Those looking to combine moorland, trails and local history will find several options in Schrems: the Hochmoor Nature Park, routes of varying lengths, the UnterWasserReich and cultural activities. A brewery tour and the Moorbad are also possible activities. When planning, it is worth checking the route details and which visits require an appointment.
Moorland and the UnterWasserReich
The Schrems Hochmoor Nature Park covers 119 hectares of the approximately 300-hectare moorland area between Langschwarza, Gebharts and Schrems. It is part of the “Waldviertler Teiche, Moore und Flüsse” Ramsar site. Along the Hochmoor hiking trail, you can spot yellow water lilies, moor frogs and dragonflies, as well as carnivorous plants such as sundews and bladderworts.
A barrier-free boardwalk leads directly into the moor from the UnterWasserReich Nature Park Centre. Check the condition of the boardwalk before your visit. At the UnterWasserReich, an interactive exhibition and a water garden designed to resemble a natural habitat explore the world of the Waldviertel’s ponds and moors. The entire site is barrier-free and is also suitable as an excursion destination in bad weather.
A wide, easy-to-walk, stroller-friendly path leads from the UnterWasserReich visitor centre to the Himmelsleiter in about 15 minutes. Alongside the Himmelsleiter, the barefoot trail, introduced in September 2025, offers a playful way to explore cones, moss and stones with the soles of your feet. Along with the exhibition and water garden, visitors can choose from trails and an opportunity to explore different materials.
Trails through the town, forest and moor
The 3 km Culture Trail passes the town’s sights. The 14 km “Moor und Feld” route starts at the main square, crosses the moorland and the former “Torfstich” peat-cutting site, then returns to the town centre. The marked 4.6 km Forest and Wildlife Route starts in Eugenia. The 3.8 km “Gemütliche Runde” begins at the forest lodge, passes through the forest and returns to the starting point. This gives you a choice of a themed town trail, two forest trails and a longer moorland route.
There are also routes for cyclists: the municipality of Schrems lies within the broader Waldviertel cycle route area. The Herrenteich route is suitable for families and follows gravel, field and meadow paths. Check the route conditions before setting out.
Local history and culture
The Schrems Town Museum documents the town’s social and economic history, with a focus on the stone industry, and also displays materials relating to Schrems’ medical past. The museum is currently closed. The Kunstmuseum Waldviertel is located in Schrems on a 12,000 m² site.
The Wald4tler Hoftheater Pürbach has an auditorium with 176 seats, a theatre café and a landscaped courtyard. Its programme and facilities may change. The theatre’s combination of a performance venue and courtyard makes it another cultural option, if a suitable visit is of interest to you.
Outdoor swimming pool and visits
The Schrems Moorbad is a natural-style outdoor swimming pool; its moor-rich water comes from the nearby Hochmoor Nature Park. On the south shore, facilities include wooden and grass terraces, a sunbathing lawn, four jetties, a sandy beach and a beach volleyball court. Details may change or facilities may be unavailable seasonally. Check in advance which facilities are important for your visit.
The Schrems brewery offers an approximately 90-minute brewery tour with tasting by prior arrangement. Arrange your visit in advance. The Waldviertler Werkstätten in Schrems offer tours of their shoe production; check tour times before your visit. These visits complement the nature trails with activities that require advance appointment or time planning.
Discover more destinations: Waldenstein, Eggern, Sankt Martin, Moorbad Harbach, Hoheneich, Hirschenwies, Litschau, Heidenreichstein
For the broader travel overview: GmĂĽnd.
