Tour A Puchberg am Schneeberg, Village of Puchberg, Schneeberg Summit and Hohe Wand.
Puchberg is a beautiful village at the foot of Schneeberg mountain about 80 km southwest of Vienna. We will stay 2 nights in a traditional Austrian pension that provides a fine breakfast and view near to nature for easy access to walk around the area.
Puchberg - Puchberg is a very old and picturesque town that has been in existence since Roman times when it was situated on the Amber Road that brought amber from Poland to Rome. The main street that runs through Puchberg is part of the former Amber Road, and Roman street signs have been excavated and some have been repositioned along the road. In the heart of Puchberg is a lake surrounded by a path and landscaped flowers and plants.
The town view is dominated by the spectacular Schneeberg and castle ruins that date from the 13th century. There were 2 other castles in the area. The large and well-preserved Stixenstein is located a bit out of town on a very curvy road. It is the property of the city of Vienna and is open on special ocassions. The second castle was almost in the center of town, bit it was destroyed during WWII, and the ruin imploded to bury weapons left behind. The castle shares its hilltop with the school, Puchberg museum and church. The church was reconstructed following its destruction in WWII, but the grounds contain graves from the past 9 centuries and the church baptism, marriage and death records can trace some family histories back for 5 centuries.
Schneeberg Mountain with the Salamander - Schneeberg literally means „snow mountain“, which is appropriate as it is the highest mountain in Niederösterreich and has snow on top all year-around. The top of Schneeberg is mostly flat with some steeper areas at the end of the rail, which ends at near the mountain top at a small inn called the Fischer's hut. There is also a hotel at the mountain top train station and an alpine Gasthaus at the half-way point that serves excellent traditional Austrian country pastries and sausages.
On Schneeberg itself you will see spectacular views of the surrounding valleys, tundra, pine bushes (the altitude is too high for the pine trees to reach their full height, so they grow outwards instead) and patches of pure snow. The air and snow is very clean and the snow serves as the source of the region water supply.In the summer some areas of the mountain have cows and oxen. At the higher elevations wild mountain goats and deer have also been seen.
Rather than hike to the top or climb the many cliffs it offers, we will take the easy way with the Salamander train that meanders up the mountain through gorgeous scenery. The Salamander is a modern diesel-electric train that takes about an hour to a plateau beneath the summit. Needless to say there is a beautiful view. At 2,075 meters, it is the highest mountain in the area. we can walk the area for a few hours searching for higher altitude birds – alpine cough, dunnock, raven, redpoll, water pipit. Lunch at the hilltop.
Hohe Wand Nature Park – This is a high limestone plateau / cliff ideal for hiking and rock climbing. We will explore the long winding road and countryside that includes alpine lakes, fields and farms. In addition to tourism, the main industry is dairy farming and small family farms dot the landscape. Many of the farmhouses are more than 200 years old and at last one is almost 500. We will selct more leisurely strolls and take time to search for nutcrackers, crested tit, rock bunting, firecrests, woodpeckers and finches.
Mission of M19040 - To provide low stress bird watching tours in Eastern Austria to English speaking birdwatchers for pleasure.
What M19040 Offers:
English – My native language is English with reasonable French and lousy German – I only know the names of birds in English - not French, German or Latin.
Logistics – Clean and nice, but not fancy accomodation, meals, tea and coffee in traditional Austrian locations. M19040 finds, books and pays these costs including tips. ABW supplies transportation including all costs. When there is a independent chaufeur, participants may wish to tip extra.
Equipment – M19040 always has an extra pair of binoculars, a spare rain coat, umbrella and warm sweater. There will be a spotting scope with tripod available. The field guides are in English can be shared. Please bring these items if you already have them.
Personal supplies – For the last few years, it has become increasing difficult to carry some basic items in your hand luggage. A small kit will be provided with a nail file, multi-purpose tool (we call them pocketknives in Canada) for clippers, scissors, screwdrivers, twissors, can opener, bottle opener, knife and corkscrew, shampoo, hand lotion, kleenex, shaving cream and razor.
Small groups – No group will ever be larger than 6 participants plus a guide and chauffeur. During March 2009 the group size is limited to 3 people as the tours are being flushed out and quite simply, everything is easier with small groups.
Free time – There will be chances to get out and stretch your legs on your own. When possible accomodation will be near to nature, other cafes and restaurants so you can go out for the evening or take an early morning walks to do some BW at the crack of dawn.
Special trips At Schneeberg we will take the Salamanader diesel-electric train to a plateau near the summit.
Flexibility – The tours are described in 2 nights / 3 days packages – any 2 packages can be combined into a 4 nights / 5 days package.
Note: March 2009 - During March 2009 the group size is limited to 3 people as the tours are being flushed out and quite simply, everything is easier with small groups. It may be a bit early and cool.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Pricing – All 2 nights / 3 days packages are €900 each; This is the maximum price - there are no extra , hidden costs. Combinations of 4 nights / 5 days package are €1,500 each. There is no extra single supplement fee.
Price drops to EUR 750 if combined with another tour - East or West side of Neusiedlersee, Donau Auen Park or Vienna for Birdwatchers.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Austria
Nature & Wildlife
Birdwatching
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