Via Verde Hauptstrecke

The Via Verde is a cross-border cycling route in the northern Waldviertel region that connects the tourist and scenic highlights of the municipalities of Moorbad Harbach and Horní Stropnice (CZ). Cultural highlights such as the pilgrimage church in Dobrá Voda or the Garden of Human Rights can be found along the route , as well as scenic viewpoints (the Kraví Hora observation tower, Nebelstein) and additional tourist infrastructure such as the Motorikpark in Hirschenwies. Along the trail, there are nine stations (some equipped as rest areas) that explore the theme of the border from various perspectives or provide detailed documentation of the route.

An ideal starting point is the main square in the town of Harbach. After a short walk, you’ll cross the Harbach/Sejby border crossing. There, you can take your first short break and admire the newly built stone spiral. The route then leads slightly downhill along the Strobnitz River to Horní Stropnice. From there, the trail winds uphill toward Dobrá Voda. From there, you can enjoy a wonderful view toward Nové Hrady. The trail continues uphill and via Hojna Voda to Kraví Hora. Here, you can choose to follow the main route or take a detour to the right to the transmission tower—which has been converted into an observation tower—to enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the Silva Nortica. The next section of the route is a delight; it leads through the “Green Belt” across the border toward Hirschenwies. There, the hosts at Xundheitswelt offer an excellent opportunity to take a break and enjoy regional delicacies. Athletic cyclists can choose the additional route over the Nebelstein here and rejoin the main route in Maißen, which serves as a leisurely shortcut. In Lauterbach, be sure to plan a visit to the Garden of Human Rights. The penultimate section is slightly hilly and leads past Moorbad Harbach to Wultschau. The final section leads slightly uphill back to the starting point in Moorbad Harbach. The route is signposted throughout, can of course be ridden in both directions, and runs exclusively on roads with little traffic. E-bikes can be rented from several businesses in the Xundheitswelt. The project was funded by the EU as part of an ETZ project and was awarded the Milestone Prize by the State of Lower Austria in 2012. (See the press release in the appendix.) In 2012–2013, the route is set to be expanded and made more attractive as part of new projects.

From St. Pölten on the S33 to Krems, then via the B37 and B38 to Zwettl, continuing on the B119 to Weitra, then on the B41 via Alt Weitra, Dietmanns, and Gmünd to Moorbad Harbach.

From Vienna, take the A22 and S5 to Krems, then the B37 and B38 to Zwettl, continue on the B119 to Weitra, then take the B41 via Alt Weitra, Dietmanns, and Gmünd to Moorbad Harbach.

Coming from the west, head to Linz, continue on the A7 to Unterweitersdorf—take the S10 to the Sandl exit—take the B38 to Karlstift—then take the B41 via Alt Weitra, Dietmanns, and Gmünd to Moorbad Harbach.