News - Top informed in the Nature Park

Please read the following information (trail closures, opening hours etc.) before your visit to the Nature Park!

Dear Hikers, dear guests,

Welcome to the Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park.
We look forward to your visit!

The cold season has arrived, bringing with it a few changes to the Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park. 

The Ötscher-Basis Nature Park Center is also happy to assist you in winter—we are available by phone from Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 02728/ 21 100. You are also welcome to send us an email at info@naturpark-oetscher.at.

Road closures and road blocks

• From November 2, 2025, until the end of April 2026, the annual winter closure will be in effect in the Ötschergräben and Hinteren Tormäuren! There are plenty of other hiking opportunities in the nature park during the winter months. More information can be found here.
• The hiking trail and mountain bike route from Bärenlacke to Trübenbach is closed until further notice due to major road damage. This affects the nature park route (24) and the Ötscher trekking route (28).
• Hiking trail Vordere Tormäuer – Trübenbach: The hiking trail is CLOSED until further notice due to forestry work/road construction. Alternative hike: The closed section of the trail can be bypassed (1 km) via the Sommererbrücke bridge/Teufelskirche church/Teufelskirche suspension bridge.
• The closure of the “cycle path” from Langau/Maierhöfen to Lackenhof has been lifted, but the path is difficult for cyclists to use in some places due to the repair work that has been carried out! Compaction work will be carried out shortly. This affects hiking trail no. 3 (culvert) as well as the Upper Austrian Mariazellerweg and the MTB routes “Lunzer Strecke” & “E-Bike-Tour Schindlhütte.” The “Kartäuserpfad” to Gaming is not affected by this closure.

Information about the Mariazell Railway

Up-to-date information on the Mariazell Railway timetable can be found here!

Opening hours

Opening hours Ötscher Base

During winter season, the team at the Ötscher-Basis Nature Park Center will be available MO-TU from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. by phone at
02728/ 21 100 and by email at info@naturpark-oetscher.at.

Opening hours regional kitchen

May & June: Friday - Sunday & public holidays from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm;
July & August: Thursday to Monday & public holidays from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm; September & October: Friday to Sunday & public holidays from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm. Open outside our regular opening hours for events on request. For groups of 10 people or more, reservations must be made in advance.

Event inquiries at basis@naturpark-oetscher.at

Or by telephone on +43 677 64 46 38 65