Gemeindealpe - Vorderötscher - Hintere Ötscher ravines - Mitterbach

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 17,69 km
Duration: 5:50 h
Ascent: 263 m elevation gain
Descent: 1062 m elevation gain

Beautiful mountain route to the Gemeindealpe and through the Ötscher ravines with fantastic views of the Lower Austrian and Styrian mountain regions.

Starting point of the tour: Nature park entrance Mitterbach
Tour destination: Nature park entrance Mitterbach

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 17,69 km
Duration: 5:50 h
Ascent: 263 m elevation gain
Descent: 1062 m elevation gain

Fitness level required:
6/6
Overall experience:
4/6
Scenery:
6/6

Lowest point671 m
Highest point1612 m

Round tour
Nice views
With refreshment stops
Accessibility by train and bus
Summit tour

Downloads

gpx_addressbase_40052
(GPX)

Description

The tour starts at the Terzerhaus at the summit of the Gemeindealpe, accessible either on foot or by chair lift. The trail then leads downhill along small paths to the Vorderötscher refuge, where you can stop for refreshments and overnight accommodation. The trail then continues downhill into the Ötschergräben, past the Schleier and Mirafall waterfalls to the Ötscherhias snack station. The trail then continues towards the Erlauf reservoir. Here you can board the Mariazellerbahn at the Erlaufklause. If you want to finish the tour on foot, you can continue along the picturesque Erlauf reservoir to Mitterbach.

Equipment Sturdy mountain footwear, rain protection, provisions, possibly sticks, first aid kit, mobile phone
Route description 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).
Parking Parking is available at the nature park entrance in Mitterbach or at the Gemeindealpe lift parking lot.
Getting there 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.
Public transport Take the Mariazellerbahn to Mitterbach station. If shortening the route, you can board at the Erlaufklause station.
Editor’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.