Dunkelsteinerwald, a region in Lower Austria situated between Melk, Krems, and St. Pölten, offers a diverse landscape for outdoor activities. The area is characterized by hilly terrain, with elevations reaching up to 700 meters, and features extensive dense forests covering 99 km². It also includes open arable land, small fields, and areas with vineyards, providing varied backdrops for exploration. From elevated points, views extend across the Danube valley and towards the foothills of the Alps, making it suitable for several sports like hiking, mountain biking, road cycling, touring cycling, and more.
Dunkelsteinerwald provides a range of outdoor activities across its varied landscape. Users can find more than 100 routes for several sports like hiking, mountain biking, road cycling, touring cycling, and more. The region's appeal is reflected by more than 466,000 visitors who have shared their experiences, resulting in an average rating of 4.58 out of 5 stars. For hikers, an extensive network of trails, including the 160-kilometer "Dunkelsteinerwald-Runde," offers routes through dense forests and along historical paths. The hilly terrain also provides diverse cycling opportunities, with mountain biking trails often incorporating historical sites like Aggstein Castle ruins, and road cycling routes featuring challenging climbs and scenic views. For detailed information on specific activities, explore guides such as Hiking in Dunkelsteinerwald, MTB Trails in Dunkelsteinerwald, and Road Cycling Routes in Dunkelsteinerwald.
186
Routes
4.6
(1830)
Average rating
13591
People visited

4.6
(79)
420
hikers
10.3km
03:38
480m
470m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.7
(136)
475
hikers
11.7km
03:19
270m
270m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(55)
315
hikers
5.20km
01:48
280m
280m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(148)
631
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.8
(459)
3,020
riders
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.9
(20)
173
riders
21.9km
01:41
430m
430m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(6)
59
riders
38.4km
02:25
330m
330m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
71
riders
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.6
(33)
196
riders
46.5km
03:17
790m
790m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(19)
112
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(22)
93
riders
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.5
(18)
77
riders
52.3km
03:14
620m
620m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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4.5
(13)
271
riders
39.4km
01:44
250m
250m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.5
(8)
188
riders
50.8km
02:24
570m
570m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

5.0
(3)
105
riders
44.7km
02:44
750m
750m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

5.0
(1)
94
riders
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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20
runners
5.04km
00:34
140m
140m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

16
runners
4.62km
00:56
440m
440m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

6
runners
6.90km
00:50
160m
160m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
10
runners
20.3km
02:42
690m
690m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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5.0
(4)
18
riders
54.0km
03:33
890m
890m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(5)
54
riders
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.0
(1)
39
riders
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

5.0
(2)
19
riders
47.3km
03:07
880m
880m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
12
hikers
11.5km
03:57
470m
470m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

7
hikers
5.10km
02:42
510m
510m
Hard mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

10
hikers
4.64km
02:04
440m
440m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
7
hikers
5.65km
01:45
140m
140m
Hard mountaineering route. Great for any fitness level. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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Dunkelsteinerwald offers a diverse landscape suitable for various outdoor activities, including Hiking, Mountain biking, Road cycling, and Touring cycling. The region features more than 180 routes across these sports. These routes have received an average rating of 4.58 out of 5 stars from users.
The Dunkelsteinerwald region features an extensive network of hiking trails, including the 100-mile (160-kilometer) 'Dunkelsteinerwald-Runde' (DUR) which connects many scenic spots. A section of the Austrian Way of St. James also passes through, linking Göttweig Abbey to Melk Abbey. For more options, explore the Hiking in Dunkelsteinerwald guide.
Yes, Dunkelsteinerwald offers hiking routes suitable for beginners. These trails typically feature less challenging terrain and shorter distances. Specific easy routes can be found in the Easy hikes in Dunkelsteinerwald guide.
Dunkelsteinerwald provides several hiking options suitable for families. These routes are generally shorter and less strenuous, designed to be enjoyable for all ages. Information on these trails is available in the Family-friendly hikes in Dunkelsteinerwald guide.
Yes, many trails in Dunkelsteinerwald are dog-friendly, allowing visitors to explore the region with their pets. It is advisable to keep dogs on a leash, especially in nature conservation areas or near wildlife. Consult the Dog-friendly hikes in Dunkelsteinerwald guide for specific routes.
Key attractions include historical sites like Aggstein Castle ruins and the Gothic winged altar in Mauer. Panoramic viewpoints, such as the Ferdinandwarte lookout tower at Oberbergern, offer views over the Danube valley and towards the Alps. The Gurhofgraben nature reserve is also a notable natural feature.
Public transport options are available to reach various trailheads in Dunkelsteinerwald. Some routes are specifically designed to start from bus stations, providing convenient access without a car. For routes accessible via public transport, refer to the Hikes from bus stations in Dunkelsteinerwald guide.
Dunkelsteinerwald offers mountain biking trails ranging from moderate to challenging, often incorporating historical sites like Aggstein Castle ruins. The hilly terrain provides diverse riding experiences. More details on routes can be found in the MTB Trails in Dunkelsteinerwald guide.
Road cycling in Dunkelsteinerwald features routes through a hilly landscape, offering challenging climbs and scenic views. Some routes include steep ascents and connect to the Danube Cycle Path. Explore options in the Road Cycling Routes in Dunkelsteinerwald guide.
Dunkelsteinerwald is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 466,000 visitors having shared their experiences. The region's 181 routes have accumulated over 66,000 ratings, averaging 4.58 out of 5 stars.
Komoot offers several guides for Dunkelsteinerwald, covering various activities and interests. These include guides for Hiking, Family-friendly hikes, MTB Trails, and Road Cycling Routes.
For official information regarding the Dunkelsteinerwald region, visitors can consult the website of the Marktgemeinde Dunkelsteinerwald. The official website is http://www.dunkelsteinerwald.gv.at. Inquiries can also be made by phone at +43 2752 8246.

