Mannswörther Round

Starting point: Parking lot at the end of Zainethbrückengasse

The Mannswörther floodplains extend on both sides of the Schwechat estuary, a little east of the village of Mannswörth. Here, there are two natural areas. To the west of the Schwechat estuary, the Alberner levee runs through the area. In this artificially created, extremely dry habitat, a diverse and specialized vegetation thrives. Particularly orchids grow here. In the floodplain forest, hybrid poplar plantations still dominate over large stretches. However, the floodplain forest is gradually being transformed with locally typical trees to allow a natural forest to develop again.

On this tour, you will get to know both natural areas. Your hike begins at the parking lot at the end of Zainethbrückengasse. From the Alberner levee, you will cross a narrow piece of forest, where climbing plants and hops create a kind of green curtain in the summer. The tour continues along an old arm of the river until you reach the Danube and follows the riverside path to the east.

Along extensive meadows, populated by hares and pheasants, and whose edges are covered in autumn with common ragwort, goldenrod, hemp agrimony, and mugwort, you will reach the mouth of the Schwechat. On the way back, you will walk over the short connecting path to the levee, pass through a reforestation area there, and again cross the bridge over the Schwechat at the end.