슈바르제나우 최고의 라이딩 경로

Imposing castle with a very nice cycle path next to it on an old railway line

Karlstein was first mentioned in 1112 as "Chadelstain." As a fiefdom, Karlstein belonged to the respective territorial princes, who granted this rule to knightly families, although no continuous dynasty established itself here. Since the castle was never owned by a single family for an extended period, it was continually rebuilt and expanded. Practically nothing remains of the original castle. In the following centuries, the border region was repeatedly raided by enemy armies (Ottokar, Hussites, Matthias Corvinus). After the suppression of the Peasants' Revolt in 1597, the leader, Andreas Schrembser, was presumably imprisoned in Karlstein Castle. In 1645, the Swedes besieged Karlstein Castle in vain. In 1663, it served as a refuge during the Turkish threat. In 1914, an internment camp was established in the castle, despite it being uninhabitable. The Montenegrin General Staff was also imprisoned there. After the war, the Hungarian communist leader Béla Kun was interned here. Later, the castle was used as a youth hostel, and in the 1960s, it also served as a guesthouse. The castle is now privately owned and no longer open to the public.

Very worth seeing, definitely make a stop

New cycle path near Windigsteig, over the old railway bridge.

Unfortunately, we were in a hurry, but this looks like a great place to take a rest and dip in the water. Thaya seems rather wide at this location, so it's probably a better swimming place than the one next to the old bathhouse a few km further north. Shuttle can take up to six bikes in one pass and it's up to you to pull it across the river.

Castle visits are possible with a guide, but only on weekends. Getting there is the easiest when approaching the Raabs an der Thaya from the south. Road uphills from the town centre is very steep, so prepare for pushing the bike.

Located directly on the Thaya cycle path. If you have time you can linger here for a while.

Very well maintained, traffic-free cycle path, quite flat