since it was getting warmer outside every day, we decided to do some hiking. so we picked a nice looking hike in the helenental. the helenental is south-west of vienna, and it roughly takes one 30 minutes to get there by car. fortunately this day we had a car, since two friends of ours, steffi and niko, joined us; and they happen to own a car. so we left vienna around noon, and soon arrived at the parking lot that leads right to the start of the round trip. the trail is around ten kilometres long and rather easy. a few steeper sections are included, but they were no problem. the weather was mild, with temperatures around 15 degrees celsius, and plenty of sunshine. as the trees still had not come into blossom, there was plenty of light reaching down to the ground; which in turn created a carpet of lush green, that was intensified by the sunlight; so the scenery was all brown and green. yes, it definitely is spring time. since there was such a plethora of bear's garlic, we decided to pluck some leaves and take them home to make some pesto, or soup. after about half an hour later everyone came back with a big bag of wild garlic. this was a wonderful tour to start the hiking season and welcome spring. there were almost no other hikers, and the tranquillity, peacefulness and seclusion was a treat to the loud and busy daily business in the city - what a nice refuge from the constant hectic in the capital.