Haugsdorf between winegrowing and culture

Haugsdorf combines a history of winegrowing with cellar lanes, historic buildings and trails through the countryside. For your trip planning, you can explore these themes according to your interests: the ÖKO hiking trail focuses on the development of winegrowing, while the church, Way of the Cross and Schüttkasten tell other chapters in the town’s history. The outdoor swimming pool and cultural events also offer practical starting points for planning your stay.

Winegrowing and cellar lanes

Of the approximately 547 hectares of vineyard area in the municipality, about 70 percent is planted with red wine grapes and about 30 percent with white wine grapes. The ÖKO hiking trail on Hutberg focuses on vineyard work: information boards show the centuries-long development of winegrowing and the activities carried out throughout the year.

The cellar lanes reveal another side of this winegrowing culture. In Haugsdorf, they are lined with acacia, walnut and chestnut trees. The Große Kellertrift runs for about one kilometre through a picturesque sunken lane to the 296-metre-high Hutberg. Guided tours of the Große Kellertrift are available by arrangement. The meeting point is the Keller-Wohlfühlplatz in the Große Trift; from there, the route leads through a picturesque sunken lane up to Hutberg.

The Keller-Wohlfühlplatz at the Kitla-Keller offers seating, information about the region and bicycle-service equipment such as a pump and tools. As availability may be seasonal, it is advisable to check in advance. The Pulkautal wine experience tour passes through Haugsdorf along its route; check the latest route information before setting off.

Church, Way of the Cross and local history

The Gothic hall church in Haugsdorf is considered one of the few medieval churches to have retained its original form. The rectory opposite the church contains frescoes in some of its rooms. Its fresco decoration is comparable to that of the garden pavilion at Melk Abbey. The former seigneurial granary took on its Baroque appearance in 1726/28. Following its restoration, the municipality uses it as a village and cultural centre.

The Haugsdorf Way of the Cross comprises 14 stations and is about two kilometres long. It follows the Pulkau stream to the Mandl-Graben, continues to the St. Anthony’s Chapel and then returns to the transformer station. The named stations and landscape features give the route a clear course.

Cultural events and outdoor trails

Franz von Zülow moved to Haugsdorf in 1909. By 1915, the “Monatshefte” had been created there with the help of his mother Marie and his sister Mitzi. Annual exhibitions and guided walks along the Zülow trail, together with other activities, keep the artist’s memory alive. Dates may vary.

“KUNST & WEIN” is also held annually in mid-August in the Haugsdorf cellar lane. The event combines exhibitions and readings with the enjoyment of fine wines. As specific dates and programme details vary, check them before planning a trip around the event.

Parkbad Haugsdorf offers views of the vineyards and Hutberg. The solar-heated outdoor pool has a 35-metre water slide; it also includes a children’s pool and a sunbathing lawn with a beach volleyball court. Check the facilities before your visit. At Freiheitskreuz, there is a path leading up and a skills trail; the viewpoint has a bench and offers long-distance views.

A route description dated 2 September 2025 also describes a circular hike of about five kilometres from the Amtshaus via the Große Kellertrift to Freiheitskreuz and back around the Schatzweingärten. Compared with the approximately two-kilometre Way of the Cross, the hikes described differ both in length and in their named waypoints.

Discover more destinations: Auggenthal, Watzelsdorf, Dürnleis, Braunsdorf, Retz, Großkadolz, Mailberg, Ebersbrunn.

For the overview of the wider area: Hollabrunn.