Things to do in the Gesäuse
Experience the Gesäuse actively all year round
The roar. The mountains. The din. Yes, I’m so many things. I’m a national park, a nature park, a UNESCO Global Geopark, a Dark Sky Reserve and pure wilderness. I’m the rushing Enns, the wild Salza. The great adventure, the glorious silence. Whether you’re hiking, mountaineering, rafting, exploring nature or visiting a museum – where would you like to get to know me today?
Highlights
Summer or winter – there’s always something to do and marvel at in the Gesäuse! Whether it’s an active holiday, enjoying nature or cultural highlights: here we show you the most beautiful sights.
Snowshoe walking along the Lahngang | © TV Gesäuse | Christoph Lukas
Raftingcamp | © NP Gesäuse | Stefan Leitner
Mountainbike tour to the Grabneralm | © TV Gesäuse | Christoph Lukas
Cross-country skiing on the Kaiserau in Gesäuse I Styria | © TV Gesäuse | Christoph Lukas
Haflingerhof_c-Stefan Leitner_Gesaeuse_7 | © NP Gesäuse | Stefan Leitner
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
In summer, the Gesäuse is a paradise for all outdoor enthusiasts, nature lovers and culture vultures.
Some highlights:
- Hiking, mountaineering and climbing: hikes to mountain huts, long-distance hikes, gorge walks, themed trails, etc.
- Water sports: rafting, canyoning, lakes for swimming, etc.
- Cycling: MTB tours, the Bussi Baba gravel trail, cycle paths
- Culture: Admont Abbey, museums, Strechau Castle, Gallenstein Castle ruins
- Nature experiences and guided tours: Gesäuse National Park, Styrian Eisenwurzen Nature and Geopark, Dürrenstein-Lassingtal Wilderness Area, Dark Sky Reserve
- Many other activities such as archery, tennis, golf, horse riding or mini-golf
Peaceful and authentic: as our region is renowned for its unspoilt natural beauty, the focus here is primarily on gentle winter sports, alpine tranquillity and experiencing nature.
Some highlights:
- Ski touring & snowshoeing
- Guided ranger tours through the nature reserves
- Cross-country skiing & tobogganing
- Alpine skiing on the Kaiserau
- Ice skating
- Winter culture & wellness
- Advent markets & traditions
Any weather is good weather! In the Gesäuse region, for example, the following are ideal when it rains:
- Admont Abbey Library and a visit to the abbey with its five museums
- Museums in the region, e.g. the Silvanum Forestry Museum, the HochQuellenWasser Museum, the Steyr Car Museum at Strechau Castle, GeoRama Gams, Historama Hieflau
- City Rock climbing centre in Liezen
- Wellness, e.g. at the Hotel Spirodom’s Day Spa or at the GrimmingTherme
- Galerie Fokus in Admont
- Cinema at Starmovie Liezen
- Tennis in Liezen
- Some themed trails and caves in the Gesäuse are perfect for exploring in the rain
In the Gesäuse region, families can look forward to exciting outdoor adventures and impressive nature spotting.
Some highlights:
- Sankt Gallen Water Adventure Park
- Admont Abbey & Natural History Museum
- Rafting on the River Salza (ages 6 and over)
- Weidendom Nature Discovery Centre
- Walking trails and themed trails, e.g. Lettmair Au, Der Wilde John, Zinkgraben
- Wasserlochklamm Gorge, Palfau
- GeoWerkstatt Gams
- Pürgschachen raised bog
- Swimming lakes
- Gesäuse Adventure Golf
- Alpaca walks, amongst other activities
Yes, the local transport options range from buses, shared taxis (booked by phone) and trains to taxis and the Rail&Drive car-sharing scheme.
You can see the starry sky clearly from anywhere here on clear nights – a few particularly good spots for stargazing are:
- Buchauer Sattel: Mountain panoramas and night-time photos
- Weidendom Adventure Centre: Views of the sky and the Hochtor Group
- Forstgarten Campsite: Sleeping under the stars
- Kölblwirt Johnsbach: Overnight stay in the Sternderl Suite
- Buchsteinhaus & Ennstalerhütte: Mountain huts right beneath the starry sky
- Gallenstein Castle Ruins: Viewpoint and guided tours
- Lackneralm Palfau: Nature Friends’ hut, viewpoint and overnight accommodation
- Leckermoos raised bog: Nature reserve and fascinating views
In the Gesäuse, you’ll find everything a hiker’s heart desires, from easy walks suitable for pushchairs to technically challenging crossings. Families and leisure hikers have plenty of options for gentle introductory walks, such as the accessible Lettmair Au, the ‘Der wilde John’ adventure trail or the Zinkgraben.
Yes! To protect the natural environment, cycling and mountain biking are strictly limited to the official routes and the time restrictions specified for them. Among the most popular and officially approved routes are: the Hochscheibenalm Route, the Johnsbacher Almenrunde, the Ennsboden and Rauchboden trails, the Buchsteinrunde, the Trans National Park route and the first gravel bike route, Bussi Baba.
The best time for white-water sports in the Gesäuse is from May to September. May and June (due to the snowmelt) are ideal for action-packed white-water experiences. The summer months of July and August are perfect for more moderate trips, families and warmer weather.
Due to the strong current and for nature conservation reasons, swimming is only permitted in specially designated areas, such as at the Weidendom Adventure Centre and at the Forstgarten campsite (near Johnsbach/Admont).
