounding landscape. Source: www.niederoesterreich.at/ausflugsziele/a-klangturm-st-poelten

On one side is the bus station and on the other side you are immediately in the FUZO - station offers are McDonalds, ÖBB information center, bakery, tobacconist, Okay food, closed heated waiting room....