Lake promenade
Lake Neusiedl is the hotspot for cyclists and holidaymakers in northern Burgenland. The beach and lake and around 300 days of sunshine a year attract cyclists here, but more importantly: the 40 cycle routes in the region, spread over 1,000 kilometres, are among the best and most comfortable in the whole of Austria. This is why the ADFC has also recognised Lake Neusiedl as a "RadReiseRegion" and the Lake Neusiedl Cycle Path as a quality cycle route with five stars. And the culinary and cultural highlights around the largest steppe lake in Central Europe have not even been taken into account.
RADSERVICE
The overview map "Raderlebnis Neusiedler See" on a scale of 1:125,000 (available at the tourist information centres) contains all the important addresses for bike repairs, bike and e-bike hire, bike ferries and bike taxis in addition to the cycle routes. Information on the Internet at: www.neusiedlersee.comsub-item: Activities. The tip for your smartphone is the top cycle route app (Burgenland-Erlebnistouren) with many tour tracks and a cycle route map, zoomable up to 1:25,000. Free download from the Lake Neusiedl website.
INFO GENERAL
Neusiedler See Tourismus, Obere Hauptstraße 24, A-7100 Neusiedl am See, telephone 0043/(0)2167/8600, info@neusiedlersee.com, www.neusiedlersee.com.
Around Lake Neusiedl, 85/125 km
The five-star stage tour for the whole family - once around Lake Neusiedl, either with an extensive detour to Hungary or with a shortcut by bike ferry across the lake
THE TOUR
The ADFC repeatedly praised the excellent routing, signposting and minimal traffic congestion, awarding it five stars. Understandable! Because not only can you cycle around the lake without climbing, but there are always attractive stops, whether for a swim or a snack. Or for sightseeing. The highlight is undoubtedly the Neusiedler See - Seewinkel Steppe National Park with several viewing towers. The rustic wine taverns in the cellar lanes of the wine villages are also tempting.
ATTRACTIVE STOPS
Podersdorf beach promenade Bathing beach, ferry pier, lighthouse and many attractive cafés
Illmitz National Park Centre All important information about the Lake Neusiedl - Seewinkel National Park
Rust Baroque wine town, well-known from radio and television
Purbach Modern local wine bar and idyllic cellar lane with wine taverns
Breitenbrunn Tower museum and picturesque cellar district
Neusiedl by the lake Coffee and/or swimming break at the lido
TOUR-INFO
Tour combinations Lacken Cycle Path B20, Cherry Blossom Cycle Path B12, Festival Cycle Path, Iron Curtain Trail
Cycle-friendly accommodation There are 13 certified bed & bike establishments by the lake. www.bettundbike.de
Information Lake Neusiedl Tourism, www.neusiedlersee.com
Tour 1 Rosalia cycle route, 58 km
A sporty and challenging tour through the hilly Rosalia region around Mattersburg and Forchtenstein Castle. It leads to the Hungarian border and through the Rosalia-Kogelberg Nature Park
THE TOUR
The Rosalia Mountains are a case for e-bikes, at least for less trained or leisurely touring cyclists. The route does have some steep climbs. But it also offers interesting waypoints. For example, the mighty Forchtenstein Castle with the Esterhazy treasury and great views of the countryside. In the Rohrbacher Teichwiesen area, the motto is "open your eyes": Botanical beauties such as the cowbell and the orchid grow there. If you cycle through the Rosalia region in late spring or early summer, you can look forward to sweet fruits. Strawberries are grown in several places here. And, almost as a matter of course in Burgenland, you will also cycle through beautiful vineyards, such as around Pöttelsdorf and Sigleß.
VISUAL VALUE
Forchtenstein Castle The mighty building is one of the landmarks of Burgenland and houses, among other things, the baroque treasury of the noble Esterhazy family. www.esterhazy.at
Rohrbach pond meadows Circular trail over 6 km through the reed and water landscape in the Rosalia-Kogelberg Nature Park, with interesting nature experience stations. www.rosalia-kogelberg.at
TOUR-INFO
Tour combinations Jubilee cycle route R1, Iron Curtain Trail, Hexenhügel cycle route B33
Bike-friendly accommodation Hotel Florianihof in Mattersburg, www.hotel-florianihof.at
Information Tourism Association Region Rosalia - Lake Neufeld, www.rosalia.at
Tour 2 Cherry blossom cycle path, 43 km
An interesting excursion to the Leithaberg cherry trees - over gentle hills through extensive vineyards. With a stop in the rustic cellar lanes of Breitenbrunn and Purbach
THE TOUR
This tour is certainly most spectacular in April and May, when thousands of cherry trees are in bloom, or in June, when the trees are full of sweet, black-red cherries. But the tour at the foot of the Leitha Mountains is also great fun in other months. Compared to many other trails, it does get mountainous here, but in practice this means gentle hills with a few not too steep climbs. This means there is plenty of time to enjoy the views of Lake Neusiedl and look forward to a stop at a cosy wine tavern, such as the one on the Kellerring in Breitenbrunn, or a refreshing stop at the outdoor pool in Purbach.
VISUAL VALUE
Cellar ring Breitenbrunn The typical cellar houses are not only beautiful to look at, but also great places to stop for a bite to eat, for example at the Vinoschank Humer and the Antoniuskeller.
Leithaberg wine bar in Purbach Around 350 wines from regional winegrowers are for sale and 64 are available for tasting every day. The innovative wine dispensing machines alone are an experience for every wine lover. The best place to enjoy a glass is on the terrace with a view of the 50 or so stone cellars of the Purbach Kellergasse.
GOURMET TIP
Not just for cherry fans The menus of the inns in the Leithaberg region include traditional desserts such as cherry cake and cherry pancakes as well as innovative creations such as cherries in a prosciutto parcel and sheep's cheese on a cherry, strawberry and tomato ragout.
TOUR-INFO
Tour combinations Lake Neusiedl Cycle Route B10, Festival Cycle Route, Leith Cycle Route B11, Jubilee Cycle Route R1
Cycle-friendly accommodation Gasthof Turmhof in Breitenbrunn, www.turmhof.comWeingasthof Braunstein in Purbach, www.braunstein.at
Information Tourist information Purbach, www.purbach.at
Tour 3 Lacken cycle path, 52 km
Enjoyable day tour in and around the Neusiedler See - Seewinkel National Park with an insight into Pannonian culture. A must for all nature lovers and amateur ornithologists
THE TOUR
A true "tour de nature" with no inclines, but with some sand and gravel paths. Don't forget your binoculars! Because the birdlife is unique. The name of the tour comes from the salty lakes, especially around Illmitz. Typical inhabitants of the small steppe lakes are avocets and Kentish plovers, which have their only breeding grounds in Austria here. Culinary delights are also provided by various wine taverns along the cycle path.
VISUAL VALUE
Lake Neusiedl - Seewinkel National Park Information Centre The information centre is located on the northern outskirts of Illmitz, virtually on the cycle path, and provides an insight into the flora and fauna as well as the work of the rangers. It is even more interesting to join a national park excursion there. It lasts around three hours. In the immediate vicinity, you will find hay meadows, salt flats and salt pans with great botanical and zoological diversity. And you are sure to see some of the 350 or so bird species from the observation towers or platforms. www.nationalpark-neusiedlerseeseewinkel.at
St. Martins Therme & Lodge near Frauenkirchen Those in need of some soothing relaxation can make this little detour to the all-round wellness centre with sauna, solarium and more. And there's also a "photo hide", i.e. an observation platform for birdwatchers at the Pimetzlacke. www.stmartins.at
DRIVING IN TIPS
Buschenschank Gowerlhaus in Illmitz, Gasthaus zur Dankbarkeit in Podersdorf, Zum fröhlichen Arbeiter in Apetlon, Pusztascheune in Illmitz
TOUR-INFO
Tour combinations Lake Neusiedl cycle path B10, Lange Lacke cycle path B27, Iron Curtain Trail (Euro Velo 13), Kulturradweg cycle path B23, Hansag cycle path B22
Bike-friendly accommodation Gasthof Seehof in Podersdorf am See, www.seehof-gisch.at
Information Tourist information Illmitz, www.illmitz.co.at
Tour 4 Festival cycle route, 61 km
Cultural route in northern Burgenland - with the places where Joseph Haydn worked, the festival towns of St. Margarethen and Mörbisch and the famous Baroque town of Rust
THE TOUR
The festival cycle route connects some of the most beautiful places in northern Burgenland. From the provincial capital Eisenstadt with its landmark Esterhazy Castle to the festival towns of St. Margarethen and Mörbisch am See as well as the famous baroque town of Rust, also known from the TV series "Der Winzerkönig". If you want to concentrate fully on culture and culinary delights on this somewhat hilly route for the region, an e-bike is a more comfortable option.
VISUAL VALUE
Opera in the quarry The former quarry in St. Margarethen forms the backdrop for unique musical performances every year in midsummer. In 2019, it is the Magic Flute by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. www.operimsteinbruch.at
Lake stage Mörbisch The world's largest operetta festival takes place directly on Lake Neusiedl every July and August. In 2019, Lehár's "In the Land of Smiles" will be performed. www.seefestspiele-moerbisch.at
Eisenstadt The provincial capital of Burgenland deserves an extensive stop, especially because of its picturesque old town, Esterhazy Palace and the Calvary Church. www.eisenstadt-leithaland.at
TOUR-INFO
Tour combinations Lake Neusiedl Cycle Route B10, Cherry Blossom Cycle Route B12
Bike-friendly accommodation Bürgerhaus Rust, timimoo.at, Burgenländerhof in Mörbisch, www.hotelburgenlaenderhof.at
Information Mörbisch Tourist Office, www.moerbischamsee.atSt. Margarethen tourist office, www.st-margarethen.at
The 28-page travel special Burgenland was part of MYBIKE issue 4/2019. You can download the issue in the MYBIKE app ( iTunes and Google Play ) or in the DK-Shop order.
