Bernstein Trail

The first advanced civilizations of mankind were accompanied by the development of trade which was the origin of the oldest form of travel. The Romans were already looking for a safe route at the time of Christ's birth to bring one of the greatest treasures of the time, the legendary amber, from the Baltic to the port of Aquileia on the Adriatic coast. A corridor was the perfect solution, avoiding the unprotected plains of the Puszta Pannonia as well as the impassable Alps. Following this border between these two landscapes from north to south, a path was created exactly where Burgenland extends today. The Roman Amber Road "Bernsteinstraße".

Isn't it a fascinating idea to put on your hiking boots and follow in the footsteps of the Romans along the Roman Amber Road wrapped in myths? From the Carnuntum legionary camp in the north to the Roman burial mounds near St. Martin an der Raab in the south. Also to discover Burgenland and its gems step by step in between: The Lake Neusiedler See - Seewinkel National Park, countless cultural monuments, relaxing thermal baths and the charming taverns and cellar lanes in the idyllic vineyards. You'll be staying in authentic, hiker-friendly accommodations and can take advantage of the award-winning Trail Angels' long-distance hiking services in the "Official Bernstein Trail Info & Booking Center". The two side trips to neighbouring Hungary make this exciting trip a borderless pleasure. It’s an enjoyable hike between the Alps and Puszta - along the new Bernstein Trail.

The Bernstein Trail is aimed at the connoisseurs among the long-distance hikers who face the hustle and bustle of everyday life with the intention to slow down. The focus is not on breaking records or best performances, but on consciously discovering Burgenland: insights into its beguiling diversity of nature and culture. Staying in enchanting places, wine, typical Burgenland cuisine and inspiring encounters with cordial people. All this makes the Bernstein Trail a fascinating and sustainable hiking trip off the beaten track. Ideally in spring or late autumn, when the mild, Pannonian influenced climate of Burgenland already or still provides the best hiking conditions.

The best season for a Trail journey on the Bernstein Trail is from the beginning of March to the end of November and depends on the general weather conditions.


Suitable:

• Spring (March, April, May, June): Due to the mild Pannonian climate, the Bernstein Trail is probably the earliest hikable long-distance trail in Austria. Snow is also not to be expected in March in the higher altitudes, e.g. on the Geschriebenstein, and by the beginning of April at the latest nature blossoms beautifully. The temperatures are also very pleasant at this time of year.
• Autumn (September, October, November): clear air, discolouring woods and pleasant temperatures - and the grape harvest on top. Hiking in autumn is beautiful on the Bernstein Trail. In November, however, the fog can be quite persistent.

Suitable with limitations

• Midsummer (July, August): To be honest, even July and August are good months for hiking - but heat waves should not be underestimated: On some stages there are few shady forests and the stages are often long enough that you can't avoid the midday heat.

Not suitable:

• Winter (December, January, February): In general you can hike along the Bernstein Trail almost the whole year (snow usually remains only for a few days), but temperatures and frequent fog are not that inviting,

On the Bernstein Trail you travel as an individual hiker (without the guidance of a mountain guide) on marked mountain paths, partly in high alpine mountain regions with altitudes of up to 2.400m. For the Alpe-Adria-Trail you need alpine hiking experience, which includes not only the correct self-assessment of the technical and physical requirements for the points listed below, but also experience in orientation in the terrain (including reading topographical maps) and in how to react in case of bad weather.

You will be well looked after and supported by our organisation on the Bernstein Trail. Nevertheless you are travelling as an independent hiker (unless you optionally book a mountain guide). We would like to point out that despite our tour organisation you are on your personal responsibility on the Bernstein Trail.

Technical requirements: Easy to Moderate
From a technical point of view, the Bernstein Trail has easy and sometimes moderate difficulties: The stages are mostly on easy mountain paths with blue points - short stretches are on moderately difficult mountain paths with red points. (classification Austrian Alpine Club).
That means:

• Mountain paths" means: unpaved paths are partly rooty or stony.
• Difficult parts of the trail are mostly narrow and often steep.
• There are no rope-secured walking passages on the Bernstein Trail.
• Due to exposure to the weather or short-term extreme weather events, hiking trails may be in a worse condition (e.g. slippery) or less visible due to fog.

In order to be able to manage this as a mountain hiker without problems you need to be:

• surefooted

Conditional requirements: More demanding
The Alpe-Adria-Trail is a bit more demanding in terms of fitness<

• Ascent performance depending on the stage up to 900 meters of height difference
• Descents depending on the stage up to 900 meters of height difference
• Path length up to 27 km depending on the stage

Even if all three maximum values never come together at one stage, this means a pure hiking time between 5 and 7 hours.

The calculation of walking times is based on the Outdooractive formula (Outdooractive is one of the world's largest suppliers of tour documents and market leader in the German-speaking world). This includes brisk walking times, which correspond approximately to the average speed of a well-trained mountain hiker.

Attention: All data are pure walking times, i.e. breaks have to be added.
Appropriate conditional preparation is strongly recommended. Our tip: As you are on a multi-day tour here, you should have already hiked a day tour with similar fitness requirements. You can also plan a rest day in between, on which you can regenerate yourself.

Further Information:

• The Bernstein Trail is suitable for children from 12 years of age with very good physical condition.
• Long-distance hiking and trekking routes are little or not suitable for people with disabilities due to their requirements. In order to clarify individual cases (degree of reduced mobility), it is recommended to contact the Trail Info & Booking Center before booking.

It is often difficult to personally assess whether a trail is suitable for you. If you are unsure about this or if you want to know which stages are best for you, just contact us. We will gladly advise you. However, this does not release you from the responsibility of your own self-assessment.

For the Bernstein Trail you need hiking equipment for the low mountain range.

• The equipment list you can find under this link lists the minimum equipment needed for this trip.
• Of course you can or should add the items that you personally need for the trip or with which you have had good experience (e.g. medication, special sun protection, larger water bottle, etc.)

Further preliminary information about the equipment on the Bernstein Trail:

• The carrying along and wearing of a mask covering mouth and nose (FFP2 mask) is mandatory in many areas of the hotels as well as in public life.
• Some stages do not offer much shade when hiking. Together with the low altitude between 150 m and 900 m above sea level, it can get hot in midsummer on these stages. This should be taken into account when choosing sun protection, clothing and the size of water bottles.
• Make sure you have enough food and sufficiently large drinking bottles, as there are not refreshment facilities and wells on all stages.

Tip: With our luggage service you can easily keep your daypack light while your heavy luggage (up to 20 kg) is taken to the next booked accommodation. We recommend the purchase of luggage protection insurance - for more information, please contact us.

For a closer look, check out the detailed information for each stage along the trail here. The times are average values and may vary depending on personal fitness, number and length of breaks, weather conditions, etc.

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Feel free to load map material from Google maps.

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Along the trail three different accommodation categories - regional evaluation - are offered:

Basic: clean, functional – inn or B&B
Classic: good-quality, mid-range accommodation – 2 or 3-star inn or hotel
Comfort: high-end accommodation – 4-star hotel (some with spa area)

Children (ages 6 to 14) staying in their parents’ room are charged at a 35% discount (provided both adults pay full price).

On the Bernstein Trail your dog can be on the way with you. The extra costs for a dog range between € 5,00 and € 20,00 (without food; per night) and will be paid directly on site in the accommodation.

Three different types of catering are available to you in the partner establishments:

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet or hearty breakfast served at the table
Half board: breakfast plus dinner (mostly 3-course menu in the hotel or by voucher in a nearby restaurant)
Regional half board: half board with special local dinner

Please enter special wishes for the catering (vegetarian, vegan, intolerances ...) in the field "Comments". The Trail Info & Booking Center will try to fulfill your non-binding customer request.

For the realization of your trouble-free Trail journey a comprehensive mobility service is offered:

Luggage service: Hiking with a light daypack; while your luggage (max. 20 kg) is taken from accommodation to accommodation. How?
It's very simple: In the morning you drop off your luggage at the reception and at the end of the hiking day it will be waiting for you in your next accommodation. We recommend that you purchase luggage protection insurance.

Return transport: As essential as convenient. Our mobility service (collective transport) takes you from the destination of your trail journey comfortably back to your starting point.

Shuttle Services: The shuttle services required for the trail journey are included in the overall mobility package.
Our Mobility partners reserve the right to transport your dog in the luggage compartment.

In addition, we can also book recommended shuttle services such as the train station shuttle. If extra shuttle services are required during the trail trip, e.g. in case of bad weather, illness, etc., we will be happy to organize them. These shuttle services are not included in the travel price.

The Trail Info & Booking Center offers a comprehensive range of services to make your Trail adventure run as smoothly as possible:


Trail Hotline: Our team is at your service with advice and practical support for the duration of your Trail journey. Even outside our normal office hours, you can reach us daily from 8:00 to 20:00.

Trail Guide: Our certified and authorized hiking guides are well trained and have an excellent knowledge of the area. In addition, they have a great knowledge of Burgenland's nature and culture, which makes a hike with our guides a varied and safe trail trip. All costs incurred by the guide (overnight stay, meals, travel costs) are included in the Guide package price.


Comprehensive Travel Information: an expertly compiled folder (PDF, print@home) with detailed, in-depth information will be sent to you in time for you to prepare your Trail journey.

You have three travel options (not included in the price) to reach the starting point of your Lynx Trail journey:

By car: Parking is available at the beginning of each stage of the Trail (please note that the parking facilities in Johnsbach are very limited). Further details can be found in your booking documents. The majority of car parks are free of charge, and unmonitored (parking at your own risk). At the end of your Trail journey, our return transfer takes you back to your vehicle.

By train: The following stations are at your disposal: Stations: Vienna Central Station, Parndorf, Neusiedl am See, Deutschkreuz Jennersdorf and Köszeg. The Bernstein Trail is therefore very suitable for travelling by train.

By plane: The following international airports can be recommended for arriving by plane - Vienna, Bratislava and Graz.

Arrival shuttle service - not included in the price: Brings you to the starting point of your trail journey and at the end of the tour back to the ideal train station or airport. The Trail Info & Booking Center will be happy to organise this shuttle service for you.

This is where Trail travellers find an especially warm welcome: ranging from 4 star spa hotels to simple B&Bs, our partner establishments have been hand-picked, and actively contribute to the development of the Trail.

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Here you will find all relevant information about your travel destination such as currency, entry requirements, food & drink, health and vaccinations and literature tips.

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Trail Information & Booking center, Travel Agent
Trail Angels GmbH
9821 Obervellach 15
Austria

We arrange your tour operator
Trail Angels GmbH
Obervellach 15, 9821 Obervellach, Österreich
Eintragungs-NR. Veranstalterverz. des bmwfi: 2016/0005
Tel: +43 4782 93093
Email: info@bookyourtrail.com

Here you will find the travel terms of your trail operator:

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