Flötzersteig (Rafters' Trail)

Railway Station Hinterstoder – Central Village
Central Village - Schiederweiher - Dietlgut - Baumschlagerreith - Steyrursprung
Walking time: approx. 3 hours
Level of difficulty: Blue
Refreshment stops: Gasthaus Steyrbrücke, Flötzerstub´n, Polsterstüberl, Catering trade in Hinterstoder, Gasthaus Baumschlagerreith

© Schachner
Almost continuously fortified path signposted with the name “Flötzersteig” (rafters´ trail) which leads mostly along the river Steyr. At several interesting spots there are additional information boards. From the railway station at Hinterstoder you follow the signposts for the long distance hiking trail 09, cross over the main road B 138 and walk through fields to the banks of the Steyr. (From the Gasthof Steyrbrücke marked entry point at the right-hand bank of the Steyr). Then a gradual climb up a narrow path until the Sperrhäusl (until 1948 there were barriers to catch the wood, on the big stone in the middle of the river you can still see the fixation point). Continue over the river bed, up some steps to the road, past the Pechhäusl (former pitch burners'), follow the shady road (again and again imposing views of the eastern drops of the Kleiner Priel Mountain) to the Stoder Valley main road. There turn right over the Schrattentaler Bridge. Then continue sharp along the fortified road along the Steyr to the fork in the road.

Flötzersteig (continuation A)
Either left, field path (path no. 45) along the Steyr via Stampflsteg to Gausrab, a little way along the pavement, along the Stoder Valley main road to the Sagmeister bridge, from there right up the access road following the signs to the Gütler (farmhouse);
Or right a short way uphill on a narrow tar-road. Follow the markings past the Karl farmhouse, Schnablgut (cider bar) to the Gütler, where both routes meet. From the Gütler along a forest road to the Strumboding waterfall. (On the right-hand side of the gorge the raftsmen's climbing tracks are still visible). Further on into the valley, climbing gently, past the turn-off to the Kreideluke (chalk cave) to the tar-road. Then you carry on along the road past the Pension Prielkreuz, an old mill. Continue along a gravel path to the fork, either go left across the river Steyr along a shady path or straight ahead on the sunny side to the village centre of Hinterstoder. (Replicas from the time of the raftsmen). The two paths meet again at the bridge, where the youth hotel Jutel is situated. Then along the pavement past the Gollner Pastry & Coffee Shop into the village centre to the Alpineum.

Flötzersteig (continuation B)
Back to the river Steyr, over the bridge, then left along the edge of meadows, further on along a gravel road to the Villa Huem. You have two possibilities from there: either over the trail bridge, passed the sports ground, over another trail bridge and along the meadow (gentle route) or a short way uphill to the benches inviting you to rest and further downhill to the edge of the forest, where both paths meet. Carry on past an old tennis court to the Polsterlucken road, cross over and follow the path to the Schiederweiher pond. After the pond carry on along the forest road either through Klinserau (approx. 10 mins. walk on - refreshment stop at the Polsterluckenwirt) or through the Polsterlucke (refreshment stop at the Polsterstüberl). On the no. 209 path, past fences to the Nickergut, through the farmyard, then past some houses and meadows gently climbing up again into the forest. Shortly before the Dietlgut, the Dietl capel is situated on the right-hand side..From the Dietlgut straight ahead along the Steyr path nr 209 to a small bridge on the left, from here carry on along the 209a path towards the end of the valley.
Eventually you cross over the Steyr again and come to the Baumschlagerreith access road. Then on to the Baumschlagerreith Inn. Follow a forest road for approx. 15 minutes to get to the Steyr spring. The river Steyr originates from 7 springs.