Mostviertel

Introducing Mostviertel

The Mostviertel, in Lower Austria’s southwestern corner, takes its name from apple cider which is produced and consumed in the area. By Lower Austrian standards, the landscape is spectacular, with the eastern Alps ever-present in its southern reaches. It’s largely ignored by international tourists and is certainly an area off the beaten track.

One town not to be missed is Waidhofen an der Ybbs, with historic gabled houses, arcaded courtyards and dramatic onion domes. Staff at its tourist office (07442-511 255; www.waidhofen.at; Schlossweg 2; 9am-6pm) have information on the town and the eight mountain bike trails of varying degrees of difficulty around Waidhofen. Mountain bikes are available free of charge between 10am and 6pm, Thursday to Sunday from May to October (maximum period one week). Pick up the key to the lock and the tour map from the tourist office, and then the bike from the Sporthalle (sport hall) on Oskar-Czeija-Strasse.

From Gstadt, Bundesstrasse 31 leads through some lovely mountainous country and a string of pretty little villages such as Göstling, Lunz am See and Gaming.

In the eastern fringes of the Mostviertel, and only 23km south of St Pölten, is the Cistercian monastery (02762-524 20; www.stift-lilienfeld.at; Klosterrotte 1; tours adult/student & child €7/4, admission without tour €3/1; 8am-noon & 1-5pm, tours 10am & 2pm Mon-Sat, 2pm Sun) of Lilienfeld. Founded in 1202, the foundations of the monastery are Romanesque, but have received Gothic and baroque make-overs.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009