Michelbach Observatory Trail Variant 2

The rapid ascent through a partly dark, peculiar forest - characterized at the end by elder shrubs and ferns - lets us quickly gain altitude. From the Tarnhof chapel we hike gently ascending with a wonderful view to the rustic Kukubauer hut, which offers food and accommodation. West of the hut we come to a magnificent pre-alpine panorama and then to the Wind Cross Chapel, an old border point and place of some traditional mystical events. Over the Hackerbauer farms, the Gaishof saddle, the Bishop's height and the Ötzelsberg we hike the entire ridge that surrounds the Michelbach valley. This provides the best panoramic views, including excellent views of St. Pölten and Ötscher, while also the surrounding isolated farms with their orchard meadows and pastures delight our senses from every perspective. A special feature on the route is the Lower Austria Public Observatory (Antares Association). On special guided days between March and November, visitors can observe and have various celestial phenomena explained at the Antares observatory. In the village itself there is the possibility for food and a local supplier.

Michelbach town center

Route description Michelbach Observatory Trail Variant 2

We start in the beautiful town center of Michelbach. Opposite the primary school parking lot we go past the fortified church up a slight alley. After about 150 m we follow the signpost to the left up stone steps into the parish forest. The blue/green marked hiking trail takes us briefly across an asphalt road to the Griessler property, then along a footpath through a shady, damp forest, along old hollow paths, to the Tarnhof country house. Up on the right we reach the Tarnhof chapel and continue out of the forest to the mountain farm with its well-maintained chapel. Now the path winds over coarse gravel further to the Lower Austria Public Observatory, which can be visited on weekends. Over the anniversary pasture and the following ridge path, with the best views to the north and south, we reach the Kukubauer hut, which offers food, accommodation, and views north to Göttweig and the Waldviertel massif. The short ascent to the Heimkehrer Cross, at 782 m the highest point of Michelbach, is worthwhile.
The hike continues west (yellow marking) and takes us through a forest reminiscent of dwarfs and fairies to a magnificent pre-alpine panorama. Straight ahead we almost reach the Wind Cross Chapel - an old border point. With the chapel in sight, we turn right heading north, following the 'Michelbach' signpost - hiking over a dreamlike meadow path to the Oberhackerbauer property and continuing across the road to Unterhackerbauer. At the bend below the property we leave the asphalt road and take the gravel path down to the Gaishof saddle. There a pear tree still guides us across the meadow to the forest before the Gaishof - passing through a lovely hornbeam woodland on the right we reach a hill with views of St. Pölten and shortly after Ötscher. Past the young linden tree at the highest point, our path continues east, hiking along the ridge through a small forest, along a row of larches, crossing a hiking trail junction straight ahead. Further on the ridge, we keep left after entering the forest, follow the blue/yellow marking down to the Hochgern property and further back towards the Michelbach valley to the Kaiblinger farm with a well-kept chapel and a remarkable holly bush. Along the forest edge downhill, we come to the Hinterleitner chapel. At the foot of Michelbach we hike from the chapel off-trail across meadows straight to the south-facing settlement and further downhill to the state road. Now turn right - after about 250 m we are back at the starting point.