Beautiful mountain route to the Gemeindealpe and through the Ötscher ravines with fantastic views of the Lower Austrian and Styrian mountain regions.
Description
The start of the route is the Terzerhaus at the summit of Gemeindealpe, accessible either on foot or by chairlift. The path then leads downhill via small trails to the Vorderötscher shelter with dining and overnight facilities. Afterwards, it continues downhill into the Ötscher ravines, past Schleierfall and Mirafall to the Ötscherhias snack station. From there, the path continues towards the Erlauf reservoir. At Erlaufklause, it is possible to board the Mariazellerbahn. If you want to complete the round on foot, you continue along the picturesque Erlauf reservoir to Mitterbach.
Starting point of the tour
Nature park entrance Mitterbach
Destination point of the tour
Nature park entrance Mitterbach
Route description Gemeindealpe - Vorderötscher - Hintere Ötscher ravines - Mitterbach
The start is at the nature park entrance in Mitterbach. In Mitterbach, take the chairlift up (alternatively, from Mitterbach ascend on foot to the Gemeindealpe via trail 622 - crossing the chairlift several times - about 2 hours). From the mountain station, follow trail 05 or 622 downhill to the "Iron Hergott". There, take the right descent (Geißriedel) on a marked, initially steep path to the Vorderötscher shelter. (about 1 1/2 hours if using the lift).
From the shelter, descend through the steep Greimelgraben to the Greimelsteg (752m, 20-30 minutes). Follow forest path 622 or 06B through the Ötscher ravines past Mirafall to the Ötscherhias snack station (680m, about 2 hours from Vorderötscher).
At Ötscherhias, follow the railway hiking trail to the Erlauf reservoir (possibility to return by train from the Erlaufklause station with the Mariazellerbahn to Mitterbach (about 3/4 hour from Ötscherhias)) or continue on foot along the Erlauf reservoir towards Mitterbach and back to the nature park entrance (about 1 3/4 hours from Ötscherhias).
Directions
Coming from the A1, exit the motorway at St. Pölten South and follow the B20 towards Mariazell until reaching Mitterbach. Here, the parking lot at the valley station of the Gemeindealpe can be used.
Parking
Parking is available at the nature park entrance in Mitterbach or at the Gemeindealpe lift parking lot.
Take the Mariazellerbahn to Mitterbach station. If shortening the route, you can board at the Erlaufklause station.
Author's tip
At the confluence of Greimelbach and Ötscherbach (Greimelsteg), a short detour upstream to the impressive Schleierfall waterfall is worthwhile.
Alternatively, it is possible to hike through the entire Ötscher ravines. From Wienerbruck, you can return to Mitterbach via the Mariazellerbahn.
