Dunkelsteinerwald is a region in Lower Austria, situated between St. Pölten, Krems, and Melk. This area is characterized by extensive forests, rolling hills, and steep slopes descending to the Danube River. Its name, meaning "Dark Stone Forest," reflects its heavily forested nature, with nearly 100 km² of mixed forest shaping the core of the region. This varied landscape provides a setting for several sports like road cycling, mountain biking, hiking, touring cycling, and more.
Dunkelsteinerwald offers more than 50 routes for outdoor enthusiasts across several sports like road cycling, mountain biking, hiking, touring cycling, and more. More than 200,000 visitors have shared their experiences, resulting in an average rating of 4.58 out of 5 stars. The region features an extensive network of hiking trails, from river valleys to forested hills, including sections of the Wachau World Heritage Trail; explore options in Hiking around Dunkelsteinerwald. For cyclists, the hilly terrain provides challenging climbs and descents for mountain biking, while low-traffic roads offer varied ascents and descents for road cycling, with additional routes available along the Danube Cycle Path. Find suitable routes in guides like Road Cycling Routes around Dunkelsteinerwald and MTB Trails around Dunkelsteinerwald.
110
Routes
4.6
(211)
Average rating
1357
People visited

4.3
(15)
163
riders
32.1km
01:22
150m
150m
Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

5.0
(1)
71
riders
42.0km
01:51
390m
390m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

28
riders
239km
09:48
1,300m
1,300m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

26
riders
72.8km
03:36
1,060m
1,060m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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4.4
(27)
85
riders
35.0km
01:52
110m
110m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.4
(5)
54
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.0
(3)
24
riders
47.1km
03:29
860m
860m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.7
(6)
16
riders
38.6km
03:23
990m
990m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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4.7
(3)
38
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.4
(5)
39
hikers
10.4km
02:53
190m
190m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(6)
35
hikers
7.77km
02:12
170m
170m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
9
hikers
19.0km
05:45
610m
610m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.5
(4)
37
riders
34.1km
02:18
220m
220m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(4)
10
riders
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
riders
45.9km
03:00
620m
620m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
9
riders
18.8km
01:21
330m
330m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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3.0
(1)
21
runners
18.2km
01:57
110m
110m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
runners
6.74km
00:47
150m
150m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

11
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

8
runners
6.65km
00:41
20m
20m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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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.

4.8
(4)
18
riders
72.4km
04:31
860m
850m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5
riders
21.2km
01:34
560m
560m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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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.

7
hikers
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

5
hikers
8.44km
03:10
480m
480m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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Dunkelsteinerwald offers a variety of outdoor activities, including Road cycling, Mountain biking, Hiking, Touring cycling, Jogging, and Mountaineering. The region features diverse terrain, from river valleys to forested hills, suitable for various fitness levels. More than 80 routes are available on komoot, with an average rating of 4.58 out of 5 stars.
Yes, Dunkelsteinerwald provides diverse road cycling experiences, particularly on low-traffic roads through its hilly core. These routes offer varied ascents and descents, providing a challenge for sportier riders. Shaded mixed forests offer protection from heat. Explore options in the Road Cycling Routes around Dunkelsteinerwald guide.
The hilly landscape of Dunkelsteinerwald offers mountain biking opportunities with challenging climbs and panoramic views. Routes often lead through dense, mystical forests, providing an enchanting atmosphere. Options range from moderate to advanced in terms of fitness and riding skills. Consult the MTB Trails around Dunkelsteinerwald guide for specific routes.
Dunkelsteinerwald features an extensive network of hiking trails, catering to various fitness levels. Notable routes include sections of the 160-kilometer Dunkelsteinerwald-Runde (DUR) and the 180-kilometer Wachau World Heritage Trail. Trails range from river valleys to forested hills, offering challenging ascents and panoramic views. Find suitable routes in the Hiking around Dunkelsteinerwald guide.
Yes, Dunkelsteinerwald offers family-friendly options, particularly for hiking and touring cycling. Flatter cycling routes are available along the edges of the region, including sections of the Danube Cycle Path. For hiking, specific guides like Family-friendly hikes around Dunkelsteinerwald provide suitable routes.
The region is characterized by steep slopes descending to the Danube River, extensive mixed forests, and rolling hills. Key viewpoints include the medieval castle ruins of Aggstein, perched on a 300-meter (984-foot) high rock, and the Ferdinandwarte lookout tower at Oberbergern. These locations offer grand vistas across the Danube valley and the foothills of the Alps.
Dunkelsteinerwald is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 200,000 visitors having shared their experiences. The region's routes have received an average rating of 4.58 out of 5 stars from over 30,000 ratings. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among outdoor enthusiasts.
Komoot offers several guides for Dunkelsteinerwald, covering various sports and interests. These include guides for Road Cycling, Mountain Biking, Hiking, and Touring Cycling. There are also specialized guides for family-friendly hikes and routes accessible from bus stations.
Yes, for more leisurely rides, flatter routes are available along the edges of the region. These include sections of the Danube Cycle Path in the north and the Fladnitztal Cycle Route connecting the Danube with St. Pölten. The Pielachtal Cycle Path also offers a relaxed route with minimal elevation changes. E-bikes can also comfortably tackle the inclines on hillier routes.
Dunkelsteinerwald has a rich historical background, with numerous Roman roads, including a well-preserved stone Roman bridge at Lanzing. The region features many medieval castle ruins, such as Aggstein Castle. Notable religious sites include the pilgrimage church "Maria am grünen Anger" in Mauer and the Aggsbach Charterhouse.
The official website for the municipality of Dunkelsteinerwald is www.dunkelsteinerwald.at. For direct inquiries, the phone number is +43 2752 8246. These resources provide general information about the area's offerings.

