The thousands of fruit trees blossoming are one of many springtime highlights in Austria. A great place to see this wonderful natural spectacle is the Mostviertel region.
The Mostviertel region in the southeastern part of Lower Austria offers a wide range of activities and is an all-year travel destination. Notwithstanding, I especially love travelling in the region in early springtime. Mostviertel is a great place to hike, but if you visit only for a few days, I recommend driving.
Pear tree blossom
The pear trees usually blossom from mid-April to the beginning of May. It’s a fantastic sight when the trees sprinkle the freshly green pastures with bright white and pink flowers. The Mostviertel benefits from both Atlantic and Pannonian climatic influences. Consequently, fruit, grapes, and vegetables thrive in this mild and sunny climate. The name Mostviertel is derived from the region’s traditional production of Perry (Most), which is just as complex as winemaking. Don’t forget to pick a bottle or two of the pear wine.
Scenic Mostviertel routes
To cover as much of the region as possible in a few days, I drove along the so-called Panoramahöhenweg (Panorama High Road). This is more than simply a road and a network of different scenic routes. The roads take you around the most beautiful and exciting parts of the Mostviertel region. The network of minor roads connecting all the farms and villages in the region is paved and in excellent condition. Therefore, ample opportunities exist to stop along the routes for photos and a picnic.
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Sonntagberg Basilica
I chose the Sonntagberg Basilica as our point of departure. The Basilica is a well-known pilgrim destination and an architectonic gem by itself. Its location on top of a hill gives you magnificent views over the region, from the Danube Valley in the north and right into the Alps in the south. In addition to the beautiful views, you will also find nice picnic spots, farms selling their produce, and eateries. If you plan, you can even order and pick up a picnic basket from a local delicatessen along the way. Next, I drove to the small village of St. Leonhard am Walde and went on Route 3 to Windhag.
Picnic with a view
Just beyond the hilltop hamlet Windhag, I found the perfect spot for a little lunch break. Leaving Windhag and its lovely views was not easy, but I also wanted to visit Waidhofen an der Ybbs for the day’s round. Situated on the river Ybbs, in a valley surrounded by green hills, Waidhofen has an idyllic historic centre and some interesting historic buildings, such as Palace Rotchild and the towers that used to be part of a defensive wall in the Middle Ages. There are also plenty of accommodations and eateries if you stay for a day or two.
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Fun for everyone
The Mostviertel is, of course, much more than beautiful nature and pear trees. The area offers lots of fun, from scenic flights by small airplanes to museums. So whether you prefer to stay on firm ground or enjoy more adrenalin-filled activities, there is something to be had for everyone. For family fun, you can visit a llama farm, game parks, a pleasure park with a miniature railway and much more.
Check out the Mostviertel Tourist Office website for more info.
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