{"id":35713,"date":"2021-08-11T05:38:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-11T04:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/?p=35713"},"modified":"2025-06-29T18:20:51","modified_gmt":"2025-06-29T17:20:51","slug":"prater-park-hiking-trail-9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/prater-park-hiking-trail-9\/","title":{"rendered":"The Prater: park &#038; hiking trail #9"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/praterparksmall.jpg\" alt=\"Footpath through the trees\" class=\"wp-image-35715\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/praterparksmall.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/praterparksmall-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The Prater contains around 6km<sup>2<\/sup> of open woodland, meadows and long water features, with footpaths, cycling paths, the perfect road for runners, and an official hiking trail (Wanderweg 9) that takes you on an 11km loop around the whole park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Wander past the amusement park before hitting nature<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Extremely flat with excellent paths<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Filled with playgrounds, skateboard areas, sports meadows and similar<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take the trail to reach parts rarely seen<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take a detour for some remarkable modern architecture<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>End the trail or day in a gastro-quarter<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Add a historical <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/en\/vienna-walking-tours-l205287\/?partner=visitingvienna&amp;tq_campaign=LG_WalkingTours\" rel=\"sponsored\">walking tour<\/a>* to your trip<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>See also:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/prater\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"35726\">The Prater &#8211; overview<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/weather\/how-to-keep-cool\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"74122\">How to keep cool in summer<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-park-area\">The park area<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=1MSzFPzvbN1BdY_oXvkPgQltRSY4gwncM\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The public have enjoyed the fresh air of the Prater since 1766, when Emperor Joseph II decided to share the woodlands and hunting grounds with his subjects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Much has changed since then, of course, with fewer sword-bearing horsemen (and fewer emperors) travelling the numerous paths through this extensive park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Good quality cycle paths and footpaths crisscross the whole area, though all pale in comparison with the broad Hauptallee that cuts right down the middle of the Prater from almost one end to the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-hauptallee\">The Hauptallee<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/praterhauptallee.jpg\" alt=\"Part of the Prater hauptallee\" class=\"wp-image-49417\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/praterhauptallee.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/praterhauptallee-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Site of Eliud Kipchoge&#8217;s famous running record)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Emerge from Praterstern station on the U1 and U2 subway lines and a few steps take you to an underpass and the start of the wide, perfectly-straight 4.5km boulevard whose origins began in the early 1500s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The trees lining both the route and the smaller paths that flank the sides offer plenty of shade, making the Hauptallee a popular route for walkers, joggers, runners, and cyclists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The boulevard ends at a circular plaza with roads and paths shooting off in all directions. So you can continue out to, for example, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/donaukanal\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"34106\">Danube canal<\/a> or the Danube itself, visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/lusthaus\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"35524\">Lusthaus<\/a> or other restaurants on or near the plaza, or simply circle round and go back down the Hauptallee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The length and condition of the boulevard are such that Eliud Kipchoge chose the Hauptallee for his successful 2019 attempt to run a marathon in under 2 hours: the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ineos159challenge.com\/\">INEOS 1:59 challenge<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"bikes-trains-and-segways\">Bikes, trains and segways<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/liliputbahn.jpg\" alt=\"A fun ride on the Liliputbahn\" class=\"wp-image-49416\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/liliputbahn.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/liliputbahn-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The Liliputbahn railway)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since the Hauptallee links up to other cycling paths (and the wider road network at either end), it&#8217;s one of the more popular routes for bike tours and similar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Various places will rent you a bike or segway for your trip around the Prater. These places, for example (at the time of writing):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/segway.wien\/\">Segway Flotte<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.liliswelt.at\/portfolio\/almradler-rad-und-rikschaverleih\/\">Almradler<\/a> (rent a rickshaw-like bike)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.radverleih-hochschaubahn.com\/\">Radverleih Hochschaubahn<\/a> (rent various kinds of bikes)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/transport\/cycling-in-vienna\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"30922\">WienMobile bike rental system<\/a> also has locations on the west side of Praterstern station and close to the west entrance to the Prater (on Ausstellungsstra\u00dfe just above the square hosting the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/riesenrad\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"271\">Giant Ferris Wheel<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alternatively, the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.liliputbahn.com\/\">Liliputbahn miniature railway<\/a> loops around 4km, taking you from the edge of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/wurstelprater-amusement-park\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"35559\">Prater amusement park<\/a> almost out to the national football stadium and back again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(One of my most memorable Prater moments was seeing England fans travelling to the match against Austria on the Liliputbahn in great excitement.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"wanderweg-9-the-prater-trail\">Wanderweg 9: the Prater trail<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/hikingtrailsign.jpg\" alt=\"Hiking trail sign\" class=\"wp-image-49415\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/hikingtrailsign.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/hikingtrailsign-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(You&#8217;re out in nature now)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Naturally, you&#8217;re free to explore the Prater on foot. One of the official city hiking routes (Wanderweg 9) actually circles around the park from one end to the other on an 11km route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Look for the <em>Stadtwanderweg 9<\/em> signs, and the authorities also kindly provide an online map (zoom in):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div><script defer=\"defer\" type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wien.gv.at\/stadtplan\/en\/ApiGetViennaGisMap.ctrl?containerWidth=490&amp;containerHeight=300&amp;centerContainer=1&amp;lang=en&amp;bookmark=kk-axRSfMiEXHotdG5rQ9Ru5RphlnHv0O&amp;bmadr=\"><\/script><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>My tip would be to do the trail anticlockwise. That way you finish up at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/wurstelprater-amusement-park\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"35559\">amusement park<\/a> with its various restaurants. So you can flop down and reward yourself for your walking endeavours with some <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/traditional-food-drink\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"1654\">traditional Austrian fare<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/ziehrermonument.jpg\" alt=\"Monument to Carl Michael Ziehrer\" class=\"wp-image-49419\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/ziehrermonument.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/ziehrermonument-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(One of Vienna&#8217;s many musician monuments)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wanderweg 9 starts you off at the Hauptallee just outside Praterstern before branching off to the right at the monument to the Viennese composer Carl Michael Ziehrer (1843-1922).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You then continue past some of the park&#8217;s recreational facilities, such as a mountain bike course, skate park, beach volleyball courts, slackline facilities and open meadows for ball games.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/heronturtle.jpg\" alt=\"Heron and turtle\" class=\"wp-image-49414\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/heronturtle.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/heronturtle-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(We spotted herons and turtles)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first &#8220;nature&#8221; highlight is the Konstantinteich water feature. Back in 1873, the Prater hosted the World Exhibition, and the spoil from construction works created the small hill (the Konstantinh\u00fcgel) you can still see today alongside the large pond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After more sports facilities, including the home of the Austrian Baseball Federation (!), the Wanderweg becomes a proper park trail.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/praterhiking.jpg\" alt=\"Hiking trail through the Prater\" class=\"wp-image-49418\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/praterhiking.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/praterhiking-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The paths are well-kept)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The route takes you alongside meadows and through woodlands on flat paths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Though you still find yourself encountering reminders of the urban surrounds, most notably as you cross under the A23 motorway, where I&#8217;ve spent many happy hours sitting in traffic jams.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/lusthaus.jpg\" alt=\"The Lusthaus\" class=\"wp-image-48094\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/lusthaus.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/lusthaus-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The Lusthaus once famously hosted European royalty for the anniversary celebrations of the Battle of Leipzig)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After some time, you&#8217;ll reach that central plaza that marks the end of the Hauptallee, home to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/lusthaus\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"35524\">Lusthaus summer house<\/a> (once used by the Habsburgs for rest, relaxation, and festivities).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Lusthaus itself is now one of several restaurants in this area, should you need a break.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/LusthauswasserEnd.jpg\" alt=\"One end of the Lusthauswasser\" class=\"wp-image-41742\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/LusthauswasserEnd.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/LusthauswasserEnd-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(An unexpected scene for Vienna)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Continue on past the Lusthaus to reach a part of the Prater park rarely visited by most. You trace the route of a long elongated water channel that once formed an arm of the Danube.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(The river used to shift around in the past, so you often find relics of its previous meanderings throughout Vienna.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You then turn back at the end of the narrow lake, where you&#8217;re actually quite close to the Danube itself, with more woodland walks and another waterway to liven up the hike back.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/praterhikingmariachurch.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/praterhikingmariachurch.jpg\" alt=\"The Maria Gr\u00fcn church\" class=\"wp-image-73157\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/praterhikingmariachurch.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/praterhikingmariachurch-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The Maria Gr\u00fcn church is around 100 years old)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This return route takes you past the Maria Gr\u00fcn church. Once you reach the end of the Heustadelwasser water feature and cross the Hauptallee, you&#8217;re back into sparse woodland and park again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You might consider taking a few detours off to the north here, since some quite intriguing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/prater-architecture\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"35531\">architectural highlights<\/a> await the curious hiker, including the national football stadium and the astonishing buildings of the new campus for the Vienna University of Economics and Business.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/wucampus1.jpg\" alt=\"University campus facade\" class=\"wp-image-48098\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/wucampus1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/wucampus1-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(New university buildings have become quite an Instagram hit)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, the trail skirts the edges of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/wurstelprater-amusement-park\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"35559\">amusement park<\/a> before returning you to the Hauptallee and your starting point at Praterstern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That route actually passes two of Vienna&#8217;s most popular open-air eating establishments: the Schweizerhaus and the all-organic Kolarik&#8217;s Luftburg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To discover more of the Prater&#8217;s attractions, check this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/prater\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"35726\">overview<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Prater contains around 6km2 of open woodland, meadows and long water features, with footpaths, cycling paths, the perfect road for runners, and an official hiking trail (Wanderweg 9) that takes you on an 11km loop around the whole park. The park area The public have enjoyed the fresh air of the Prater since 1766, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":35715,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-35713","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-entertainment","8":"entry"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35713","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35713"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35713\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":84467,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35713\/revisions\/84467"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35715"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35713"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35713"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35713"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}