Kilometers walked: 515
Nights in a tent: 7
Nights home hospitality: 3, Franz and Martina (Oberneukirchen), Fritz and Rosi (Zissingdorf), Richard, Ramona and Rosi (Reichenauerwald).
Nights in a hotel: 14
Days walked: 20
Zerodays: 5, Ameisberg, Waidhofen an der Thaya and Vienna (3 days)
Local attitude towards free camping: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 out of 5)
Very relaxed about the whole concept. We had a few nice conversations while camped in the open with people passing by, or people waving at us in our tent.
Local hospitality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 out of 5)
People are open and curious. In conversation they are friendly and generous. We got invited for a drink, of hot offered a bed where we only asked for water.
Local attitude of traffic towards hikers: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 out of 5)
Quite considerate and often switch lanes to give you space. It’s best to walk towards the upcoming traffic, this way they seem to be more considerate. The E8 trail uses a lot of road sections in Austria, but generally avoids busy roads. It often goes over fly overs of through pedestrian tunnels in busy sections.
Trail conditions: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 out of 5)
Generally well maintained, with some bushy parts. A lot of road sections, mostly not too bad, because the view is good 😁.
Trail markings: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 out of 5)
Well marked with an easily recognisable National marking system. It helped a lot that we only had a few different trails to follow, and that the digital information was consistent with the markers. Some small parts were a bit harder to follow.
Trail views and impressions: The trail goes through a lot of farmland in the Mühlviertel with flower meadows full of wildflowers, bees and butterflies. Austrian people seem more in contact with nature and rely quite strongly on herbal solutions for their health. The trail also takes you through the forest of the Waldviertel and the vineyards of the Weinviertel, towards the Donau valley and Vienna. We enjoyed the diversity of an Austria less visited by tourists, yet beautiful and laid back, with friendly people and sleepy towns.
Favorite drink/snack/meal: Almdudler and Almdudler Radler.
Best memories: The incredible hospitality we received at the homes of our 3 spontaneous hosts and the tour through the wine cellars in Retz.
Would do it again: yes.
Would recommend this trail to: Other E8 hikers. If you’d like to go hiking in the North of Austria, I’d recommend picking one of the trails we followed, not necessarily the combination of these trails like we did.
Tips if you go: Bring enough water, because there are no springs along the way, check the opening times of the shops and cafes along the way. Make sure you have shoes to walk quite some road sections.
Will do this after we get home because of the trail: Drink Almdudler Radler, make more use of the herbs and eatable flowers in our garden by making syrup or using them in a meal. Make demel-like hot chocolate, research Austrian wine from the Weinviertel.
