Erlaufursprung

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty easy

Route 8,1 km

Time 2:05 h

Uphill 90 hm

Downhill 90 hm

Highest point 915 m

Easy hike to the Erlaufursprung - especially worth seeing at the time of snowmelt!

The source of the ErlaufA very interesting phenomenon from a karst hydrographic point of view. Mostly only to be found as a dry streambed, where at a fault the entrance to a cave leads away. In dry periods, about 30 meters of these shaft-like cavities could be traversed. The end is formed by the water level of a siphon, about 25 meters below the entrance.

During heavy rains and during snowmelt, the cavities fill up in a short time. Then the cave functions as a "waterspout", as a powerful "spillway" emerges.

Best season

January

February

March

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June

July

August

September

October

November

December

More information

Coming from Bruck an der Mur via the B20 over the Seebergsattel and through Gußwerk, past Mariazell to St. Sebastian, in St. Sebastian turn left onto the Erlaufseestraße and always follow the road.

Coming from St. Pölten take the B20 (Annaberg and Josefsberg) to Mitterbach. In Mitterbach turn right onto Seestraße and always follow the road.

Paid parking directly at the lake Erlaufsee.

We walk on the Lower Austrian side of the lake (past some Bankerln) along an asphalt road.

The road is mostly flat and right next to the lake. After about 15-20 minutes we reach a gravel road, which we follow as well until we finally reach the "Gut Lindenhof".

At the Lindenhof we go straight past, following the forest road until we reach the sign on the left (Brunnsteinweg-Erlaufsprung).You are now on the Brunnsteinweg and follow a beautiful forest path, in this case to the Erlaufursprung.

Return the same way.

Caution is advised when descending to the exit at the cave entrance!

Emergency call mountain rescue: 140

Emergency reporting tip - provide answers to the six W questions: What happened? How many injured? Where did the accident happen (possibly GPS coordinates)? Who is reporting (callback number)? When did the accident happen? Weather at the accident site?

Safety tips for a carefree hiking trip with dog can be found here

Sturdy shoes are needed!

Proper backpacking makes many things easier: Pack heavy things first. The water bottle should always be within easy reach in a side pocket. All things that are often needed such as sunglasses, camera or hiking map belong on top. An emergency kit including blister plaster belongs in every backpack and a clothing according to the "onion system" is always recommended.

Do not forget your camera!

How to get there

www.mariazellerbahn.at

www.verbundlinie.at

www.museumstramway.at

Tourism Association Hochsteiermark - Office Mariazeller Land

Main square 13, 8630 Mariazell

T: +43 3882 2366

tourismus@mariazell-info.at

www.mariazell-info.at

Hiking map available free of charge at the office of the Tourist Association Hochsteiermark - Mariazeller Land!