Forest experience with a view directly on the Hungarian border!
Advertising: We were able to discover the Geschriebenstein Nature Park as part of our collaboration with Burgenland Tourismus.
There are six nature parks in Burgenland, including the Geschriebenstein-Irottkö Nature Park, which is a great spot for a cross-border escape, boasts the highest point in Burgenland and offers a wide range of family-friendly activities.
The Geschriebenstein-Irottkö Nature Park is a great place for families to go hiking and mountain biking. Here, Burgenland’s nature really shines. There are some great hikes and the Burgenland trails are designed to appeal to people of all ages.
If you’re looking for a quick hike with a great view, we suggest starting from the parking lot (coordinates below). The trail takes you through the park, heading towards Geschriebenstein, the park’s namesake and Burgenland’s highest point. It’s a short, gentle climb.
The route through the lush, vibrant forest to the viewing tower is stunning, so there’s no need to rush on this short hike. Instead, you can take your time and enjoy the forest air. There are some interesting information boards dotted around the site, with stories about the region and its geological features. The bilingual boards, in German and Hungarian, show just how close the neighbouring country is. After about half an hour, you’ll start to see the tower on the Hungarian border. From the top, you get a great overview of the entire nature park.
You can have a picnic and cross over to Hungary, as the Geschriebenstein marks the national border. It’s a great opportunity to let your kids enjoy the view of the neighbouring country or collect a Hungarian stone.
Burgenland trails
As well as the hiking trails, the nature park also has some fantastic mountain bike trails, the Burgenland-Trails, which are among the most beautiful in Europe. Parents and older kids can enjoy the trails and find a route that suits them, with something to suit every ability. You can even get into the Burgenland Trails for free with the Burgenland Card.
There’s also the former knight’s castle of Lockenhaus, which is worth a visit with kids.