Details for: Gösing train station - Hintere Tormäuer - Ötschergräben - Ötscherhias - Mitterbach
Brief description
A scenic hike through the gorges of the nature park along the crystal-clear waters of the Erlauf and Ötscherbach!
Description
The tour starts at Gösing railroad station. The trail begins directly below the Alpenhotel Gösing (temporarily closed) and leads through an enchanted forest to Erlaufboden. This is where the imposing Hintere Tormäuer begin - a gorge formed by the turquoise-blue Erlauf. Always along the river, the lovingly laid out trail leads over bridges and footbridges to the Power station Stierwaschboden. A detour to the show power station is well worthwhile here! After the power station, the Ötschergräben begin. It's not too far to the Ötscherhias snack station on paths once made by lumberjacks. After a short uphill section, past an old mill, you reach the Erlauf reservoir. Tired hikers can take the train back to Gösing from the Erlaufklause. However, if you still have some energy left, you should definitely hike along the fjord-like Erlauf reservoir to Mitterbach. The historic Mariazell Railway then takes you back to Gösing.
Starting point of the tour
Gösing train station
Destination point of the tour
Mitterbach train station
Route description Gösing train station - Hintere Tormäuer - Ötschergräben - Ötscherhias - Mitterbach
Directly below the Alpenhotel Gösing (temporarily closed) follow the path downhill towards Erlaufboden. In the valley, continue a bit along the asphalt road to the Erlaufboden nature park entrance (approx. 1 hour). The path continues along the Erlauf towards the Wienerbruck/Stierwaschboden power plant (approx. 1 hour). Do not take the path over the bridge to the power plant but continue straight into the Ötschergräben towards Ötscherhias. After an hour, cross the wooden bridge to the Ötscherhias snack station and immediately uphill behind it to Hagengut and the Erlauf reservoir lake (45 minutes). At the following junction keep left towards Erlaufklause or right to hike along the Erlauf reservoir lake to Mitterbach (1 hour).
Directions
Coming from Linz: Motorway A1; exit Ybbs; towards Wieselburg and Scheibbs (approx. 1.5 hours from Linz)
Coming from Vienna: Motorway A1; exit St. Pölten through the Pielach valley (approx. 1.5 hours from Vienna)
From Styria: Coming from Graz: S35 towards Leoben to Bruck/Mur junction, B116 to Kapfenberg, B20 towards Mariazell
Parking
Parking available at Gösing train station
Mariazell Railway from St. Pölten or from Mariazell to Gösing.
Return trip to the starting point again by the Mariazell Railway.
Author's tip
The Wienerbruck power plant at Stierwaschboden is open to visitors. Visit the impressive turbine hall or book a guided hike including a power plant tour at 02728/ 21 100 or www.naturpark-oetscher.at
