Holiday Region Pyhrn-Priel
For nature lovers and mountain freaks – Theme Hikes

The holiday region Pyhrn-Pries offers three newly designed theme hiking trails and circular hiking worlds.

Circular Hiking World Hinterstoder WurzerNatureExperienceWorld Spital am Pyhrn Scythe Theme Trails Roßleithen

Circular Hiking World Hinterstoder

The Stoder Valley makes for an ideal hiking paradise with its wide and sunny basin, its lush meadows, forested slopes and rugged mountain peaks. 13 new circular hiking trails as well as the „Flötzer“ theme trail extend the existing hiking offers and truly round things off – in the Circular Hiking World Hinterstoder.

The vast variety of paths, short and long routes on all levels of altitudes and difficulty result in a network of hiking trails with a total length of more than 100 km. Whether you choose the easy village promenade in the valley, the extensive Stoder Valley Panorama Route on average altitude or the Höss Alpine Path in rocky territory – you will find new and interesting perspectives of the charming landscapes in the entire Pyhrn-Priel holiday region. Spectacular viewing platforms with great circular views, an optimised and easy to follow signpost system and rustic mountain and alpine huts and restaurants offering local delicacies round off the sensational offer designed to spoil yourself to a well earned rest! The Info centre in front of the Alpineum, the hinterstoder.lounge in the municipal building or the seven info points spread along the Stoder Valley keep you well informed on all there is to know about the circular hiking world in Hinterstoder - starting points, lengths of trails, difference in heights and walking times as well as details on recommended clothing and equipment, rest and refreshment stops or condition and character of the various trails (e.g. pram or wheelchair friendly, etc) are part of the displayed information.

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Kneipp-Promenade
Walking Time:	3/4 Hour
Length:	2 km
Refreshment Stops:	Sportbuffet, Gasthof Edelweiss, Pizzeria Mamamia, Café Annemarie, Gasthof zur Post, Dorfstub’n, Café Gollner, Landgasthof Schmalzerhof
Starting from the village fountain the path leads along the village road through the centre of the village to the big cable car parking area. Turn left towards the leisure centre and walk along the gravel path behind the tennis courts towards the river Steyr, where the Kneipp area is situated on the opposite bank and easily reached by walking along the river for a short while before crossing over on a wooden bridge. The Kneipp area is freely accessible and easy to use. According to the philosophies of priest Kneipp you can follow the exercises and the use of cold water to enhance your health. Many benches invite you to relax and enjoy quiet moments. Continue along the gravel path following the river upstream to the „Wildmeister“ bridge back to your starting point.

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Öttl Circular Trail
Walking Time:	2 ¼ Hours
Length:	5,7 km
Refreshment Stops:	Sportbuffet, Gasthof Edelweiss, Pizzeria Mamamia, Café Annemarie, Gasthof zur Post, Dorfstub’n, Café Gollner, Landgasthof Schmalzerhof
On the sunny side of the valley, close to the beginning of the Hametner path and only a few walking minutes from the centre of the village you will find a gravel road leading into the side valley of the Steger stream. A brief steep climb gets you to a wood glade after which you turn left towards the sunny slopes of the Öttl mountain. Follow the markings along romantic forest and meadow paths with a slight climb until you reach the Öttl farm. From there a gravel road leads down into the valley, crossing a few ditches and streams on the way leading westwards through a pine forest ending between the Schiederweiher pond and the Johannishof farm, merging with the Polsterlucken Circular Trail. From there follow the Flötzer path back to your starting point in the centre of the village.

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Poppenberg Circular Trail
Walking Time:	3 ¾ Hours
Length:	10 km
Refreshment Stops:	Mostschenke Flötzerstub’n, Jaidhaus, Sportbuffet, Gasthof Edelweiss, Pizzeria Mamamia, Café Annemarie, Gasthof zur Post, Dorfstub’n, Café Gollner, Landgasthof Schmalzerhof
From the beginning of the Kneipp area follow the river downstream, pass Pension Prielerkreuz and cross the river Steyr over the Schachingersteig bridge. The path to the Poppenberg mountain (860m) starts on the opposite side, next to the petrol station and leads steeply uphill to a viewing platform an a protruding rock. From here you can enjoy stunning views of the valley. Follow the forest road downhill along the sunny side and in an easterly direction around the mountain. You can shorten your path in Schönau by walking the shady part of the mountain straight downhill towards the Stoder Valley main road or further on to the Stromboding waterfalls to return back to your starting point along the Flötzer path. The proper path leads along forest and field paths passing a number of mountain farmhouses, circling the entire Steyrsberg mountain offering views to the opposite sunny side of the Tambergau, which you reach by following the tar-road for a short while before taking a path through the forest down into the area of Tambergau. There you cross the Stoder Valley main road as well as the river Steyr on the “Sagmeister” bridge to continue along the Flötzer path upstream towards the Stromboding waterfall and back into the village.

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Polsterlucken Circular Trail
Walking Time:	2 Hours
Length:	5,5 km
Refreshment Stops:	Polsterstüberl, Gasthof zur Polsterlucke
The most popular hiking path of the Stoder Valley starts from the parking area at the Johannishof farm, which is situated approx. 1,5 km after the village centre. Cross the river Steyr, pass the Johannishof farm and continue along the path to the most beautiful spot with picture post card view – the Schiederweiher Pond surrounded by the most prominent peaks of the Tote Gebirge mountain range (Great Priel, Spitzmauer…) Continue towards the Polsterlucke (the term „Lucke“ is generally used in this area to describe caves) until you reach a farmhouse refreshment stop Polsterstüberl) situated in the centre of lush meadows and surrounded by mountain peaks. Follow the gravel road in a south-easterly direction, pass the Klinsergut farm with its game feeding points and turn to your left to get back to the Schiederweiher pond and the Johannishof farm.

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Cider Farmers Circular Trail
Walking Time:	3 ¾ Hours
Length:	10 km
Refreshment Stops:	Mostschenke Flötzerstub’n, Gasthof Sonnfeld
The area Tambergau is situated four kilometres before reaching the village centre of Hinterstoder. The lengthy trail starts at the „Sagmeister“ bridge and leads a short way back up the valley along the Stoder Valley main road. Pass the farmhouses Peterhof and Grausgrab to follow the trail along the wooded slope of the Tamberg mountain to the Salmer farm. Pass the Bruderhof farm and follow the path from the Immerl farm along a tar-road down to the Eselsbach stream and cross over to the other side to the foot of the Steyersberg mountain leading you up the mountain to the Friedl farm. Up there you cross over into the Loigis Valley where the route turns to lead underneath the Stensberger farm and further on to a forest leading to the Poppenberg mountain. The forest leads gently down the Steyersberg mountain through a beech forest back to your starting point.

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Stoder Valley Panorama Circular Trail
Walking Time:	6 ½ Hours
Length:	18 km
Refreshment Stops:	Café Stockerberg, Gabis Dorfstüberl, Landhotel Stockerwirt, Jaidhaus, Sportbuffet, Gasthof Edelweiss, Pizzeria Mamamia, Café Annemarie, Gasthof zur Post, Dorfstub’n, Café Gollner, Landgasthof Schmalzerhof
From the beginning of the Kneipp area follow the river downstream, pass Pension Prielerkreuz and cross the river Steyr over the Schachingersteig bridge. Follow the path to the Poppenberg mountain (860m), which starts on the opposite side, next to the petrol station and leads steeply uphill to the “Stoder View” viewing platform. From here you can enjoy stunning views of the valley. Stay on this altitude and hike along the ridge of the mountain above the Loigis Valley to Vorderstoder. The trail leads over farm roads, forest and meadow paths passing a number of farmhouses on the way directly into the village centre of Vorderstoder. Continue on the opposite side of the village – the Hutterer side – by following the road uphill and through meadows for about 1 km. Pass the farmhouses Hackl and Bärngut before the path forks off to the right, passes the Hutstückl farmhouse and leads towards the mountain range. From the Wartegggut farmhouse at 806 m above sea level, the road leads steeply downhill back into the valley.  The circular path ends gently between the Country Hotel Gressenbauer and Hotel Poppengut in Hinterstoder, only a few minutes away from your starting point.

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Stoder Valley Height Trail
Walking Time:	4 ¾ Hours
Length:	13 km
Refreshment Stops:	Gasthof zur Polsterlucke, Polsterstüberl, Jaidhaus, Sportbuffet, Gasthof Edelweiss, Pizzeria Mamamia, Café Annemarie, Gasthof zur Post, Dorfstub’n, Café Gollner, Landgasthof Schmalzerhof
Beginning from the path next to the Hotel Poppengut you walk steeply uphill towards the toll road, which is the highest point at this stage. Pass the Fröstl farm further into the valley – cross the „Hannes Trinkl“ downhill racing track as well as the slope leading into the village. Shortly after the Sturmgut farm the path turns up into the forest. When you have reached the Geislitzkogel mountain do not miss a side trip to the northern edge of the terrain where you will find the viewing point of the Schiederweiher pond. Continue downhill over a steep western slope to the Rinnergut farm, cross over the Stoder Valley main road and follow a lovely path along the meadow leading upstream the river Steyr to the bridge at the Pehamvilla. Cross the river and continue on the Flötzer path back up the valley to the Polsterlucke, the Schiederweiher pond and back to the centre of the village.

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Steyrbergerreith Circular Trail
Walking Time:	5 ¼ Hours
Length:	14 km
Refreshment Stops:	Schutzhütte Edtbauernalm, Lögerhütte, Steyrsbergerreith, Almgasthof Baumschlagerberg
You can shorten this trail tremendously by using the cable car, which takes you 800m up to the Hutterer Plateau. Alternatively you can walk up from the bottom station along the shady northern slopes – partly following the ski slopes along farm roads, partly on narrow paths. From the top station of the cable car (the actual beginning point of this trail) you can take an easy stroll to the eastern part of the plateau, the Edtbauernalm alpine meadow & hut. Follow the path on the outer edge of the ridge and experience the spectacular view from the protruding rock – called chamoix seat – into the depths of the valley. After a short stay in the “raised hide” as hunters call it, you continue downhill. Parallel to your path, which is has been cut into the mountain, the slope drops steeply. The wild & romantic path leads into a farm road at the bottom of the Rot Valley. Turn right after approx. 2 km and follow a path through the forest and up over an alpine meadow to one of the most original alpine huts still in operation today – the Steyrsbergerreith alpine hut. Forest paths lead you back downhill to the alpine restaurant Almgasthof Baumschlagerberg situated in the municipal area of Vorderstoder. Follow the tar-road for a short period before the road merges with the Stoder Valley Panorama Trail to lead you back to the village centre of Hinterstoder along easy gravel roads.

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Hutterer Plateau Circular Trail
Walking Time:	1 ½ Hours
Length:	3,7 km
Refreshment Stops:	Schutzhütte Edtbauernalm, Lögerhütte
Starting at the top station of the cable car there is a gravel road which connects all the ski and alpine huts positioned around the centre of the alpine plateau and all the way to the Edtbauernalm alpine hut, situated at the eastern end of the plateau. A side trip to the Chamoix Seat is worthwile – an exposed rock, similar to the raised hide of a hunter – offering you fascinating views. The way back leads slightly uphill and meanders through old pine trees along the foot of the ski slopes. The final part drops slightly and leads you back to the alpine huts in the central area of the plateau.

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Hutterer Alpine Meadows Circular Trail
Walking Time:	3 Hours
Length:	7,5 km
Refreshment Stops:	Schutzhütte Edtbauernalm, Lögerhütte
DThe alpine meadow trail starts at the cable car mountain station or the parking area of the Höss Toll Road on the Hutterer Plateau at approx. 1.400 m above sea level. A well maintained farm road passes the bottom station of the 6-person chair lift, the Höss Express, and leads quickly uphill to the west. Enjoy your first uninterrupted and breathtaking view across the alpine panorama of the Tote Gebirge mountain range from the “Hutterer Lake”. Continue through a clear larch forest to the most western point of the area with stunning views over dolomite towers to the alpine huts of the Hutterer Alm (alpine meadow) at approx. 1.600 m above sea level. Should you decide to turn back, then follow the path leading eastwards down to the Edtbauernalm (alpine hut & meadow) or continue a level up to the alpine meadows at approx. 1.800m above sea level. From there you can take the Höss Express for a quick and easy descent back to the Hutterer Plateau. If you prefer to walk, continue along the same path back to the Hutterer Alm and follow the markings to the Edtbauernalm, along a narrow path leading through the larch forest at first, followed by the pine trees, lift areas and ski slopes crossing diagonally downhill. From the centre of the Hutterer Plateau follow the path westwards back to your starting point.

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Höss Circular Trail
Walking Time:	¾ Hour
Length:	1,8 km
Refreshment Stops:	Berggasthof Hutterer Höss
Starting point of the Höss Circular Trail is the top station of the Höss Express at approx. 1.800 m above sea level. The circular trail leads along a practically level path through the lush alpine meadows and alpine bushes – called „Latschen“ (needle bushes) and rises gently through the „Latschen Labyrinth“ to the so-called Schneeofen (snow oven) along the south-eastern edge of the terrain. The alpine meadow path takes a south-westerly direction at a later stage, crosses the alpine path to the Schrockengrat ridge and leads slightly uphill again to the viewing platform „Dachsteinblick“. From here the path continues downhill: meandering through alpine needle bushes in downhill serpentines to the fascinating view of the two most prominent peaks, Great Priel and Spitzmauer (pointed wall), also reflected in the waters of the Schafkogel Lake. From the lake the path passes a small mountain chapel and leads back to the mountain restaurant Berggasthof Höss and further to the top station of the 6-person chair lift, the Höss Express.

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Höss Alpine Circular Trail
Walking Time:	1 ½ Hours
Length:	3,5 km
Refreshment Stops:	Berggasthof Hutterer Höss
From the starting point at the top of the 6-person chairlift – the Höss Express – you follow the trail of the Höss Circular Trail to the snow oven (Schneeofen), soon after which the Höss Alpine Circular Trail forks off southwards to the Schafkögel mountain. The path meanders downhill again along the western edge of the terrain with steep drops down into the Weißenbach Valley to reconnect after a 200m drop in height with the Höss Circular Path  just above the viewing platform „Dachsteinblick“.

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Scythe Theme Trails

Let the scythes show you the way in Roßleithen!

The village of Rossleithen is situated in the heart of the Pyhrn-Priel holiday region, between the Sengsengebirge mountain range of the Kalkalpen National Park and the Warscheneck Mountain of the Tote Gebirge mountain range. Numerous hiking paths of all categories invite you to spend prolonged days in the mountains.

Rossleithen got its name to fame due to the numerous scythe smiths positioned along the river Piessling in earlier days. Owing to this tradition the hiking area was extended by six new theme trails. More than 120 information boards were erected over a length of approx. 25 km, telling you about the history of the scythe industry, the development of the farmhouses, the local school and much more.  In addition inscribed panoramic pictures along the paths explain the stunning mountain backdrop. Numerous natural spectacles like the Piessling Spring, one of the largest karst springs in the Eastern Alps, with an outflow of thousands of litres of water per second, or the Gleinkersee Lake, one of Austria’s warmest alpine lakes are very popular destinations and valued highlights of the region. A number of small and variedly coloured scythes serve as signposts. Each colour indicates a path of its own – a unique marking system and the only one world-wide at present! All paths are designed as circular trails – all starting off at the Info-Point in the centre of the village.
Should you want to experience the process of scythe production and its uses first hand, a visit to the local scythe factory Schröckenfux, one of the oldest industrial enterprises in Austria producing high quality scythes for over 450 years, now exported world-wide, is a must!.

--> Starting point for all trails at the Info-Point directly in the centre of the village
--> All trails are partly accessible for prams and wheelchairs, except the „Yellow Trail“ which is fully wheelchair friendly
--> In winter the trails are open subject to snow conditions

Yellow Trail
Walking Time:	approx. ½ Hour
Refreshment Stops:	Gasthof Sengsschmied
The trail leads through Rossleithen. Descriptions of scythes and the history of various buildings. Accessible in summer and winter – pram & wheelchair friendly.

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Red Trail
Walking Time:	approx. 1 Hour
Refreshment Stops:	Jausenstation Gallbrunn
The trail leads along the foot of the Schweizerberg mountain and passes the refreshment stop Jausenstation Gallbrunn. Stunning views of the surrounding Alps from the Pyhrgas mountain to the Priel mountain range. Accessibility in winter depending on snow conditions.

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Blue Trail
Walking Time:	approx. 2 ½ Hours
Refreshment Stops:	Jausenstation Gallbrunn, Gasthof Sengsschmied
The trail leads over the Schweizersberg mountain, descriptions of farmhouses, the Alps and stories about scythes. On top of the Stummerkogel mountain (817m) you will find a detailed description of the alpine panorama. Sturdy shoes are recommended!

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Purple Trail
Walking Time:	approx. 4 Hours
Refreshment Stops:	Gasthof Waldhof, Hotel Gut Enghagen, Wildparkrestaurant, Gasthof Sengsschmied
The trail also leads into the area of Spital am Pyhrn. At the Seebachhof farm the path leads over the Schweizersberg mountain to Piessling and Kaixen to the sites of previous scythe works. Their history is displayed along the trail. You pass the game park Enghagen before returning back to Rossleithen. Sturdy shoes are recommended!

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Green Trail
Walking Time:	approx. 2 ½ Hours (excl. Gleinkersee Lake Circular Trail – approx. 30 min.)
Refreshment Stops:	Gasthof Tommerl, Gasthof Seebauer, Gasthof Sengsschmied
The trail passes the display of the largest scythe world-wide and leads to the Piessling Spring and further to the Gleinkersee Lake. A shady and romantic path through the forest leads you back to Rossleithen. Sturdy shoes are recommended!

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Brown Trail
Walking Time:	approx. 1 Hour
Refreshment Stops:	Gasthof Sengsschmied
The trail joins the green trail all the way to the Piessling Spring before leading back to Rossleithen via a hiking path offering lovely views.

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WurzerNatureExperienceWorld

Freely according to the motto „2 million years in 2 hours“ you are in for a unique experience on top of the Wurzeralm alpine plateau in Spital am Pyhrn. Find out about how the Alps developed while enjoying a walk along an attractive and easy circular trail.

Although the Alps started their development already approximately 65 million years ago, man only started to intervene in its development about 1 – 1,8 million years ago. Since the stone age, the hunting activities of the Neanderthal man are traceable here at the Wurzeralm. Prehistoric rock drawings were found in a rough rock area, called the „Höll“, which are displayed and interpreted in the Austrian Rock Art Museum in Spital am Pyrhn. Already the Celts made economical use of the area surrounding the highest moor in the Northern Lime Alps by farming on the alpine meadows.  Natural needle forests as well as alpine mixed forests, sub alpine pines, larches and numerous alpine rose fields mark the rough natural landscape and make it an unforgettable experience.  
Today, the world fastest cable car takes you to the middle station of the Wurzeralm at 1.400 m above sea level in only 7 minutes, from where a high plateau awaits you as starting point of many mountain tours, ranging from easy to challenging. The Brunnsteinersee, a beautifully situated lake originating from glacier water, invites you to spend some refreshing moments. To reach even higher without too much strain, take the Frauenkar cable car to 1.900 m above sea level where a high alpine circular trail takes you on a safe journey with breathtaking views. A number of original alpine huts & meadows await you to spoil you with local delicacies and a hearty snack!

WurzerNatureExperienceWorld Two Million Years in Two Hours
Walking Time:	ca. 2 Hours
Höhenlage:	1.430 m
Refreshment Stops:	Bergrestaurant Wurzeralm, Linzerhaus, Wiederlechnerhütte, Amriesen Hütte
A mostly level circular path has existed around the largest high and low moor of the Northern Lime Alps , the so-called „Teichlboden“ for quite some time. In the beginning of the summer of 2007 this trail has been established into the above mentioned theme trail. Our earth is 5 billions of years old but still the development of the Alps only started approximately 65 million years ago. This process took about 2 million years to result in the Alps as we know them today. Man came to Europe 1 – 1, 8 million years ago. This era is the focus of our theme trail to give you the opportunity to experience these historic times up close and personal!. NATURAL AND CULTURAL LANDSCAPE During the last ice age the glaciers reached to the area of the Wurzeralm plateau. Visible traces confirm that fact. The Wurzeralm is also one of Austria’s most interesting landscapes. Natural alpine needle and mixed forests, sub alpine pine and larch forests or sub alpine larch forests with vast alpine rose fields mark the natural landscape. Already during the stone age men hunted here on the Wurzeralm. During the bronze age herders managed to get as far as the alpine meadows of the Filzmoosalm and started to clear forests to turn them into fields. The alpine meadow Filzmoosalm is one of the oldest alpine pastures. A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME Marvel at nature’s creation on this journey through time, how man has changed the environment to suit his needs and where our responsibility lies to future generations. The journey is completed with the highest high moor of the Northern Limestone Alps where a lake was formed from a glacier, which melted about 3000 BC. Today forest and alpine industry forms the area. It is this fantastic natural and cultural landscape we want to preserve for the future. ALPINE INDUSTRY The actual alpine pasture has been kept authentic for the last 700 – 800 years. If we want to keep the alpine landscape with its stunning variety of flowers, then we must not abandon this old type of culture. This is only possible if we put value back into the products of our alpine pastures and place a demand on them. THE ALPS – OUR JOINT NATURAL INHERITAGE Only the last few minutes of our two hour circular hike through 2 million years of history of our planet show drastic and sudden changes: overdevelopment, noise, air, water and soil pollution. The sensitive ecosystem of the Alps is suddenly threatened. The Alpine Convention of 1991was an important mile stone for the future development of the alpine landscape, which steps are implemented by the Alpine Convention Office based in Austria. The theme trail at the Wurzeralm aims to make us aware of the vulnerability of the Alps. Our planet took millions of years to develop and might be the only one carrying life. We all need to actively get involved to ensure the future of the Alps and the Wurzeralm alpine pastures!   Many interesting stations give illustrative information about geology, alpine flora, high moor, alpine life during times of the Celts, secretive karst and disappearing waters as well as on alpinism and tourism!

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