Vienna Woods (Wienerwald)

The Vienna Woods cover a 521-square-mile (1,350-square-kilometer) stretch of forested hills that roll northward toward the Austrian Alps and are a popular destination for walkers and hikers drawn to its well-marked trails, wealth of wildlife, and sweeping vistas. Join a walking or bike tour through the Vienna Woods and up to the Kahlenberg peak for views back across the city. Some day trips to the Vienna Woods also include stops at Mayerling, the formal imperial hunting lodge, as well as the 12th-century Cistercian Abbey of Heiligenkreuz and the historic town of Baden.

• If adventuring through the Wienerwald on the hiking or bike trails, be sure to wear suitable clothing and shoes.

• The woods are dotted with wineries that offer traditional taverns serving food and drinks.

• The trails in the woods are not adapted for wheelchairs or strollers.

The Vienna Woods (Wienerwald) are located north of Vienna along the River Danube. From the city center, take tram 38 to Grinzing on the edge of the Vienna Woods, or join a tour that includes transportation to the woods.

Visit the woods from late spring to early fall to enjoy the seasons’ mild temperatures and sunshine when hiking along the trails and when dining outside at the traditional taverns.

Vine-clad hills cover the Vienna Woods, making Vienna one of the few cities in the world to have its own vineyards. Producing red and dry sparkling white wines, many local cellars run traditional taverns, called heurigen, where local dishes such as schnitzel and strudel are served alongside young wines; on summer days these can be enjoyed on terraces overlooking the vineyards.