Vienna Woods Wine Tour from Vienna: Forest Hike & Tastings

Hike the Vienna Woods ridge above Baden, then taste wine where Austrian monks pioneered viticulture.

A private guided tour from Vienna into the Vienna Woods and Thermal Region combines forest and vineyard hiking (summer) or wine history visits (winter) with two tastings led by local winemakers in the wine village of Gumpoldskirchen. The tour departs from Wien Mitte railway station, includes train transport, lunch at a traditional Austrian wine tavern, and runs 8 hours round-trip with an English-speaking guide. Summer brings a 9km hike through Baden's parks and forested trails to an elevated viewpoint overlooking the Vienna basin; winter focuses on Austria's oldest wine-making institutions and intimate conversations with vintners about climate, organic methods and the future of the region.

Step-by-step itinerary

Vienna Woods Wine Tour and Tastings

• Meet at Wien Mitte station
• Train to Vienna Woods region
• Summer: Hike Baden village and vineyards
• Summer: Open-air wine tasting in vineyards
• Winter: Visit historic wine-making institution
• Winter: Welcome glass of sekt tasting
• Visit Gumpoldskirchen wine village
• Summer: Lunch then wine tasting
• Winter: Wine tasting then lunch
• Train back to Vienna city centre

The Experience

The day starts at Wien Mitte railway station at 9:00am (summer) or 9:30am (winter), then a 30-minute train ride carries you south into the Vienna Woods. In summer, you arrive in Baden—the spa town where Beethoven once retreated—and begin a 9km hike through the town's parks and forest trails. The route climbs to an elevated viewpoint that opens onto the entire Vienna basin and the Wienerwald canopy below; this spot alone stops most hikers to photograph. You then descend into the vineyards themselves, walking row after row of lush green vines before breaking for an open-air wine tasting among the plants.

Winter takes a different path. Instead of hiking, the train brings you directly to one of Austria's oldest wine-making institutions, founded in 1141 by monastic orders who became the region's first wine pioneers. A guide walks you through how those monks shaped the Austrian wine landscape and what direction it is moving now—all while holding a welcome glass of sekt. The winter itinerary includes a gentle 20-minute walk through flat vineyards as you move between villages, so dress warmly for that stretch.

Both routes converge in Gumpoldskirchen, the picturesque wine village at the heart of the Thermal Region. Summer groups have lunch first, then taste wines; winter groups taste before lunch. Either way, one of the region's finest winemakers leads the tasting and sits for questions—family history, climate impacts, organic production methods, the pressures modern vintners face. A short train ride returns you to the city centre by late afternoon, leaving time to freshen up before dinner, the opera, or a concert.

What’s included

• Guided forest and vineyard hike or wine history visit with live English-language commentary.
• train transport from Wien Mitte station to Baden or the Thermal Region and back to Vienna.
• two wine tastings led by local winemakers.
• lunch at a traditional Austrian wine tavern in Gumpoldskirchen.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Venture Vienna - Outdoor Activities & Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the summer tour if you want the elevated views and the physical engagement of hiking through Baden's trails and vineyards; choose winter if you prefer to stay mostly indoors while learning about Austrian wine history and meeting vintners in an intimate setting. The summer hike covers 9km with regular breaks and suits most fitness levels, but requires comfortable footwear and is not suitable for people with mobility issues. Winter involves less walking—just a gentle 20-minute vineyard stroll—and works better if you want to focus on conversation and wine knowledge rather than landscape.

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Top questions

What's the difference between the summer and winter versions of this tour?

Summer (April–October) centers on a 9km hike through Baden's parks and forest trails to an elevated viewpoint, then through vineyards for an open-air tasting. Winter (November–March) replaces the hike with visits to a 12th-century wine institution and a gentle 20-minute vineyard walk, focusing on Austrian wine history and winemaking traditions instead of the landscape views.

How much walking is involved on this tour?

Summer includes a 9km guided hike with regular breaks built in; winter has a gentle 20-minute walk through flat vineyards between villages. The summer hike is accessible for most people, though it is not suitable for those with mobility issues. Winter is mostly indoors at the wine institution and tavern.

What happens at the wine tastings?

A local winemaker leads both tastings and stays to answer questions about family background, climate change, organic production methods, and the challenges facing modern Austrian vintners. Summer includes a tasting among the vines; winter includes a tasting at the wine institution. Both groups taste again in Gumpoldskirchen after or before lunch.

Does the tour include lunch?

Yes. Lunch is served at a traditional Austrian wine tavern in Gumpoldskirchen. Summer groups eat before the afternoon tasting; winter groups taste before lunch.

What should I bring and wear?

Summer: comfortable trainers or hiking shoes, shorts or light trousers, t-shirt, hat, light rain jacket, rucksack with water, sun cream, and a fully charged camera. Winter: dress warmly based on the weather forecast, bring a camera and cash, and possibly an umbrella. Both seasons require cash for any additional purchases and a mask for public transport in Vienna.

Where does the tour start and how long does it take?

The tour meets at Wien Mitte railway station in Vienna at 9:00am (summer) or 9:30am (winter) and lasts 8 hours round-trip, including train transport to and from the Vienna Woods. You return to the city centre in time for evening plans.