The Ybbstal Alps are a hiking region with well-marked trails, alpine views, peaceful valleys and villages that cater to hikers. Four municipalities hold the Austrian Hiking Quality Seal and are therefore part of the Austrian Hiking Villages network: Göstling an der Ybbs, Hollenstein an der Ybbs, Gaming and Ybbsitz.
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The quality mark stands for certified hiking quality. This includes well-maintained paths, clear signposting, easy-to-follow route information and accommodation providers who look after hikers well. This makes it easier to plan walks and enjoy them to the full once you’re there.
The hiking villages in the Ybbstal Alps offer a variety of ways to enjoy hiking. In Göstling an der Ybbs, the Hochkar, Dürrenstein and Ybbstal shape the landscape. Hollenstein an der Ybbs is a good starting point for alpine pasture walks, high-altitude trails and walks along the River Ybbs. Gaming is situated close to the Ötscher and the Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park. In Ybbsitz, scenic walking trails blend with the history of the Eisenwurzen region.
Whether it’s a leisurely walk, a mountain hike with stunning views or a longer day’s walk: in the certified hiking villages, you’ll find suitable starting points for many different routes. The trails lead through woods, across alpine pastures, to peaks, along watercourses and, time and again, to places to stop for refreshments.
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Nestled amongst the rolling hills of the Ybbstal Alps lies the hiking village of Ybbsitz – a place that combines nature and living tradition like few others. As the centre of blacksmithing on the Eisenstraße, this market town looks back on a long history that continues to shape the character of the village and the hiking experiences on offer to this day.
Ybbsitz is synonymous with enjoyable hiking through varied countryside. Whether it’s a leisurely stroll or a mountain hike with stunning views – there are countless opportunities for active recreation around the new hiking village. Particularly striking is the blend of nature and craftsmanship: along the trails, you’ll repeatedly come across reminders of the blacksmithing tradition that continues to make Ybbsitz unique to this day.
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Gaming and Lackenhof are synonymous with unspoilt hiking in the Mostviertel. Here, alpine mountain scenery meets nature-led relaxation – authentic, diverse and full of contrasts. The region around the Ötscher offers ideal conditions for anyone who enjoys walking: from leisurely strolls to challenging summit treks. The combination of stunning natural scenery, well-maintained footpaths and genuine hospitality makes this hiking village a truly special place to explore.
At the heart of the hiking region lies the Ötscher, whose striking silhouette is visible far beyond the Mostviertel. An impressive variety of hiking options unfolds around the ‘Vaterberg’.
Particularly well-known are the Ötschergräben – a wild and romantic gorge landscape featuring waterfalls, footbridges and rocky passages. Furthermore, the hike to the summit of the Ötscher promises an impressive mountain experience.
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At the foot of the Königsberg (1,409 m), nestled between the Gamsstein (1,774 m) and the Voralpe (1,770 m), lies the historic village of Hollenstein an der Ybbs at an altitude of around 460 m above sea level. The village is an ideal destination for nature lovers and active families alike.
From refreshing forest trails through mountainous landscapes to a cosy stop for refreshments at an alpine hut. The variety of routes in Hollenstein/Ybbs attracts both mountain adventurers and those seeking a leisurely experience to this hiking village, whilst also delighting visitors with its cultural and historical heritage.
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Nestled in the heart of the Göstlinger Alps, between the Hochkar (1,808 m) and the Dürrenstein (1,878 m), lies the historic hiking village of Göstling an der Ybbs in the border triangle of Lower Austria, Upper Austria and Styria. At 532 m above sea level, the village offers numerous opportunities for sporting activities — including for the whole family.
As well as a wide variety of walks in and around the village centre, many trails also lead high up into the fascinating mountain world of the Göstling Alps. Whilst the ‘belebt. bewegt’ main hiking trail offers views of the scenic mountain landscape, the ‘belebt. bewegt’ village circular walk provides a leisurely route where you can discover the charms and beauty of this hiking village.
