Colourful Contrasts.

Challenge: 1 (sandal)
Hike route: Wienzeile via Dunklergasse, Gürtel, Naschmarkt and Karlsplatz Length: 4.29km
Start point: Bruno-Pittermann-Platz (underground station)
Coordinates: 48°11'3.05"N, 16°20'2.34"E
Public transport: Via underground lines U4 and U6 > Längenfeldgasse  

ROUTE DESCRIPTION
Backpack fastened, this time full of expectation, rather than provisions, in hopes of finding treasures and rarities at Naschmarkt, the city flea market, and food market, it's name literally translates as Nosh Market. We urbs have decided beforehand however, to make a real journey of discovery out of it.

The route takes us through the subculture around the Gürtel, the Vienna ring road, past the ostentatious buildings of the Wienzeile and icons of Art Nouveau, all the way to the Karlskirche church a prime example of baroque architecture. But the atmosphere along the route is just as varied as the architecture. 

A city wilderness given over to nature, lonely streets and squares, roaring traffic, any number of places to do sport (skateboarding, basketball, football, and volleyball), colourful crowds and couples making out, but also the stillness of the church and recreational parks are all to be found here. Our only true companions, that stay with us for the whole journey, are the pigeons, white, black, grey and brown, iridescent and scruffy.  

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ROUTE
Behind the first underground station, Längenfeldgasse, at the start of Storchengasse, you find Bruno-Pittermann-Platz. Cross the square in the direction of the river and walk as far as the underground station's second entrance. Turn into the narrow street behind this building, the street called Dunklergasse, and keep close to the underground wall, until you reach a way down on the left.

Go through, passing skatepark and basketball courts until you reach the Gaudenzdorfer Gürtel overpass (Burger King). Cross this and hike through the green spaces (city wilderness) in the direction of the Margaretengürtel underground station. Turn gently right over Margaretengürtel.

This brings you to Bruno-Kreisky-Park, where the Wien can be seen flowing again at the end, and which you can simply follow from now on. Go past the Pilgramgasse underground station through Naschmarkt, until you reach the Secession. Cross Operngasse here, in the direction of Kunsthalle, which you pass, and then go down into Resselpark and then follow along the face of Karlskirche.  

LOCAL TIPS
 
Naschmarkt
opening times: Weekdays: 6am to 6:30pm
Saturday: 6am to 5pm

Flohmarkt
opening times: Saturday 6:30am to 6pm
http://www.wienernaschmarkt.eu/  
Sport facilities along the route Skatepark and basketball

court 15 Dunklergasse
Sportkäfige Gaudenzdorfer-Gürtel 51
The cage championships take place here!  
Children's play areas on the route Bruno-Kreisky-Park and Karlsplatz  

Colombo Hoppers
Exotic delicacies from Sri Lanka
1050 Wien, Schönbrunner Straße 84
http://www.colombohoppers.com

Book
‘Auf dem Naschmarkt’
by Achim Schneyder and Rudolf Semotan
An ABC of the Naschmarkt, also for those who know it well