Roßleithen - the horse-friendly community in 360° Alpenland
Between the Sengsengebirge and Warscheneck: nature that moves Riding holidays, alpine trails and mountain moments in Upper Austria
When you arrive in Roßleithen, you immediately feel the vastness. Meadows open up the view to the peaks of the Sengsengebirge and Warscheneck mountains, streams flow quietly through the valley, and above it all lies this feeling of freedom. Here, in the south of 360° Alpenland, horses are a natural part of the local landscape - not as an attraction, but as part of everyday life.
Roßleithen is considered one of the most horse-friendly communities in Austria. Riding stables, well-maintained stables and marked bridleways combine with a landscape that is perfect for rides at a walk, trot or canter. From leisurely pony rides for children to guided trail rides through the mountains between Pyhrn and Priel - you'll find your rhythm here.
Riding with a view
Gentle alpine paths lead through flowering meadows, shady forest trails up to vantage points where the mountains open up like a stage. The trails are well integrated into the existing network of hiking and nature trails - with consideration for people, animals and the landscape.
Many establishments offer riding lessons, western and English riding or therapeutic riding. If you like, you can discover the region in winter on a horse-drawn sleigh ride, when the snow muffles the sounds and only the crunching under the hooves remains.
National park nature reserve & alpine history
Roßleithen lies at the gateway to the Kalkalpen National Park. Ancient forests, clear springs and vast alpine pastures characterise the surroundings. Anyone travelling here can combine a horse riding excursion with a hike or continue towards the Hengstpass, into the mountain world between Pyhrn and Priel.
At the same time, the village is deeply rooted in regional culture. Agriculture, crafts and customs are alive and well - and can be felt at festivals, on the farms and in conversations at the garden fence. The result is a holiday that combines an experience of nature and living tradition.
Close to everything that makes up the 360° Alpenland
From Roßleithen it is only a short distance to other adventure areas:
to the striking peaks in the south, to the forest wilderness of the Kalkalpen National Park, to the historic town of Steyr or to the green expanse around Bad Hall with its spa and wellness offers.
This makes your stay flexible and multi-faceted - a riding holiday that can be combined with a mountain tour, a visit to the thermal baths or a stroll through the town without having to cover long distances.
Roßleithen is not a noisy place. It is a place for people who want to consciously experience nature - in the saddle, on foot or simply in silence between mountain and valley.
Facts & Figures
History of the municipality of Roßleithen
From salt to spa town
Roßleithen is located in the Garstnertal valley in the south of Upper Austria, nestled between the Sengsengebirge and Warscheneckstock mountains at around 588 metres above sea level. The municipal area covers around 67.5 km² and is still heavily characterised by forest and agriculture; almost 1,900 people live here in the villages of Roßleithen, Pichl, Pießling, Rading, Mayrwinkl and Schweizersberg.
Historically, the area was part of the Duchy of Bavaria before it became part of the Duchy of Austria in the 12th century and was later assigned to "Austria ob der Enns", the forerunner of today's Upper Austria. Its location on the old transport route over the Pyhrn Pass made the valley an early transit area for trade and travellers.
Economically, life was characterised for centuries by small farming structures, alpine pasture farming and forest use. Roßleithen gained particular importance through iron processing: numerous scythe forges were established along the Pießling, which had a lasting impact on the village. The Schröckenfux scythe factory is still a reminder of this period of industrial prosperity and the craftsmanship of the region. The scythe even found its way into the municipal coat of arms, which was officially awarded together with the rearing horse in 1980.
Roßleithen was given its current political structure in 1849 as part of the Austrian municipal reform by merging the cadastral municipalities of Pichl, Rading and Roßleithen www2.land-obero...eich.gv.at. In the 19th and 20th centuries, modernisation and infrastructure projects had a lasting effect on the townscape. The expansion of the water supply and sewerage system in the second half of the 20th century marked important communal milestones.
Natural jewels such as the Pießling spring and the Gleinkersee lake as well as a dense network of hiking and riding trails characterise the profile of the village today. Roßleithen is particularly well known as one of the most horse-friendly communities in Austria - an identity that has grown out of the long agricultural tradition and the deliberate focus on tourism in recent decades.
Roßleithen thus combines past and present: rural roots, artisan heritage and a cautious opening towards nature and active tourism in the heart of Upper Austria.
Interesting facts about the municipality of Roßleithen in 360° Alpenland
In Roßleithen in the south of the 360° Alpenland, horses are a natural part of the local landscape. Riding stables, well-kept stables and a network of bridleways lead through meadows, forests and up towards the Sengsengebirge mountains. Here, riding holidays in Upper Austria are not staged, but lived - down-to-earth, informal and close to nature.
Roßleithen is located in the district of Kirchdorf an der Krems, nestled between the Warscheneck and Sengsengebirge mountains. The municipality combines the mountain world between Pyhrn and Priel with the vastness around the Kalkalpen National Park - an ideal starting point for nature holidays in the heart of Upper Austria.
Roßleithen offers a wide variety of hiking trails, from leisurely valley tours to tours towards Dümlerhütte or Warscheneck. The route to the Pießling spring - one of the strongest karst springs in Austria - is particularly popular. Hiking in 360° Alpenland here means clear air, wide views and quiet forest paths.
The Pießling spring is an impressive karst spring at the foot of the Warscheneck. Crystal-clear water emerges from the rock - fed from within the Alps. A short walk takes you to this natural monument in the Kalkalpen National Park.
Craftsmanship and history. Iron and lifeblood. The history of scythe smiths still characterises Roßleithen today. The traditional craft of scythe making is part of the intangible cultural heritage. A themed trail commemorates this time, when iron from the region was known far beyond Upper Austria.