The easy, 13.02-kilometre Kalkstein loop starts and ends at Ernstbrunn’s main square. It offers a clearly defined hiking route; other activities focus on different things—from wildlife watching and an immersive guided tour to cultural and landscape history. As you plan, consider which of these you want to shape your stay.
Hiking, watching wildlife and spending time outdoors
The Ernsti children’s adventure trail starts at Ernstbrunn station and leads to the children’s railway. Its route differs from that of the Kalkstein loop, which returns to its starting point at the main square. The Kalkstein loop is described as easy, and its distance is specified; Ernsti connects two clearly named destinations.
At Ernstbrunn Wildlife Park, you can watch red deer, fallow deer, sika deer and mouflons in walk-through enclosures. The wildlife park also has a playground by Ziegelofenteich. If you’re interested in cycling, the Leiser Berge Mountain Bike Arena has several named routes, including Oberleis Klassik, Leiser Hügeltour and Wildpark Wolfsrunde.
The Weinviertel railbike offers a different way to experience the route: it runs from Ernstbrunn to Asparn an der Zaya. From Ernstbrunn to Grafensulz, the route climbs gently and offers views of the Weinviertel hills. The ride then descends into the Zaya valley.
A guided tour offering a glimpse into research
The Wolf Science Center’s 1.5-hour adventure tour offers insights into research and the daily work with wolves and dogs. Its duration is a practical point of reference when planning your time. A short presentation with a wolf, during which you can see people and animals in action, is considered the highlight of the tour. This makes the experience different from a hike or a ride: the focus is on research and working with the animals.
History across museums, buildings and archaeology
The Ernstbrunn Local History Museum takes you through the history of the Ernstbrunn area. The tour includes finds from prehistoric times, the Middle Ages, the past two centuries and the present day. A dedicated room for art and culture combines temporary exhibitions with individual works on permanent display. The museum therefore offers both a historical tour and art shown temporarily and permanently.
The buildings, too, offer different perspectives on the past. Ernstbrunn Castle has four romantic courtyards; construction of the entire complex took place between the 11th and 18th centuries. The Maria Oberleis pilgrimage church was built around 1050 and lies on the Weinviertel Way of St James. In BrĂĽndl, the HeilbrĂĽndl spring was first mentioned in official records in 1432, when it was already being used for cures. The small MarienbrĂĽndl Chapel was built in 1837 in remembrance of the healing spring.
Archaeological finds on Oberleiser Berg attest to settlement there since prehistoric times. During the Iron Age, from around 800 to 15 BC, an important Celtic hilltop settlement developed there, serving as a place to live and a trading post. These sites place the area’s history in different periods: from early traces of settlement and the Iron Age hilltop settlement to buildings and museum collections from later centuries.
Plan your visit around local produce and transport
The Simonsfeld farmers’ market is a weekly market for direct sales of local produce. It offers regional vegetables, wine, bread, pastries, schnapps and honey, as well as products from sheep, goats and pigs. Local crafts round out the selection. Alongside hiking and culture, this offers a tangible connection to regional food and crafts.
You can reach Ernstbrunn from Vienna via Korneuburg on the ErlebnisZug Leiser Berge train. For your specific journey, it’s a good idea to check the current timetable. If you’re looking for a holiday apartment for your stay, first consider whether hiking, wildlife watching, the adventure tour or history will be your main focus. This will help you tailor your search for a holiday apartment to your chosen interests.
Discover more destinations: Bisamberg, Stetten, Langenzersdorf, GroĂźruĂźbach, Tresdorf, RuĂźbach, Niederhollabrunn, Untermallebarn.
View the overview of the wider area: Korneuburg.
