The best hikes from bus stations around Wörterberg

A shady rest area and a pretty shrine.

The unregulated course of the Lafnitz River, especially downstream from the Stögersbach confluence, represents a unique biotope in Central Europe. With its approximately 40 meanders, this section is the most intricately structured part of the entire river course, offering a multitude of habitats for both flora and fauna. The undisturbed flow dynamics are enhanced by heavy summer rainfall, which frequently leads to flooding. These floods promote the pronounced erosion of the banks, a phenomenon known in ecology as cut and point banks. An important aspect of this nature reserve is the breeding population of typical river bird species such as the little ringed plover (Charadrius dubius), the common sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos), and the common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), which depend on these specially shaped banks. In addition, the extensive unregulated sections of the Lafnitz, together with the Raab River, provide habitat for the endangered European otter (Lutra lutra). This species, which in Austria is mainly found in the waters of the Mühlviertel and Waldviertel regions as well as on the lower reaches of the Raab, Lafnitz and Feistritz rivers, benefits from an intact and diverse aquatic landscape, which is essential for its reproduction and foraging.

passathon südburgenland - 2025

Small sacred monuments depicting the crucified Christ can be found not only in villages and towns or in nature, but also in literature. Perhaps the most famous crucifix of this type can be found in the work of Giovanni Guareschi (1908 to 1968). He is the spiritual father of the humorous stories about the two protagonists 'Don Camillo' and 'Peppone'. Guareschi incorporated another main character into his stories – known and popular far beyond Italy's borders –: the crucified Christ, who speaks to Don Camillo from the crucifix on the high altar. The author himself makes the following comment: "So one must explain: If the priests feel offended by Don Camillo, they can smash a candlestick on my skull for all I care; if the communists feel offended by Peppone, they can break a club on my back; but if someone feels offended by Christ's speeches, there's nothing one can do. Whoever speaks in my stories... is my Christ, that is, the voice of my conscience. My personal business, my cause. And therefore: each for himself, and God for all." (G. Guareschi)

The obelisk of this war memorial is crowned by an eagle, the proud heraldic animal of many nations. The dialect group "Bläck Fööss" from Cologne (North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany) wrote a song about a memorial to the fallen in Cologne's Südstadt district, which is also crowned by an eagle. The lyrics by Hans Knipp read: "But as long as the eagle stands on the stone, as long as it lasts, it will be good, for when it once flew, it only brought misery and trouble. When I see a lonely shadow above me in the stone, then I think of you and myself, and I have only one wish, that the eagle never flees again." Anyone who is not afraid of the Rhenish dialect and would like to listen to the anti-war song of the Bläck Fööss can do so at the following link =>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKjl50KrqC0

Memorial stone for special services to flood protection.

Cozy rest area with information boards along the cycle path.

A wonderful observation tower offers a fantastic view of the surrounding area. There's also a rest area with information boards below.