Ruine Kaja car park - shady loop around the ruins and back to the car park.
- Official stream access to cool your feet and unwind
- Habitat of the rare European noble crayfish
- Kaja Castle ruins
The loop begins on the path that leads across a meadow at the end of the car park. In spring, with a bit of luck, you can see young grass frogs jumping away here.
At the end of the meadow, a first bridge leads over the stream. A little later at the second bridge, there is official access to the water. This can be used to refresh your feet in the cool water or to make rafts out of small branches, stalks and leaves and let them float away: from here along the Thaya, into the March, further into the Danube and finally into the Black Sea.
Even on hot summer days, it is pleasantly shady and cool in the Kajabachtal under the canopy of maples, elms and alders.
At the bridge where the Thayatalweg branches off, it is worth taking a look into the water. Perhaps one of the noble crayfish living here will show up during the day. The animals are usually active at dusk, but sometimes they are spotted along the river bank.
The last part of the trail leads uphill to the Kaja ruins. These are open at weekends during the season from May to October (Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from 10.00 to 17.00). Group tours are possible at any time with advance reservation by telephone: +43 2948 8450-0.
- The 800-year-old Kaja Castle ruins are picturesquely situated in the midst of unspoilt nature. From the keep, you can enjoy a beautiful overview of the national park forest in the Kajabach valley. Impressive also are the dungeon and the more than 50-metre-deep well.
"Close water contact” is expressly permitted at the second bridge over the Kajabach. Elsewhere, however, the motto is: "Thanks we're just looking!” In the national park, the plants and animals in the water also enjoy protection. Thank you for your consideration.
