Michelbacher Observatory Trail Variant 1

The rapid ascent through a partly gloomy, peculiar forest - characterized towards the end by elder trees and ferns - quickly gains us height. From the Tarnhof chapel, we hike gently uphill with the most wonderful views to the rustic Kukubauerhütte, which offers food and accommodation. Just as quickly, it goes downhill again - passing 'idyllic spots' along partially rough but charismatic paths and through a dense beech forest, with the typical Wienerwald ravines created by inconspicuous little streams. A special feature is the Lower Austria public observatory (Antares association) located on the route. On special guided days between March and November, interested visitors can observe various celestial phenomena at the Antares observatory and receive expert explanations.
In the village itself, we have the possibility for catering and a local supplier.

Center of Michelbach

Route description Michelbacher Observatory Trail Variant 1

We start in the beautiful town center of Michelbach. Opposite the elementary school parking lot, we walk past the fortified church, slightly uphill along an 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 leads us briefly across an asphalt road to the Griessler property, then along a footpath through a shady, damp forest, along old hollow roads, to the Tarnhof country house. Up to the right, we reach the Tarnhof chapel and out of the forest further to the Berghof with its well-kept chapel. Now the path winds over coarse gravel further to the Lower Austria public observatory, which can be visited on weekends. Over the anniversary meadow and the following ridge path, with the best views north and south, we reach the Kukubauerhütte, which offers food, accommodation, and views to the north as far as Göttweig and the Waldviertel massif. The short ascent to the Heimkehrer Cross, at 782 m the highest point of Michelbach, is worthwhile.
For the return of the first variant of the hike, we walk about 100 m back along the way we came, then descend left downwards - the white/blue marking guides us - to the Gugabauer property. There we cross the road down to the Dörrhaus, continue across a meadow past a beautiful group of trees, and literally 'slip' into the forest at the marked spot. Now a winding footpath leads us through forest and across little streams steadily down to a gravel road, which again leads downwards to the state road. We turn east (right) and reach the starting point of the hike after about 1.2 km.