Hiking the Vienna City Hiking Trail 1 in Austria: Nussdorf to Kahlenberg

There are 14 official city walks (Stadtwanderwege in German) in Vienna, the elegant capital city of Austria.

We particularly love Vienna City Hiking Trail 1 (“Stadtwanderweg 1” in German), because of its varied scenery, plethora of eating options, and panoramic views of the Vienna cityscape and the Danube River. 

Vienna City Walk 1 is a circular hike that starts and ends at the Nussdorf Beethovengang tram station, accessible by tram line D (Straßenbahnlinie D). 

The Stadtwanderweg 1 follows pedestrian pathways through parks and residential areas before ascending a beech forest to Kahlenberg (484 meters), a panoramic summit in the 19th district which affords sweeping views of the city. 

From Kahlenberg, the trail descends through mixed forests to reach the Nussberg vineyards. With views of the Danube River, the city walk descends between vineyards and eventually drops down through a residential area to the Nussdorf Beethovengang tram station. 

This Vienna City Walk is open all-year-long. However, most wine taverns and dining establishments along the route are only open between spring (mid-April) and early autumn (late September/early October), weather depending. 

Over the years, we’ve hiked the Vienna City Walk 1 multiple times. It’s our favorite walk when we need fresh air and exercise, but don’t want to leave the city. 

If you’re curious about more hikes around Vienna, check out Hikes in the Vienna Mountains and our Wachau Valley travel guide, which summarizes our favorite hikes in the Wachau.

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Vienna City Hiking Trail 1 Map

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Signage and Waymarking 

The Vienna City Walk 1 is both signed and waymarked. Along the trail, you’ll see many wooden trail signs inscribed with “Stadtwanderweg 1.” There are also yellow trail signs, which indicate the direction to Kahlenberg. 

Though the trail signage is quite good, it isn’t perfect. Not every junction is signed. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the main landmarks along the route, before setting off. 

Furthermore, the waymarking is not consistent along the route. It’s initially marked with white-yellow-white markers and later on with white-red-white markers. 

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Eating and Drinking along the Stadtwanderweg 1

There are many places to eat and drink along the Vienna City Walk 1, including several Buschenschänke and Heurigen, which are Austrian wine taverns. 

Buschenschänke are open seasonally between spring and fall. Most of the wine taverns along the Vienna City Walk 1 are casual, self-service establishments with outdoor seating. They are only open on fair weather days. 

Like anywhere in Vienna, it’s a good idea to have cash, as card payments are never guaranteed. 

Learn More: How to Visit a Heuriger Wine Tavern

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Vienna City Hiking Trail 1 Description

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Nussdorf Beethovengang Tram Station to Kahlenberg (1:30 hours)

Nussdorf Beethovengang is one of the end stations of tram line D. When you exit the tram, walk up the ramp to the large Stadtwanderweg 1 info board. 

Cross the street and follow the pedestrian pathway in the direction of Kahlenberg, signed 1:30 hours. The trail runs along the Schreiberbach stream through a narrow park.

After wrapping around the Heiligenstadt Cemetery, you’ll enter a vineyard landscape. You’ll also see Kahlenberg, which is easy to spot thanks to the large hotel and church steeple. 

Notice the Buschenschank Wanderer am Fuße des Nussbergs wine tavern in the vineyard on your left. This seasonal establishment is only open on good weather days between spring and fall. 

The Vienna City Walk 1 continues along Wildgrubgasse pedestrian path. You’ll see several more wine taverns along the way. 

The path ascends gently through a mixed, leafy forest. 

At the bend in the road, continue straight on the forest road (“Forstweg Wildgrube”). The trail meanders across a beautiful beech forest and ascends all the way up to Höhenstrasse, the street that leads to Kahlenberg. 

Shortly before reaching Höhenstrasse, there’s a junction. Bear left and walk beneath the overpass. Shortly thereafter, turn right and follow the Höhenstrassenbegleitweg, which is the pedestrian path that runs parallel to the Höhenstrasse. 

Follow this pedestrian path along the Höhenstrasse for 830 meters. Turn right and cross the Höhenstrasse street via the pedestrian overpass bridge. Signs indicate the Vienna City Walk 1 trail direction. 

After crossing the overpass, the Vienna City Walk continues through a pocket of forest to the highest point of Kahlenberg, dominated by the 165-meter-high TV tower as well as the 22-meter-high Stephaniewarte brick observation tower. 

Next, the trail descends to the St. Joseph on Kahlenberg church, the most important landmark atop Kahlenberg. 

Continue to the famous Kahlenberg lookout point, located next to Cafe Kahlenberg. From this vantage point, a sweep of vineyards and forested parks morph into a silvery-blue cityscape, bounded by the Danube. 

There’s an even better viewpoint a few meters away, behind the Kahlenberg Suite Hotel. 

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Kahlenberg – Josefinenhütte – Mayer am Nussberg – Wieninger am Nussberg – Nussdorf Beethovengang Tram Station (1:45 hours)

Head towards the large Kahlenberg car park. To locate the car park, backtrack to the church and pass the Imbiss snack stand. 

Follow the sign to Elisabethwiese (10 min).

At the Kahlenberg car park, a pedestrian path branches off to the right (behind the bus stop). This trailhead is marked with another wooden “Stadtwanderweg 1” trail sign. 

The leafy forest trail leads to Josefinenhütte, a family-friendly restaurant,  celebrated for its homemade Viennese cuisine. 

Pass by the entrance of the Waldseilpark Kahlenberg (forest adventure park with treetop climbing courses). The Vienna City Walk wraps around the perimeter of the park and then cuts across it (right turn) to reach the Elisabethwiese meadow. 

At the Elisabethwiese trail junction, turn right. The path runs at the base of the sloping meadow to another junction. Turn left here. 

Descend the wide forest trail. 

After 15 minutes, the Stadtwanderweg 1 emerges from the forest and intersects the Eisernenhandgasse road. Turn right on Eisernenhandgasse and pass Buschenschank Feuerwehr Wagner. 

Soon turn left on Kahlenberg Strasse and head to the Mayer am Nussberg Buschenschank. If this wine tavern is open, definitely grab a drink and a bite to eat here. 

Shortly after passing Mayer am Nussberg, the road divides. Bear left and follow Eichelhofweg road. You’ll soon pass Wieninger am Nussberg, another lovely Buschenschank set in a vineyard. 

There are more wine taverns located just off the main route, including mischpoche im weingarten, Buschenschank Windischbauer, Buschenschank Emmerich, Die Buschenschenkerei, Wagnerei, among others.

The Vienna City Walk 1 descends gently amid vineyards, with views of Vienna and the Danube. 

The way back to Nussdorf Beethovengang Tram Station is mostly intuitive. Eichelhofweg road leads to Eichelhofstraße street, which you’ll follow until you reach Nussberggasse street. Turn right on Nussberggasse and then turn left on Bockkellergasse street. 

Bockkellergasse steers you to the Nussdorf Beethovengang Tram Station. 

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Where to Stay in Vienna

Budget | Vienna Hostel Ruthensteiner is a friendly accommodation near Vienna’s Westbahnhof train station. In addition to on-site bike rental and regular events such as barbecues and movie nights, the hostel offers a welcoming atmosphere for travelers from all over the world.

Midrange | Hotel Schani Salon is an excellent hotel located on Mariahilfer Straße, Vienna’s biggest shopping street, a few steps away from the Neubaugasse U-Bahn station (U3). We love this Vienna hotel, because of the bright, modern rooms, the friendly vibe, the communal lounge and bar, and the helpful staff. Breakfast is healthy and varied. 

Luxury | Altstadt Vienna is a boutique 4-star hotel in the charming Spittelberg quarter, close to Kunsthistorisches Museum. This contemporary-art-filled hotel features uniquely designed interiors and a hidden rooftop terrace (open from March until October). A wonderful breakfast is served in the Red Salon daily. In the afternoon, complimentary tea and homemade cakes are served in front of the open fireplace. 

Luxury | The Leo Grand is advantageously located in the inner district of Vienna, steps away from Peterskirche, Stephansdom, and the Graben. This top-rated hotel features luxurious rooms with romantic, pastel-colored furnishings and decor. Stay here for the unbeatable location, helpful personnel, and fairy tale vibes. Breakfast is available at an extra charge.

Luxury | The palatial Hotel Imperial harkens back to imperial times with its grand, antique-filled interiors and sumptuous rooms and suites (fit for royalty). This 5-star hotel is set on the Ringstrasse boulevard in the heart of Vienna, walking distance to the Vienna Opera House, the Kärntner Strasse shopping street, Karlskirche, and the Musikverein concert hall. This hotel features a cocktail bar in the historic Hallensalon, rooftop fitness center with a sauna, on-site restaurant (Opus) and café (Café Imperial). Breakfast available.

Look for accommodation in Vienna.

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More Vienna Travel Guides

City Guide:

• Vienna City Guide
• Vienna Hidden Gems
• How to Get Vienna State Opera Standing Tickets

Food and Wine:

• Best Restaurants in Vienna
• Vienna’s Wine Taverns
• Traditional Coffee Houses in Vienna

Winter Travel:

• Vienna in December
• Vienna in January
• Vienna Rainbow Ball

Day Trips:

• Wachau Valley

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