Thaya Circuit Cycle Trail

Cycling along disused railway tracks

The cycling paradise of the Thayaland region offers 111 km of leisurely cycling. The Thaya Circuit Cycle Trail mainly runs along old train tracks and is particularly suitable for families because of its gentle terrain. The heart of this trail comprises two abandoned railway lines – between Göpfritz an der Wild and Raabs an der Thaya and between Waidhofen an der Thaya and Slavonice in South Bohemia, Czech Republic. It offers a unique experience of nature for both young and old. 

Back then, the steam locomotives couldn’t manage steep climbs and the railways engineers made the landscape less steep. This means it is now ideal for a leisurely bike ride – particularly for families.

There is a lot to discover on the trail: old relics of the railway, the milestones, which testify the exact number of kilometres travelled and the hedgerows of wild fruit, which invite you to stop for a quick snack.

In Dobersberg Nature Park you will find the exciting rock formations of the Farnschlucht (Farn Gorge). The banks of the meandering River Thaya are thick with alder, willow and birth. Cyclists can marvel from the cycle trail.

At places to swim along the cycle trail you can still find the rare Thaya mussels in the sand. Back in times of crises, people used them to make pearl buttons. Today Thaya mussels are protected and they may no longer be used for making buttons. There are attractions along the entire route: in Thaya you can marvel at the Haidlkeller, which can be visited by boat. In Waidhofen is the world’s largest aviary, the Waldrapp. Raabs an der Thaya has the Bücherburg, a castle, and the huge ruins of Kollmitz, while in Groß Siegharts there is a textile museum that introduces the town’s textile tradition.

The large bridges give you a great view of the Thaya’s beauty and power. In summer, the large number of places to swim offer an opportunity to cool off, while the wooden beach huts recall the Thayaland’s heyday as a summer resort. Don’t miss out on the chance to swim in this natural environment.