The ‘other Austria’ - between the last hilly foothills of the Alps, Lake Neusiedl with its extensive reed belts and the Pannonian Plain, one of Europe's rare steppe landscapes, offers a wide range of wine, cultural landscapes and lakes. Where the Alpine arc ends in the Hungarian lowlands, leisure cyclists can enjoy tours of a completely different character to those in the mountain regions. The Cherry Blossom Cycle Route, part of the Lake Neusiedl Cycle Route B 10 on the northern part of the steppe lake, offers an impressive natural spectacle all year round with 43 kilometres of route and 230 metres of ascent, especially now during the cherry blossom season.
Burgenland, Austria's smallest federal state in terms of population, is a cycling country par excellence, warm, sunny and characterised by clear air and expansive views. Officially, it is ‘the sunny side of Austria’. And it is flat; steep climbs are a rarity here and are not particularly long. Only the almost constantly blowing wind is a bit of a challenge for ambitious cyclists, reminding them that the panoramic views and rest stops here also have to be ‘cycled’ using their own muscle power, with or without motorised assistance.
Tour character
The varied route on the southern slopes of the Leitha Mountains, the easternmost foothills of the Alpine arc, leads through charming villages with historic cellar alleys and colourful farm gates and always with impressive views of Lake Neusiedl. The circular route leads through the villages of Jois, Breitenbrunn, Purbach and Donnerskirchen and includes a flat section (without lake views) and a somewhat more mountainous section with lake views and short climbs. The cultural landscape, which has grown organically over the centuries, has a calming and balancing effect on the mind; restlessness and hecticness quickly evaporate as the pedals turn in a constant, homogeneous rhythm.
Before setting off, it is advisable to find out about the prevailing wind conditions, as the wind usually blows noticeably on Lake Neusiedl, sometimes as a welcome push, sometimes as a tough adversary.
The tour leads through picturesque villages with cellar alleys, past vineyards, pastures and thousands of cherry trees - which, depending on the weather, transform the region into a sea of blossom from the beginning to the middle of April. At the same time as the cherry trees, which give the region its name, are in bloom, yellow Adonis roses, dark purple cowbells, pink and white delphiniums, purple grape hyacinths and yellow and purple dwarf irises appear, transforming the dry grassland on the southern slopes of the Leitha Mountains into a colourful sea of flowers. Numerous information boards provide information about cultural and scenic features. We also recommend taking a break in one of the 5 cherry variety gardens. More than 40 different refined products of the small red fruits are offered for sale in the gourmet shops and inns.
Pleasure cyclists appreciate culinary stops at the many inns and wine taverns in the region, which offer delicious regional dishes and exquisite Leithaberg wines depending on the season. In addition to traditional desserts such as cherry cake, cherry pancakes and cherry strudel, the menus of the region's restaurants also include innovative creations such as cherries in a prosciutto parcel, sheep's cheese on a cherry, strawberry and tomato ragout or duck breast with cherry and thyme vinaigrette. And for those who prefer to create their own cherry delicacies, bulging baskets are offered for sale on street corners.
Cherry blossom, a feast for the eyes and soul
A special highlight is the cherry blossom cycle path in spring. From early to mid-April, the blossoming cherry trees transform the entire region into a sea of blossom, making the cycle tour an unrivalled experience. But even in June, when the cherries are ripe, a tour along the cherry blossom cycle path is worthwhile. Baskets filled to the brim with the red fruit are offered for sale on almost every street corner.
The cherry blossom cycle path in fall
In autumn, the cherry takes a back seat to another fruit: the grape. Guided wine tours and tastings in the vineyards directly on the cherry blossom cycle path are then on the programme.
When the grapes are ripe, the work of the winegrowers can be observed. Guided wine tours and tastings are then on the program of the series of events in the Lake Neusiedl - Leitha Mountains World Heritage Nature Park.
In the fall, Lake Neusiedl changes its appearance. The water level is even lower than in spring, the leaves and vines change color to a mix of red, golden yellow and green, and countless migratory birds stop off on their way to their winter quarters, in addition to the numerous bird species that also occur in the Lake Neusiedl-See-Seewinkel National Park area all year round.
A selection of other long-distance cycle routes in the region:
Lake Neusiedl circular route B 10
Experience the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lake Neusiedl on 113 flat but mostly windy kilometers. 41.5 kilometers are on Hungarian territory, including a few steep sections. Many opportunities for swimming and refreshments, especially on the Austrian side. Several ferry connections across the lake allow for shortcuts and variations. The whole tour takes a good 10 hours. A visit to the National Park and Education Center in Illmitz is a great experience and highly recommended. Interactive exhibitions provide valuable information about the different habitats in the national park, such as several reed islands with numerous lifelike specimens and memorable information boards.
Sonnenland cycle path B 45
In the foothills of the Alps, the Bucklige Welt and the Rosaliengebige, in the land of the Blaufränkisch, there are many places to stop for refreshments and sights in central Burgenland south of Lake Neusiedl on a tour of 160 kilometers and 1,000 meters in altitude. It takes a total of twelve hours of pure riding time, but the tour can also be divided into daily stages depending on your mood and fitness level. Physical fitness is definitely required.
Wind turbine path B 29
Steppe country equals wind country. Where the sun shines 300 days a year and there are no mountains to hinder the movement of air, there is plenty of wind. And wind turbines. The “giant asparagus” en masse are a very special experience on the Parndorfer Platte north of Lake Neusiedl. The 50-kilometre route with an elevation gain of just 135 meters guarantees a quality break from everyday life.
Text: Werner Köstle/Burgenland Tourism
Pictures: Tourismusverband Burgenland/Peter Podpera, Tommi Schmid, Tourismusverband Neusiedler See
Pictures Slider: Archive Nationalpark Neusiedler See Seewinkel/Dr. M. Kuttner, Sebastian Freiler