Anyone arriving at Refugium Hochstrass can feel it straight away: this is the start of a break with real depth. Nowhere is this more striking than on the evening lantern walk – a quiet experience that touches all the senses. In the warm glow of the lanterns, we enter the forest at night. Step by step, the path leads us along the old Way of the Cross, past the mysterious quarry and up to the woodland cemetery. There, the treetops give way to a vast starry sky, and we step out onto a hilltop where the landscape unfolds in the soft moonlight. It is a moment of reflection and stillness – and an experience of nature that stays with you long afterwards.
The lantern walk is part of a lovingly designed supporting programme that Refugium Hochstrass offers seminar and retreat groups. Whether as an opener, a team-building moment or simply a way to round off an intense day, the activities are varied and always close to nature, unhurried and inspiring. They include guided forest explorations in which you discover the Vienna Woods from a new perspective. For those who want to express themselves creatively, there is group painting on canvas – with no rules, just colours, ideas and joy.
Movement and adventure are not neglected either: in archery, participants train their concentration and precision, while management training with Noriker horses focuses on leadership skills and body language. Those who prefer to think in rhythm will find their beat with the drumming team led by Edith Schipani-Surböck – an experience that not only brings people together but also relieves stress.
On the culinary side, the Refugium scores with moments of pure enjoyment, such as a pizza-baking session in the summer kitchen or a hike along the Elsbeer trail followed by a tasting of fine schnapps in the distillery.
All these activities can be combined individually and adapted to the size of the group and the character of the event. The only important thing is to book in good time – ideally two weeks before the date.
Refugium Hochstrass enjoys an idyllic yet easily accessible location between Vienna, St. Pölten and Linz. As a former monastery with extensive woodland grounds, a focus on sustainability, modern seminar facilities and warm hospitality, it is the ideal place for seminars, team events or personal retreats. And by the time you are walking through the forest at night by lantern light, it becomes clear: something special happens here.
The complete 2025 supporting programme, including prices and details, can be found here.
