Remember when this was just a big hole? The Badeteich Hirschstetten has a surprising origin story. It is not a natural lake in Vienna’s 22nd district. This popular swimming spot started as a schottergrube.
Around 1965, the area had a lot of gravel. So, they began digging near Breitenlee. Soon they hit groundwater. This created a pond. By the mid-1970s, the schotterteich reached its maximum size. It stretched between Spargelfeldstrasse, Bibernellweg, and Ziegelhofstrasse. A sportplatz also bordered it.
Once the gravel digging stopped, no one knew what to do with the water. Some wanted to fill it with garbage. Thankfully that plan failed. Instead, a group of city gardeners stepped in. They were supported by seasonal workers from Burgenland. They began shaping the shore. They used plants from city nurseries.
Today, the Badeteich Hirschstetten is a favorite spot. People come here to swim. Some enjoy fishing. In winter, it is even used for ice-skating. The Badeteich Hirschstetten offers fun for everyone all year.
There is a kid’s play area. It also features a “Baby Bay” with sand. Even dogs have their own zone. They can run and swim here. Please note that grilling is not allowed. Also, don’t feed the water birds. It helps keep the water clean.
Feeling hungry? Visit the “Buffet zur Babybucht”. It is near the Baby Bay. It opens on very hot summer days. For a proper meal, try “Laguna am Ziegelhofteich”. You can find this restaurant on the eastern shore. It is near Ziegelhofstrasse.
If you are swimming near the dog zone, watch out for a surprise. There is a large concrete block under the water. It is about 7 meters high. The top is just a meter below the surface. This block is about 50 meters from the western shore.
The water quality at the Badeteich Hirschstetten is tested regularly. The lab checks it three times each season. They then share the results. So you can check if the water is safe.
Getting here is easy. The Badeteich Hirschstetten is well-connected. You can take the 85A bus. Other options include the U2 U-Bahn and tram 26. Several bus lines also stop nearby. These include 22A, 95A, N24, and N25.
The closest tram stop is Ziegelhofstr. It is just a minute’s walk away. If you are coming by bus, Zanggasse is your best bet. It is about a 2-minute walk. Pirquetgasse is another option, about 4 minutes away. The Badeteich Hirschstetten is a testament to nature reclaiming industrial space, offering a refreshing escape within the city.