Wienerbruck - Ötschergräben - Jägerherz - Rauher Kamm - Ötscher - Riffelsattel - Erlaufklause

Difficult hike; sure footing and a head for heights are required. Can be uncomfortably slippery in wet conditions. Should only be attempted in good weather.

Please check in advance for any trail or road closures in the Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park. You can find this information at www.naturpark-oetscher.at/aktuelles-top-informiert-im-naturpark

sturdy hiking boots, rain gear, provisions, possibly hiking poles, first aid kit, cell phone

Starting in Wienerbruck, the trail leads through the Lassingschlucht Gorge to the Power station Stierwaschboden. From here, you hike through the Ötschergräben, past the Ötscherhias snack bar, and on to the Moisengraben. Turn off here and follow the hiking trail or forest road toward Jägerherz. The trail runs along the south side of the Ötscher, past Geldloch and Taubenloch, up to the northeast ridge. Continue through mountain pine groves to the start of the Rauhen Kamm (1,533 m), then ascend along narrow ledges and rugged rock steps to the secondary summit of the Ötscher. Afterward, enjoy a pleasant hike across the summit plateau to the Ötscher summit. Then descend to the Ötscher mountain hut (approx. 1.5 hours), where you can stop for refreshments. The trail continues to the Riffelsattel and from there back toward the Ötschergräben. The tour passes through a beech forest and rejoins the gorge. Passing the impressive Schleierfall, you hike through the entire Hintere Ötschergräben. Shortly before the Ötscherhias, the Mirafall is located on the left side. At the Ötscherhias, you leave the gorge and head uphill on a short but very steep climb toward the Erlaufklause. From here, the Mariazellerbahn provides a comfortable ride back to Wienerbruck. Alternatively, you can hike the entire length of the Ötschergräben back to the starting point.

Paid parking is available at the Ötscher base—€6 per day. The revenue from parking fees goes toward the maintenance of the nature park.

Coming from Linz: A1 highway; take the Ybbs exit; follow signs for Wieselburg and Scheibbs (about 1.5 hours from Linz)

Coming from Vienna: A1 highway; take the St. Pölten exit and drive through the Pielach Valley (about 1.5 hours from Vienna)

From Styria (coming from Graz): Take the S35 toward Leoben to the Bruck/Mur interchange, then take the B116 to Kapfenberg, and follow the B20 toward Mariazell

The Mariazellerbahn from St. Pölten or Mariazell to Wienerbruck-Josefsberg.