The Marchfeld Canal near Engelhartstetten is an interesting destination on a cycling tour through the eastern Marchfeld region, especially for those interested in hydraulic engineering, nature, and tranquil landscapes.
The canal is part of the larger Marchfeld Canal system, which was built in the 1990s to channel water from the Danube to the agriculturally dominated Marchfeld region. The system ensures groundwater recharge, ecological enhancement, and agricultural irrigation.
In the area around Engelhartstetten, the canal runs through a quiet, flat farmland with small forests, windbreaks, and scattered settlements – ideal for cycling away from traffic. Gravel and asphalt paths run along the watercourse and connect towns such as Stopfenreuth, Engelhartstetten, Groißenbrunn, and Markthof.
Along the way, you pass scenic sections with bridges, locks, and small wetlands that provide habitat for many bird and amphibian species. Information panels along the canal explain the technical and ecological concept of the project.
As a quiet, water-based route, the Marchfeld Canal in the Engelhartstetten area is ideal for leisurely cyclists, families, and nature enthusiasts—especially when combined with the Danube-Auen National Park and the former March border with Slovakia.