In Purkersdorf, nature experiences in the nature park sit alongside urban history around the castle and museum. When planning your visit, you can choose different focuses, such as the Flysch outcrops at the former quarry, hiking options or historical exhibitions. This lets you shape your stay around the topics that interest you most.
Arrive and explore the nature park
The main entrance to Purkersdorf Nature Park at Kellerwiese is a few minutes from Purkersdorf-Zentrum REX50/S50 train station and right next to the Purkersdorf-Kellerwiese bus stop. This is a useful landmark for arriving by public transport. The nature park’s attractions range from geology and animal enclosures to a sensory trail: the large animal enclosure is home to sheep and donkeys, and there are also three wildlife enclosures. The “Blind Date” trail engages the senses with nature in every season.
The architecture of the observation towers is another distinctive feature: the Rudolfshöhe observation tower is a timber-framed structure with a covered platform 26 metres above the ground. It stands within the municipality of Purkersdorf. The former Dambach sandstone quarry is also located on the northeastern edge of Purkersdorf. Its visible outcrops reveal the Flysch zone of the Vienna Woods—another nature-related feature, distinct from the animal enclosures and sensory trail.
Hiking trails with different starting points
Hikers can choose from two clearly named options with different starting points. The “Tut gut!” hiking trail starts at the Hochramalpe recreation inn. Since 2022, it has comprised three routes in Purkersdorf, covering a total of 29.3 kilometres. By contrast, the first section of the Austrian Way of St James west of Vienna begins at the gate of St James’s Church and runs from Purkersdorf to Göttweig. The details about where they start and where they go make it easy to distinguish the two trails: they are different routes, not one shared trail.
The castle and urban history
Purkersdorf Castle dates back to the early Babenberg period. It was originally built as a moated castle with strong walls. Since 1986, the ground floor of the castle has housed the Purkersdorf Town Museum, which documents the town’s history and development. The museum is not open continuously; visits are possible by appointment. Enquiries about visiting should be made by email. Plan your museum visit with this arrangement in mind rather than treating it as an attraction that is spontaneously available at any time.
A special exhibit is the post bus in a display garage at the entrance to Purkersdorf Castle. The vehicle dates from the second half of the 19th century and operated on the Vienna–Purkersdorf–Sieghartskirchen route. It had 14 seats in three fare classes and is considered the only surviving vehicle of its type in Europe. The castle grounds thus bring together the town’s development and a tangible piece of transport history. The former Josef Hoffmann Sanatorium adds to the architectural history as a unique Art Nouveau building.
Nature, everyday life and activities
The Wienerwaldhaus in Purkersdorf Nature Park is the “First Austrian Self-Service Window Museum”. It offers a glimpse into the living quarters of Vienna Woods farmers and their way of life and work 100 years ago. Together with the town museum, it offers a different focus from the trails and animal enclosures: the emphasis is on historical living conditions and ways of life, not on a hiking route.
Those interested in climbing can find challenging obstacles, flying fox lines, and rope and bridge structures at Purkersdorf Climbing Park. The seven courses have varying levels of difficulty and range from 2 to 14 metres in height. Since 2022, there have also been two dedicated little-kids’ trails and three dedicated flying fox courses.
The farmers’ and weekly market run by the Municipality of Purkersdorf also has a regular place in the townscape: it is held in the main square.
Discover more destinations: Gablitz, Tullnerbach-Lawies, Rauchenwarth, Fischamend Dorf, Maria Lanzendorf, Schwadorf, Gramatneusiedl, Schwechat-Mannswörth.
Go to the overview of the wider region: Wien-Umgebung.
