Wienerbruck - Ötscherhias - Vorderötscher - Erlaufklause

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 17,4 km

Time 5:40 h

Uphill 495 hm

Downhill 463 hm

Highest point 940 m

Impressive hike through the Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park with a guaranteed nature experience. Another highlight of the tour is the return trip with the Mariazellerbahn.

The Ötschergräben are among the top 5 power places in Mariazeller Land: Treat yourself to your personal time-out with a cozy picnic at the power places of Mariazeller Land. Power places have a striking, unique appearance and possess a special energy.

Rugged rocks, thundering waterfalls, unique nature - this is how one of the most exciting landscapes in Austria presents itself.

Hiking experience of a special kind: the "Grand Canyon" of Austria - the Ötschergräben await you with impressive scenery and waterfalls.

Best season

January

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

More information

Way to WienerbruckWay to Wienerbruck
Ötscherbasis Wienerbruck

We start in Wienerbruck (arrival: ride with the Mariazellerbahn from St. Sebastian to Wienerbruck) and walk a short distance along the reservoir, then turn left into the gorge and come over footbridges and footpaths, past the Lassingfall, down to the power station in Stierwaschboden. There we keep to the left, cross the bridge and hike first along the Erlauf and then along the Ötscherbach stream through an enchanting landscape with numerous pools, cascades and rock formations to the Ötscherhias snack station.

From the Ötscherhias we hike on trail 622 through the almost even more magnificent back Ötschergräben past the Mirafall to the Schleierfall junction (definitely worth a detour). Take the Greimelsteig to the right up to the Vorderötscher inn and after a well-deserved rest we hike back along the Ötscher road to the Hagengut and on to the Erlaufklause stop.

Alternative: before Erlaufklause turn right and walk along the southern shore of the reservoir Erlaufklause on a shady forest promenade to Mitterbach (walking time Erlaufklause - Mitterbach: approx. 1 hour)

From Erlaufklause or Mitterbach we return to our starting point in Wienerbruck with the Mariazellerbahn.

TIP: who does not want to walk on the Ötscher road (yet very long distance on a gravel road, about 6 km), goes the same way back through the ditches to the Ötscherhias and then turns right at the Ötscherhias up to the Hagenstraße and past the Hagengut to the stop Erlaufklause.

In bad weather and rain please be careful - danger of slipping!

Emergency call mountain rescue: 140

Tip for emergency reporting - give 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?

Please note: Winter closure in the Ötschergräben from November 1 to April 30.

Sturdy shoes

Proper backpacking makes many things easier: pack heavy items 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 :-)

By train from St. Sebastian or Erlaufklause to Wienerbruck

www.mariazellerbahn.at

tourist office Hochsteiermark - Mariazellerland

main squere 13, 8630 Mariazell

T: +43 (0) 3882 2366

tourismus@hochsteiermark.at

www.hochsteiermark.at

Hiking map - available at TVB Mariazeller Land