Leopoldi Festival Hike to Klosterneuburg

Leopoldi Festival Hike to Klosterneuburg
WIENERWALD · WIEN & KLOSTERNEUBURG
15 NOV 2026 · SUN · 10:00-18:00
19KM · +500/-600M · easy&chill
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Join us on November 15 for a beginner-friendly late-autumn hike from Vienna through the panoramic hills of the Wienerwald to Klosterneuburg. There, we'll join the traditional festivities of the Leopoldi Festival (Leopoldifest), celebrating St. Leopold III, patron saint of Vienna and Lower Austria. It is one of the region's biggest traditional autumn festivals. Expect a varied day combining nature, scenic Wienerwald trails, historic landmarks and traditional Austrian festival atmosphere, with plenty of opportunities to explore the festivities in Klosterneuburg.

We meet at U3 Ottakring station and take a 10-minute bus ride (48A) to the Otto Wagner Areal, where we begin our Leopoldi hike at the magnificent Otto Wagner Church at Steinhof, dedicated to (wait for it!) St. Leopold III. From there, we continue across the panoramic, autumn-coloured hills of the Wienerwald towards Leopoldsberg, named after (wait for it!) St. Leopold III. After taking in the spectacular views over Vienna and the Danube, we descend towards Klosterneuburg, home to the famous Klosterneuburg Abbey, founded by (you guessed it!) St. Leopold III.

We finish our hike by joining the centuries-old festivities of the Leopoldi Festival (Leopoldifest). Expect a traditional Austrian Kirtag experience, with market stalls, local food, religious ceremonies, amusement attractions, the winegrowers' procession (Westeinzug, 15:15), ceremonial wine tapping, wine tasting, entertainment and live music. You'll also have the opportunity to try a rather unusual Leopoldi tradition: Fasslrutschen – sliding down a giant historic wine barrel (with a capacity of 56,000 Liters!) inside the abbey's Binderstadl (10:00-18:00, 3 EUR donation). We return to Vienna with a short bus or train ride from Klosterneuburg to Wien Heiligenstadt (U4).

HIGHLIGHTS
Panoramic views over Vienna
Autumn-coloured Wienerwald
Otto Wagner Church at Steinhof
Scenic views from Leopoldsberg
Festivities at Leopoldi Festival
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FITNESS: MODERATE
You should be able to hold a steady pace on climbs and uneven ground (basic fitness). Some hiking experience helps.

SCHEDULE
10:00 · Meet in front of Ottakring (U3) station
10:00-10:30 · Bus 48A (Ottakring Bahnst – Otto-Wagner-Areal)
10:30-15:00 · Leopoldi Hike to Klosterneuburg
15:00-18:00 · Festivities at Leopoldi Festival

To return to Vienna, you can take either bus 400 (~20 min ride to Wien Heiligenstadt, every 15 min) or train S40 (~10 min ride to Wien Heiligenstadt, every 30 min).

Train times may change. Check ÖBB Scotty before departure. A Vorteilskarte or KlimaTicket saves on fares.

ROUTE
Komoot: LINK

PACK LIST
🥾 Comfortable shoes or boots
🧥 Layered clothing (better safe than sorry!)
🌧️ Rain protection (jacket and pants)
☀️ Sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses, cap)
💧 Water
🥪 Snacks & Lunch
📱 Phone, fully charged
💳 Cash
🆔 ID
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GENERAL INFORMATION
GROUP DYNAMICS
This is a group hiking activity. We begin the hike as a group, move together along the route, regroup regularly along the way, and finish the hike together. Please plan to stay with the group for the entire duration of the hike, unless the itinerary explicitly mentions the possibility of splitting into smaller groups (e.g., one subgroup staying at a hut while others continue to a summit).

We follow this approach primarily for safety reasons: to keep track of everyone, ensure nobody is accidentally left behind, and allow the group to support each other if unexpected situations arise. It also helps create a better shared experience, where everyone can enjoy the hike together and nobody feels isolated or unintentionally separated from the group.
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WEATHER
This hike is weather-dependent and may be modified, shortened, postponed, or cancelled in case of thunderstorms, severe weather, or unsafe mountain conditions. Please check for updates before departure and be prepared for possible changes to the itinerary. The weather forecast and any potential changes will usually be posted in the event comments around 48 hours before the hike.

The organizer provides general information only and does not determine whether conditions are safe for individual participants. Each participant is solely responsible for assessing the weather, trail conditions, their own abilities, and deciding whether to participate or continue the hike.
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PARTICIPATION & RESPONSIBILITY
This is a casual, self-organized hike. You join at your own responsibility and are responsible for your own safety, decisions, and actions throughout the activity. Please ensure you are comfortable with the planned distance, elevation gain, difficulty level, and alpine terrain. You are responsible for assessing whether the hike is suitable for your fitness level and experience, and for bringing appropriate clothing, sufficient food and water, and suitable footwear and equipment. Please make conservative decisions regarding your own safety, and do not take unnecessary risks.