Summer Solstice Night Hike in the Vienna Woods
Details
To celebrate the upcoming summer solstice, join a small group of like-minded hikers for a sunset-to-sunrise hiking experience in the Wienerwald hills on the night of June 20 to 21 (Saturday to Sunday). If you have ever wondered what it feels like to hike through the night but have not tried it yet, this is your chance to join fellow hikers for a truly memorable experience. We’ll follow the “Towers of the Vienna Woods” route between Bad Vöslau and Mödling, just outside Vienna, mostly along forest roads and trails, visiting seven lookout towers along the way that offer night-time panoramas over the surrounding hills and scattered towns.
🤔 FITNESS LEVEL
Although this full-day adventure requires no technical skills, you should have solid endurance to comfortably complete a ~31 km route with around 1100 m of elevation gain and descent (relaxed pace). If you are new to hiking, it is recommended to join shorter or less demanding hikes first to better assess your fitness and hiking ability.
🌄 WHAT TO EXPECT
We’ll meet at Bad Vöslau train station (REX1 connection from Vienna) approx. 1 hour before the sunset and follow a scenic route (“Towers of the Vienna Woods”) through the hills (incl. Anninger) and towns (Bad Vöslau, Baden, Mödling) in the Vienna Woods visiting seven lookout towers along the way that offer night-time panoramas:
- Kaiser-Franz-Joseph-Jubiläumswarte (sunset spot 20:57) 🗼
- Burgruine Rauheneck 🏰
- Theresienwarte 🗼
- Klesheimwarte 🗼
- Wilhelmswarte 🗼
- Kaiser-Jubiläums-Warte 🗼
- Husarentempel (sunrise spot 04:55) 🏛️
📊 HIKE DETAILS
~31 km | +1100 m elevation gain
Difficulty: Easy (T1/T2) – no technical skills required
🧑🤝🧑 GROUP DYNAMICS
We stay together as a group and regroup at key junctions. No one gets left behind. No navigation needed from participants.
🧳 WHAT TO BRING
- Fully charged headlamp/torch 🔦
- Spare batteries 🔋
- Water (2-3L) 💧
- Snacks / breakfast 🥪
- Fully charged phone 📱
- First aid kit 🩹
- Warm layers 🧦
- Hiking / trail running shoes 🥾
📍MEETING POINT
Bad Vöslau train station – 20:00
If travelling from Vienna, take the REX1 towards Wiener Neustadt from your preferred station (Wien Floridsdorf 19:09, Wien Mitte 19:22, Wien Hbf 19:29, Wien Meidling 19:37; check additional stops in the ÖBB Scotty app). Arrive at Bad Vöslau Bahnhof at 20:01.
📍 END POINT
Mödling train station (morning hours)
🌦️ WEATHER
The hike is weather-dependent and may be cancelled in case of bad conditions.
⚠️ PARTICIPATION & RESPONSIBILITY
This is a casual, self-organized hike. You join at your own responsibility. Please ensure you’re comfortable with the distance and elevation, bring appropriate gear (especially footwear, water, and snacks), and take care of your own safety during the hike.