Hiking through Austria from north to south – Eisenwurzen Trail

Your long-distance hiking adventure starts at the northernmost point of Austria near Rottal on the border with the Czech Republic. At twelve kilometers, the first stage is comparatively short and offers you a relaxed start. On secondary roads it goes to Haugschlag and from there without any notable height… read more

The second stage starts on the southern shore of the Herrensee in Litschau. Through the landscape characterized by colorful fields it goes into the forest, where you meet striking granite blocks like the Höllstein. You hike along the course of the Föhrenbach, pass small ponds and can enjoy a lot of rest… read more

The third day of hiking starts in Gmünd and the route leads you through a wonderful forest and lake area. If you want to shorten the 28-kilometer stage, you can take the train to Weitra from Gmünd. The Eisenwurzenweg alternately runs through shady forest and across extensive arable land.



You walk up and… read more

The further south you hike, the more mountainous the landscape becomes and on the fourth day you climb the first summit on the Eisenwurzenweg. After a relaxing night in the Harbach moor spa, the ascent to the Nebelstein begins. Once you reach the top, you break the 1,000-meter mark and look forward to… read more

Through the hilly landscape at the beginning of the fifth stage you go east from Langschlag to Groß Gerungs. If your feet are a bit tired, you can alternatively take the train. Forests, meadows and small villages characterize today and you can take a break at the idyllic Klauskapelle. A lot of nature… read more

After a night in Arbesbach you hike over gentle hills and through forests interspersed with mighty granite cliffs. Again and again you come across heaped boulders, in the spaces between which small caves have formed. You march past impressive square courtyards and cross clear brooks. You can rest at… read more

Today you start in Bärnkopf and hike south on the high plateau of the Weinsberg forest. The majority of this stage is in the shady forest on soft paths. You can cool off at the numerous ponds and streams that lie along the way. The highlight of the day is the romantic Ysper Gorge: over stairs, footbridges… read more

The eighth stage begins with the ascent from Laimbach to the Small and Large Peilstein. From the peaks you have a wonderful view over the colorful mosaic of forests, meadows and fields. At the so-called Peilsteiner Sonnenplatzl you can rest and eat your provisions. From a height of just over 1,000 meters… read more

Passing the impressive Persenbeug Castle, the route begins at the beginning of the ninth stage via the well-known Persenbeug-Ybbs power station. The Danube Cycle Path also passes here, so it can get a little busy on beautiful summer days. If you are interested in hydropower generation, I recommend taking… read more

Stage 10 starts in Kollmitzberg and leads you past colorful fields to Viehdorf. There you cross the West Autobahn and reach Amstetten a short time later. The main square with its many cafés, restaurants and shops is particularly worth seeing. Via the train station it goes to the Mühlbach, which takes… read more

After a night in Euratsfeld you hike through a landscape typical of the Mostviertel: a colorful mix of forest, meadows and fields surrounds you. After half of today's stage you come to St. Leonhard am Walde, where you will find a beautiful church and a cozy inn. Strengthened, we continue westwards, again… read more

On the twelfth day of the Eisenwurzenweg you descend from the Sonntagberg into the valley of the Ybbs. You follow the course of the river to Waidhofen an der Ybbs or alternatively take the train if you want to give your feet a break. In Waidhofen, the mighty Rothschild Castle, the remarkable market square… read more

With less than 14 kilometers and only 200 meters of altitude, this stage is one of the most relaxed on the Eisenwurzenweg. So you can start the day comfortably and sleep a little longer than usual. From Opponitz you hike back to the banks of the Ybbs and follow their course along today's entire route… read more

Today it goes up high and there are a few meters of altitude waiting for you: After a hearty breakfast in Hollenstein you tackle the ascent of the Voralpe in the Eisenwurzen Nature Park. On idyllic forest trails it is partly steep uphill, but above you will be rewarded with a gigantic view. Your gaze… read more

Today you can look forward to the first night in a mountain hut along the Eisenwurzenweg. From Altenmarkt near St. Gallen you start to the south and cross the rushing Enns. The Großer Billbach initially gives you the way and it goes comfortably through the beautiful valley. The tour takes you to small… read more

After a delicious mountain breakfast at the Ennstalerhütte, this stage takes you through the wonderful mountains of the Gesäuse National Park. You start with the descent into the valley, hike through alpine forest and over idyllic alpine pastures like the Hörantalm. In Gstatterboden on the Enns you can… read more

The day starts with a gigantic view of the rugged limestone mountains in the Gesäuse National Park. From the Mödlinger Hütte you first hike downhill through the forest and then uphill to the quaint Colonel Klinke Hütte. If you get hungry for a second breakfast or a piece of strudel - this is the opportunity… read more

With a good 28 kilometers, this stage is the longest on the Eisenwurzenweg, so pack up a little more food. You start at the Gasthof Brodjäger in the Triebental and just like the day before, the Triebenbach gives you the direction. Accompanied by the babbling of the stream, you reach the Triebental hut… read more

The nineteenth stage starts in the village of Ingering II and you can take a detour to Schloss Wasserberg. From there it goes up to the Gaaler Höhe, where there is a nice rest area with a small shelter. This is cultivated on weekends and invites you to take a break. From the Gaaler Höhe, the Eisenwurzenweg… read more

Your day begins in the beautiful town of Judenburg an der Mur. If you want, you can make a detour to Liechtenstein Castle before heading south. You follow the Seetalstraße through a wide forest area and it goes steadily uphill. With the top of the fire bar in view, you will reach a picturesque rest area… read more