Pferdeeisenbahn Wanderweg - Etappe 4

The horse-drawn railway hiking trail runs in four stages from Leopoldschlag (border with the Czech Republic) to Linz or vice versa.


Interesting bridge constructions, well-preserved railway keeper's cottages and a mighty station building of our country's first railway can be seen on this hiking trail. As most of the hiking trail in the municipality of Rainbach runs along the former route of the horse-drawn railway, you often hike along existing railway embankments through shady forests.

Through the Gallneukirchen basin
In the Gallneukirchen basin, only small sections of the original railway line have been preserved due to the busy settlement development. The hairpin bend below Punzenberg with its elaborate embankment and culvert is very well preserved in this area.

Note: The station building in Oberndorf (today's Hotel Waldheimat) in the municipality of Gallneukirchen was built in 1831/1832.

TIP: Be sure to plan a longer stay in Gallneukirchen. In addition to the many shopping opportunities and the excellent gastronomic offerings, a circular walk to the old "Gugalää" place of execution further north to Riedegg Castle is highly recommended. The castle, which was first mentioned in 1150, houses an African museum as well as interesting rooms for organising seminars and training courses. The inner courtyard of the castle ruins is ideal for organising festivities and celebrations. The former monks' cells in the castle have been carefully converted into a medical centre with the character of a sanatorium. Here, we specialists and therapists have come together to form an interdisciplinary team called "Adfontes". After Riedegg Castle, the trail continues through woods and meadows and back to the horse-drawn railway track (Oberndorf station building or Hotel Waldheimat with overnight accommodation - highly recommended).

"Town in sight"
After Gallneukirchen, the horse-drawn railway trail leads us to Engerwitzdorf. To the west of Schweinbach, the route runs across hilly meadows and then through sparsely populated areas. Special moments are provided by the many unusual views of the provincial capital Linz, which has already moved closer.

"The legendary horse-drawn railway promenade"
The magnificent horse-drawn railway promenade in Linz, which winds its way over high retaining walls and stone bridges through the shady mixed forest, is probably one of the best-preserved and, above all, best-maintained sections of the horse-drawn railway line. Depending on the direction of travel, St. Magdalena is the start or end point of a romantic journey into times long past. In St. Magdalena, you almost have to take a break on the wonderful panoramic terrace of the Romantikgasthof Oberwirt before you set off into the urban life of Linz.

Note: The painting with the parish church of St Magdalena in the background shows Emperor Franz I and his wife at the opening in 1832. Site manager Matthias Schönerer explains the project from the back seat.

TIP: The European Capital of Culture invites you...
"Linz.changes," is the slogan of Linz, the city on the Danube with a lot to discover. Linz was not only the European Capital of Culture in 2009, but has also developed from a grey industrial city into a radiant and economically successful cultural metropolis. A modern city full of dynamism and with a high quality of life awaits its visitors. Linz is a stage for the finest theatre and music, as well as for contemporary art, history and science in its museums.