St. Pankraz
St. Pankraz - Between valley floor and summit view.
Nature that leaves space.
St. Pankraz is located where the Stodertal valley begins and the mountains draw closer step by step - a quiet place in 360° Alpine country that makes you feel the vastness. Between meadows, forests and clear streams, a living space unfolds that naturally combines nature and everyday life. No noisy centre, no hustle and bustle. Just space to arrive.
At Elisabethsee, the water glistens in the morning sun. Footpaths lead along the shore, while the mountains between Pyhrn and Priel rise up behind. When you are out and about here, you can feel the power of the landscape - gentle in the valley, striking in the heights. Hikes start right in the village and continue towards Stodertal, to alpine pastures, viewpoints and the protected forests around the Kalkalpen National Park. Paths that lead further.
Culturally, St. Pankraz also tells of grown structures and living tradition. The parish church characterises the townscape, while farmsteads and crafts give the village its original character. Here you will meet people who carry their region with calm and down-to-earthness - in conversation on the village square as well as on the mountain pasture.
And yet everything is close by: St. Pankraz is just a few minutes away from Hinterstoder, the Schiederweiher pond and the peaks that characterise the 360° Alpenland panorama. Between the mountains and the river valley, between exercise and relaxation, you can enjoy a holiday without either-or. Cycle paths along the Steyr combine nature experiences with short cultural detours to the town of Steyr or to Kirchdorf an der Krems.
St. Pankraz is not a place of big words. But one of clear images: cool forest. Sunny slope. Quiet paths. A place where nature and man come together - and the vastness in the heart of Upper Austria becomes tangible.
Facts & Figures
History of the municipality of St. Pankraz
Between Elisabethsee and the mountains.
St. Pankraz in the south of 360° Alpenland tells the story of an ancient Alpine route. Even in Celtic-Roman times, an important trade route led here over the Pyhrn towards the Adriatic; traces of settlements point to early utilisation of the valley area. The original place name "Gschwendt" is reminiscent of clearings and farming beginnings in a landscape between river and mountain.
In the Middle Ages, St. Pankraz was part of ecclesiastical manors. Various monasteries - including Kremsmünster, Bamberg, Gleink and finally the hospice in Spital am Pyhrn - characterised the ownership and living conditions for centuries. The feudal order, with its compulsory levies and robots, remained in place until the liberation of the peasants in 1848.
The history of the church goes back a long way: there is evidence of a chapel as early as the 13th century and the current late Gothic church building was consecrated in 1462. St Pancras became the patron saint of the village - and is still present in the municipal coat of arms today.
Turbulent times have also left their mark. During the Napoleonic Wars, the region was occupied by troops on several occasions. Since 1918, St. Pankraz has belonged to the province of Upper Austria. After the "Anschluss" in 1938, the municipality was assigned to the NS-Gau Oberdonau; in 1945, it returned to the Upper Austrian province. In the final phase of the Second World War, death marches passed through the municipality - a dark chapter that is now part of the culture of remembrance.
Until 2012, St. Pankraz was assigned to the judicial district of Windischgarsten, since then the municipality has belonged to the judicial district of Kirchdorf an der Krems.
Today, St. Pankraz is the smallest municipality in 360° Alpenland and is often referred to as the "gateway to Stodertal". Between an old trade route, rural tradition and modern commuter community, this is a place that knows its roots - and at the same time remains open to new paths. A history that has grown out of nature, faith and community.
Things to know about the village of St. Pankraz in 360° Alpenland
St. Pankraz is located in the south of 360° Alpenland in Upper Austria, at the entrance to the Stodertal valley near Hinterstoder. The village connects the valley floor and the mountains and is an ideal starting point for hikes, bike tours and nature experiences between Pyhrn and Priel.
Many hiking trails start directly in the village or in the immediate vicinity. The spectrum ranges from leisurely walks around the Elisabethsee lake to alpine tours towards Hinterstoder. Step by step, the path leads from the valley up into the mountain world of the southern Alps.
Yes, the Elisabethsee lake, gentle cycle paths in the valley and easily accessible excursion destinations make the village family-friendly. Many paths are easy to follow and combine the experience of nature with safety and orientation.
The valley around the Steyr offers ideal conditions for relaxed cycling tours. If you want to be more sporty, combine bike and mountain - Bike & Hike in the direction of Stodertal or in the high altitudes between Pyhrn and Priel.
Only a few kilometres separate the village from the valleys surrounding the Kalkalpen National Park. Here you can experience nature in its original form - with forests, gorges and the UNESCO World Heritage Old Beech Forests.
The Elisabethsee is a peaceful natural spot in the village - ideal for walks, quiet moments or a short break by the water. Especially in the morning, the atmosphere here reflects the lifestyle of the Alpine region.
Yes, the proximity to the ski areas in Hinterstoder and on the Wurzeralm makes winter holidays with short distances possible. At the same time, the village itself remains quiet and manageable.
From family-run inns to holiday flats, the village offers authentic accommodation. The hosts here live to the rhythm of the region - personal and down-to-earth.
It's the interplay: village structure and proximity to the mountains. Water and forest. Movement and tranquillity. Here you can feel what characterises 360° Alpenland - a living space where nature and people come together.