This is the highest point of the stage: going left, the narrow slope leads up to the Ötscherschutzhaus in about 20 minutes, from where you could reach the 1,893 m high Ötscher summit (additional time from Riffelsattel back and forth approximately 3 hrs 15 min). The Luchs Trail, however, leads down on the other side of the saddle from the signpost tree at Riffelsattel (trail "Ötschergräben" no. 5). First on a path through open terrain, then through beautiful forest, you descend about 300 vertical meters quite steeply in serpentines – the forest provides pleasant shade on this south-facing slope. You now reach a forest road that leads down to the right (trail "Wienerbruck/Ötschergräben" no. 14/15). Soon you come to a larger flat forest road, which you follow left through meadows past the forester's house "Spielbichler". After about 30 minutes (2 km) on this only slightly descending forest road, a path to the right leads off towards "Wienerbruck/Ötschergräben" no. 14/15. You first hike down through meadows and then through partly quite steep forest into the gorges.
Here begin the famous Ötscher gorges: you follow the initially still quite gentle Ötscherbach creek downstream and shortly reach the Schleierfall, a beautiful waterfall. Just behind the waterfall a wooden bridge would lead right over the creek towards the "Schutzhaus Vorderötscher" – but you stay on the left side of the creek and continue following the path downstream ("Wienerbruck/Ötschergräben" no. 14/15). From here, the Ötscher gorges become clearly wilder: the excellently laid path is equipped with cable railings over longer stretches, as it runs 10 to 30 m high over the now wilder Ötscherbach on the left side. Wooden walkways are also installed in the rock to make this impressive gorge easily passable. You hike downhill for a total of 2 hrs 30 min through the Ötscher gorges, ignoring the paths branching off from the gorge – passing the "Ötscherhias," a snack station built into the rock and accessible via a bridge. This is – apart from the Ötscherschutzhaus off the route – the only place to stop on this stage. Following the "Wienerbruck" trail you eventually reach the "Stierwaschboden" demonstration power plant. Here the paths split: you cross the Erlauf river to the right (trail "Bahnhof Wienerbruck" – shortly before, the Ötscherbach flows into the Erlauf) and walk directly past the demonstration power plant (a short visit is highly recommended).
Now follows a final ascent up to Wienerbruck: behind the power plant begins a partly rock-hewn but very well passable path, which leads alongside a gorge for 130 vertical meters to a fork in the path. Here you keep right uphill towards Wienerbruck and reach a small asphalt road after 20 minutes. [NOTE: There is a donation box here from the Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park, whose proceeds go towards the maintenance of the path system. The Nature Park is very grateful for donations to ensure the continued accessibility of the Ötscher gorges.] The asphalt road leading right brings you to the destination of the Luchs Trail, the "Nature Park Center Ötscher-Basis", in 5 minutes.
Now it's time to finally put your feet up and reflect on everything once more. Or – even better – to take a look inside this worthwhile Nature Park Center, which can tell us so much about the wild nature in "Austria's Wild Heart."
Tip:It is recommended to contact the Trail Info & Booking Center before booking.
Offers at: bookyourtrail.com
Safety guidelines:You should also be well prepared for changing weather.
Packing your backpack correctly makes many things easier: Pack heavy items first. The water bottle should always be easily accessible in a side pocket. All items frequently needed such as sunglasses, smartphone, or hiking map should be packed on top.
Additional information:
Information office Lower Austria:
Mostviertel Tourismus
Töpperschloss Neubruck
Neubruck 2/10, 3270 Scheibbs
Tel.: +43 (0)7482/204 44
info@mostviertel.at
Information office Upper Austria:
Alpenland Tourismus GmbH
Bahnhofstraße 2, 4580 Windischgarsten
Information office: Reichraming
Tel.: +43 7252 53229-40
reichraming@360alpenland.com
alpenland@360.com
Information office Styria:
Tourism Association Gesäuse
Hauptstraße 35, 8911 Admont, Austria
Tel. +43 (0) 3613 21160 10
info@gesaeuse.at
www.gesaeuse.at
Opening hours all year round by appointment only
Experience the fascination of model making up close - in the old elementary school in Lackenhof you can marvel at a model railroad, the Ötscher mountain railroad, the Gr. and Kl. Ötscher and a detailed replica of the village of Lackenhof including buildings.
NEW: Erzberg, Christmas cribs and RC vehicles
Visits by appointment only!
August Etzler is looking forward to your visit!
If you want to relax, unwind and enjoy sports during your vacation, you don't have to do without your favorite leisure activities. Simply get in touch with me and hire me on an hourly basis to accompany you photographically and get great pictures that you can enjoy all year round.
Your special advantages: In me you will find a dedicated professional photographer who knows the region and, thanks to his diverse interests and training, certifications and qualifications, not only ensures good pictures. You will also learn a lot of background information while I stage you in your vacation environment, get to know the best photo spots and vantage points and can test my hiking guide skills on hikes.
Or test my qualities as a ski sports photographer on the slopes of your choice in the region between Ötscher, Maiszinken, Hochkar and Forsteralm. My experience from junior and masters ski racing, where I have been able to get very close to skiing for many years as a recognized photographer at school ski championships, WinterWorldMastersGames (Innsbruck 2020) or at Masters World Championships, is just right to be used for you.
For example: The photographic accompaniment of a hike 'On the wooden path' through the Mendlingtal in Göstling/Ybbs or through the Ötschergräben with your family in spring or fall. Or ski school lessons for your children with fun on the slopes in the afternoon. Or participation in a ski race or ski sports training. The latter can be organized by me at your request through my contacts, as can a semi-professional photo shoot in the wild and romantic natural landscape of the Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park in the Mostviertel.
Simply contact me and make an appointment!
To have time for yourself in a stressful world, to let your mind wander, switch off from everyday life and let yourself be pampered.
That's the basic idea behind Karin's feng shui hairdressing studio!
The Hubertus Huts is a rustic, wooden ski hut on the Eibenkogel (955m) in Lackenhof am Ötscher.
Energy meets history. The Niederösterreichische Landes-Elektrizitätswerk, predecessor of today's EVN, built the Wienerbruck power plant from 1907-1911, which generated the traction current for the Mariazell Railway and thus for one of the first electrified railroads in Austria-Hungary.
The power station is still in operation. It has been open to visitors since the Lower Austrian Provincial Exhibition in 2015. The power station can only be reached on foot from the Ötscher-Basis Nature Park Center in Wienerbruck in around 45 minutes.
Tip:
Combine a visit to the Wienerbruck power plant with a hike through the Ötschergräben and the Ötscher-Tormäuer, or with a visit to the Ötscher-Basis Nature Park Center and the Vorderötscher refuge.
The Ötscher village of Lackenhof lies at 810 m above sea level in a side valley right at the foot of the Ötscher and is part of the "Hiking Village Gaming". It offers wonderful conditions for a vacation in the heart of nature all year round. In SUMMER, Lackenhof is the ideal place for connoisseurs and explorers. Well-marked hiking trails and mountain bike routes of all levels of difficulty lead around the Ötscher village.
In WINTER, the attractive ski area on the Ötscher offers everything families could wish for. From the Sunny Kids Park with magic carpet to black pistes. Ski schools and ski rental are available to our guests directly in Lackenhof. Away from the slopes, winter sports enthusiasts can look forward to 33 km of perfectly groomed cross-country ski trails, 12 km of winter hiking trails and 3 permanently signposted snowshoe hiking trails.
Famous waterfall in the Ötschergräben: Hikers can reach the 90-metre-high Lassingfall from Wienerbruck in around 45 minutes via a narrow but well-maintained path. A viewpoint along the way provides a particularly beautiful view of the waterfall.
The Lassingfall is located directly on the hiking route between Wienerbruck and Ötscherhias, which is also the most famous section of the Ötschergräben.
The Lassingfall and Lassingbach are particularly impressive in spring and after heavy rainfall.
ATTENTION: Please do not access via the Kienbachfall (indicated in Google Maps) - there is an extreme danger of falling!
The address for your navigation system for the nearest parking lot is: Ötscher-Basis, Langseitenrotte 140, 3223 Wienerbruck
The hiking trail also leaves from there!
Tour tips around the Lassingfall:
On all four tours, the Mariazell Railway can be used as a convenient means of transportation back to the starting point.
Further information and tour tips for the Ötschergräben can be found at www.mostviertel.at/oetschergraeben!
The Teichwies'n Alm offers fresh food and regional delicacies. You can also visit our alpine store with lots of gift ideas and souvenirs.
The largest nature park in Lower Austria is also the most impressive for many. This is partly due to the wealth of adventures that await in the impressive landscape, and partly due to the tranquil, unspoilt nature around the Ötscher mountain - with its inimitable interplay of gentle alpine pastures, deep gorges, waterfalls and caves. Adventure stations at the nature park entrances add informative and playful aspects to hiking.
The Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park is accessible to the public via the Mariazell Railway. The seven nature park stations are: Winterbach, Puchenstuben, Gösing, Reith, Wienerbruck, Erlaufklause and Mitterbach.
Hiking cabs run between Mariazell - Erlaufsee - Lackenhof.
There is a large parking lot directly at the Ötscher base in Wienerbruck. The parking lot is the ideal starting point for your hike into the Ötschergräben.
The Mariazell Railway also has a stop in the immediate vicinity (Wienerbruck station) and will take you back to Wienerbruck after your hike. Alternatively, you can of course start the day with a scenic train ride that will take you comfortably to your tour starting point.
The parking lot is subject to charges (coins only). The current prices can be found at www.naturpark-oetscher.at/anreise-und-eintritt.
Hiking tours from Wienerbruck:
Hiking tours to Wienerbruck:
(the journey from Wienerbruck to the starting point of the tour is by Mariazell cable car)
Tip: The Seegasthaus Ötscher-Basis invites you to stop off right at the parking lot!
Opening hours all year round by appointment
Every Thursday in the former Lackenhof elementary school, master carpenter Karl Teufel presents many tools from the carpentry and joinery trades, which were also used by the lumberjacks of the time. Various demonstrations show how these tools are still used productively today. The history of how the tools were made is also documented on various images.
In addition, the Ötscher bear and numerous other taxidermied native animals provide educational information from the world of fauna.
A special exhibition on "The cow as a draught animal" has been added to the museum "Old crafts - lived anew", which has now been in existence for 3 years.
A cow with an attached manure sledge in original size, many A3 pictures with cows and other carriages and their corresponding explanations have been presented with guided tours since November 2017.
The private museum has also been part of the Lower Austrian Iron Road Museums since 2019.
The Teichwiese toboggan run is centrally located in Lackenhof am Ötscher, just after the entrance to the village next to the Teichwies'n Alm. Thanks to its central location, it is particularly easy to reach and a popular meeting point for winter family fun.
The cross-country skiing equipment prepares a meadow here, which offers ideal conditions for safe and fun toboggan runs thanks to its basin location. At the same time, there is plenty of space to play, run around and trample the snow.
Use of the tobogganing meadow is free of charge and toilet facilities are located in the immediate vicinity. Plate and Zipfelbobs as well as toboggans can be hired directly on site at Sport 2000 and Intersport Ötscher in Lackenhof.
If there is enough snow, the toboggan run is open from December to the end of March and ensures carefree winter fun in the middle of the village. ❄️��
Beautiful waterfall, whose fine waterway is partly reminiscent of a veil. It is located in the rear Ötschergräben, on the path between the Vorderötscher shelter and the Ötscherhias snack station.
Tour tips around the Schleierfall in the Ötschergräben:
Further information and tour tips for the Ötschergräben can be found at www.mostviertel.at/oetschergraeben!
The Teichwiesn Alm is located in the center of Lackenhof and is a popular refreshment stop for skiers and hikers alike. The heart of the Teichwies'n Alm is the Alm Café. The innkeepers serve hearty regional delicacies in a rustic and cozy atmosphere. You can also buy all your daily groceries in the adjoining grocery store.
The Almrausch is the meeting point in the center of Lackenhof and is located in the Teichwiesn' Alm.
Impressive waterfall in the middle of the famous Ötschergräben. A popular destination for hikers.
Tour tips around the Mirafall:
Further information and tour tips for the Ötschergräben can be found at www.mostviertel.at/oetschergraeben!
Please get in touch for more information.
Vis-à-vis users
1. The tours presented for hiking, walking, biking and road biking, mountain biking, motorbiking, horseback riding, climbing, cross-country skiing, and going on skiing and snowshoe tours etc. are to be considered non-paid tour recommendations and only serve as non-binding information. We have no intention of concluding a contract with the users of this website. The utilisation of the data does not lead to the establishment of a contract with us.
The data may only be used for private use; any commercial use is prohibited. In particular, it is not permissible to offer the data on commercially run websites, file-sharing platforms etc. or to use it to develop commercial products. Downloading data does not imply that users are granted rights to the data concerned.
The tour recommendations posted were created with utmost care; nevertheless, we assume no liability for the correctness and completeness of the information.
We point out that neither the tour recommendations included on this website nor the associated data and information were posted by us, but rather by third parties (Art. 16 Austrian E-Commerce Act). We have no influence on whether the details provided (e.g. distance, level of difficulty, change in altitude, description etc.) are authentic, correct and complete. We do not review these third-party contents. For this reason, we assume no liability for the authenticity, correctness and completeness of the information.
Construction-related measures or other influences (e.g. landslides and similar occurrences) can lead to temporary or permanent changes in a route (e.g. loss of a bridge and similar occurrences). Such occurrences can lead to part of the route or the entire route becoming impassable.
The use of the data as well as undertaking (riding, walking, taking etc.) the recommended tours or using the network of paths occurs at users’ own risk and on their authority. In particular, users themselves are responsible for the choice of route, outdoor orientation, adherence to traffic rules, supplies and equipment for tours listed in Point 1 (e.g. bicycle etc.), wearing a helmet, estimating their own fitness, recognising dangers and maintaining an appropriate velocity. We exclude ourselves from any liability whatsoever for damages, in particular accidents, that occur whilst taking part in the recommended tours.
2.Some of the tours lead over roads with normal traffic conditions. Please observe that there is an increased risk which can be avoided by means of appropriate attention and proper estimation and implementation of one’s own abilities. For this reason, please travel a route that is unfamiliar to you slowly and with special care. Pay constant attention to potential dangers and always observe traffic. Do not leave the routes featured in descriptions.
The potential use of private roads, in particular forestry roads and agricultural transport roads, can be subject to legal restrictions, which must be observed and adhered to.
The normal traffic rules apply. Each user (e.g. biker, motorbiker) is responsible for adhering to these rules and maintaining his/her bike/vehicle and its equipment (lights, brakes etc.) in good working order. Each user is also responsible for ensuring that he/she rides at a velocity that is appropriate for the conditions and his/her skill level and for maintaining sufficient distance to the rider in front. We explicitly recommend adjusting velocity to correspond to the respective field of vision, wearing a helmet, using reflective clothing (or similar) and employing bicycle lights in line with regulations.
3.Each tour requires good physical fitness as well as detailed planning. We explicitly recommend only taking the tours in the case of optimal healthiness.
We recommend that you conclude an accident and liability insurance policy. Use an onboard computer that displays the respective kilometres travelled per day and is calibrated for the front wheel.
4.Special for mountain bikers – Fair-play rules:
Mountain biking is one of the most wonderful outdoor leisure-time activities. Whilst biking or on a mountain biking tour, mountains and lakes, meadows and cabins are re-discovered in new ways. A couple of rules for fair play in the forest help to avoid conflicts whilst mountain biking.
a.Pedestrians have the right of way: We are accommodating and friendly to pedestrians and hikers. Upon encountering these fellow travellers, we alert them by using the bicycle bell and slowly overtake them. We avoid paths with heavy pedestrian traffic altogether. Take nature into account: We do not leave refuse behind.
b.The braking distance should be half of the total distance visible: We ride at a controlled pace, are ready to brake and maintain a braking distance half as long as the total distance visible, especially in curves, because we always have to count on obstacles on the path. Damage to the path, stones, branches, wood piles, grazing livestock, cattle grids, barriers, tractor-type forestry machines and authorised vehicles pose dangers that we need to be ready for.
c.Don’t drink and drive!: Do not drink alcohol when mountain biking. Take care at stop-off points (dealing with bike racks, dirty shoes or clothing).
It is obligatory to provide first aid!
d.Marked routes, closed paths and blockades: Keep to the marked routes, observe the blockades and accept that these roads are primarily for agricultural and forestry use!
Blockades can often not be avoided and are in your own interest. Biking beyond the intended path and outside of opening times is punishable and turns us into illegal bikers.
e.We are guests in the forest and behave accordingly, including vis-à-vis forestry and hunting staff. Whilst mountain biking, mobile telephones and music players are forbidden! Biking requires your full attention.
f.Avoid unnecessary noise. Out of consideration to the animals living in the wild, we only bike during full daylight. As a principle, we always wear our helmet (even when riding uphill)! Don’t forget emergency supplies: We always have a repair set and bandages along.
g.Don’t overestimate your skills: We should not overdo it when it comes to biking technique and physical fitness. Take the level of difficulty posed by the route into consideration and make a precise estimate of your experience and skills as a biker (braking, bell, lights)!
h.Close gates: We approach grazing livestock at a walking pace and close every gate behind us. We should avoid causing escape and panic reactions in the animals. Nothing stands in the way of the fun and athletic challenge in the mountains and forests!
i.Traffic rules: The general traffic rules (StVO) apply for all the mountain biking routes and we adhere to them. Our bike therefore needs to be in perfect technical condition and equipped in line with the traffic rules, including brakes, a bell and lights. We inspect and service our mountain bikes regularly anyway.
5.We assume no liability for the contents of external websites; in particular, we assume no liability for their statements and contents. Moreover, we have no influence on the design or contents of the websites to which hyperlinks on www.bergethermestadt.at lead or from which hyperlinks lead to www.bergethermestadt.at. There is no on-going review of websites to which hyperlinks on www.bergethermestadt.at lead or from which hyperlinks lead to www.bergethermestadt.at. We do not appropriate the contents of websites to which hyperlinks on www.bergethermestadt.at lead or from which hyperlinks lead to www.bergethermestadt.at.
Vis-à-vis bloggers
PLEASE OBSERVE:
1. Each of your tour recommendations for hiking, walking, biking and road biking, mountain biking, motorbiking, horseback riding, climbing, cross-country skiing, and going on skiing and snowshoe tours etc., along with other details and information, is free of charge. In particular regarding the correctness of the information, we assume no liability, nor do we assume any liability whatsoever for the consequences of the use of your tour recommendation by a third party (in particular by a user of this website). We do not review the tour recommendations you post, including other details and information, at any time.
We have no intention of concluding a contract with persons who post tour recommendations and/or other details and information on this website. Posting data (information) does not imply that a contract has been concluded.
By recommending a tour, we assume special responsibility vis-à-vis other athletes. Please take this responsibility seriously and describe your tour recommendation with utmost care and to the best of your knowledge and belief.
2.Your tour recommendations must therefore clearly and unambiguously include at least the following criteria and provide a sufficiently detailed description:
• Starting point
• Detailed route description
• Distance/Overall distance
• Level of difficulty
• Dangerous spots
• Average duration of trip
• Change in altitude
• Finishing point.
If possible, please provide the change in altitude.
3.When you post a tour recommendation, you give us the order to save your tour recommendation and/or the details you provide on our website and to make it/them accessible to third parties, in particular to users of this website, in the long term. We reserve the right to block or delete tour recommendations and/or other details and/or information that you post, either partially or entirely, at any time without providing a justification. Should this occur, it grants you no rights whatsoever.
Thank you for your efforts!
4. We are not responsible for the contents of external websites; in particular, we do not assume any liability for their statements or contents. Furthermore, we do not influence the design or contents of websites that can be accessed from www.bergethermestadt.at via hyperlinks or that use hyperlinks to refer to www.bergethermestadt.at. The websites that can be accessed from www.bergethermestadt.at via hyperlinks or that use hyperlinks to refer to www.bergethermestadt.at are not regularly monitored. Furthermore, we do not assume any claims to the websites that can be accessed from www.bergethermestadt.at via hyperlinks or that use hyperlinks to refer to www.bergethermestadt.at.