Dies ist der höchste Punkt der Etappe: links die schmale Piste weiter hinauf würdest Du in ca. 20 min das Ötscherschutzhaus erreichen und könntest von dort aus den Gipfel des 1.893 m hohen Ötscher erreichen (zeitlicher Mehraufwand von Riffelsattel hin und zurück etwa 3 Std. 15 min). Der Luchs Trail jedoch leitet beim Wegweiserbaum am Riffelsattel auf der anderen Seite des Sattels bergab (Ww. „Ötschergräben“ Nr. 5). Zunächst über einen Steig durch freies Gelände, bald dann durch schönen Wald steigst Du etwa 300 Höhenmeter recht steil in Serpentinen hinab – der Wald spendet hier auf dieser Südflanke wohltuenden Schatten. Du erreichst nun eine Forststraße, die nach rechts hinableitet (Ww. „Wienerbruck/Ötschergräben“ Nr. 14/15). Bald erreichst Du eine größere ebene Forststraße, der Du durch Wiesen nach links am Forsthaus „Spielbichler“ vorbei folgst. Nach etwa 30 min (2 km) auf dieser nur ganz leicht fallenden Forststraße zweigt rechts ein Steig Richtung „Wienerbruck/Ötschergräben“ Nr. 14/15 ab. Über diesen wanderst Du zunächst durch Wiesen und dann durch teilweise ziemlich steilen Wald hinab in die Gräben.
Hier beginnen die berühmten Ötschergräben: Du folgst dem zunächst noch recht lieblichen Ötscherbach talauswärts und erreichst in Kürze den Schleierfall, einem wunderschönen Wasserfall. Kurz hinter dem Wasserfall würde eine Holzbrücke rechts über den Bach Richtung „Schutzhaus Vorderötscher“ führen – Du bleibst jedoch links des Baches und folgst weiter dem Steig talauswärts („Wienerbruck/Ötschergräben“ Nr. 14/15). Spätestens ab hier werden die Ötschergräben deutlich wilder: der ausgezeichnet angelegte Steig ist ab hier über längere Strecken mit Seilgeländer versehen, da der Steig immer in 10 bis 30 m Höhe links über dem nun wilderen Ötscherbach angelegt ist. Teilweise sind auch Holzstege mit im Fels installiert, diese eindrucksvolle Schlucht gut begehbar zu machen. Du wanderst insgesamt 2 Std. 30 min die Ötschergräben hinab und ignorierst die aus dem Graben abzweigenden Steige – dabei kommst Du auch am „Ötscherhias“, einer mitten in den Fels gebauten Jausenstation erreichbar über eine Brücke, vorbei. Dies ist – abgesehen vom abseits der Route gelegenen Ötscherschutzhaus – die einzige Einkehrmöglichkeit auf dieser Etappe. So erreichst Du – immer den Ww. Wienerbruck folgend – schließlich das Schaukraftwerk „Stierwaschboden“. Hier teilen sich die Wege: Du überquerst die Erlauf nach rechts (Ww. „Bahnhof Wienerbruck“ – kurz davor mündet der Ötscherbach in die Erlauf) und wanderst direkt am Schaukraftwerk vorbei (ein kurzer Besuch ist unbedingt zu empfehlen).
Nun folgt ein finaler Anstieg hinauf nach Wienerbruck: hinter dem Kraftwerk beginnt ein teilweise in den Fels gehauener aber sehr gut begehbarer Steig, der wiederum eine Klamm entlang 130 Höhenmeter bis zu einer Weggabelung führt. Hier hältst Du Dich rechts bergauf Richtung Wienerbruck und erreichst nach 20 Minuten eine kleine Asphaltstraße. [HINWEIS: Hier hängt eine Spendenbox des Naturparks Ötscher-Tormäuer, deren Erträge der Erhaltung der Steiganlage dient. Der Naturpark freut sich sehr über eine Spende, damit auch weiterhin die Begehbarkeit der Ötschergräben gewährleistet ist.] Die nach rechts führende Asphaltstraße bringt Dich in 5 Minuten zum Ziel des Luchs Trails, des „Naturparkzentrums Ötscher-Basis“.
Nun heißt es endgültig, die Füße hochzulegen und noch einmal alles Revue passieren zu lassen. Oder aber – noch besser – vorher noch einen Blick in dieses sehenswerte Naturparkzentrum zu werfen, das uns so viel über die wilde Natur in „Österreichs Wilder Mitte“ erzählen kann.
Tip:Es wird empfohlen, sich vor der Buchung mit dem Trail Info- & Buchungscenter in Verbindung zu setzen.
Angebote unter: bookyourtrail.com
Safety guidelines:Auch für Wechselwetter solltest du gut gerüstet sein.
Das richtige Packen deines Rucksacks macht vieles leichter:Schwere Sachen packst du als erstes ein. Die Wasserflasche sollte immer gut griffbereit in einer Seitentasche sein. Alle Dinge, die oft benötigt werden wie Sonnenbrille, Smartphone oder Wanderkarte, gehören obenauf.
Additional information:
Infostelle Niederösterreich:
Mostviertel Tourismus
Töpperschloss Neubruck
Neubruck 2/10, 3270 Scheibbs
Tel.: +43 (0)7482/204 44
info@mostviertel.at
Infostelle Oberösterreich:
Alpenland Tourismus GmbH
Bahnhofstraße 2, 4580 Windischgarsten
Infobüro: Reichraming
Tel.: +43 7252 53229-40
reichraming@360alpenland.com
alpenland@360.com
Infostelle Steiermark:
Tourismusverband Gesäuse
Hauptstraße 35, 8911 Admont, Österreich
Tel. +43 (0) 3613 21160 10
info@gesaeuse.at
www.gesaeuse.at
Opening hours all year round by appointment only
Experience the fascination of model making up close - in the old elementary school in Lackenhof you can marvel at a model railroad, the Ötscher mountain railroad, the Gr. and Kl. Ötscher and a detailed replica of the village of Lackenhof including buildings.
NEW: Erzberg, Christmas cribs and RC vehicles
Visits by appointment only!
August Etzler is looking forward to your visit!
If you want to relax, unwind and enjoy sports during your vacation, you don't have to do without your favorite leisure activities. Simply get in touch with me and hire me on an hourly basis to accompany you photographically and get great pictures that you can enjoy all year round.
Your special advantages: In me you will find a dedicated professional photographer who knows the region and, thanks to his diverse interests and training, certifications and qualifications, not only ensures good pictures. You will also learn a lot of background information while I stage you in your vacation environment, get to know the best photo spots and vantage points and can test my hiking guide skills on hikes.
Or test my qualities as a ski sports photographer on the slopes of your choice in the region between Ötscher, Maiszinken, Hochkar and Forsteralm. My experience from junior and masters ski racing, where I have been able to get very close to skiing for many years as a recognized photographer at school ski championships, WinterWorldMastersGames (Innsbruck 2020) or at Masters World Championships, is just right to be used for you.
For example: The photographic accompaniment of a hike 'On the wooden path' through the Mendlingtal in Göstling/Ybbs or through the Ötschergräben with your family in spring or fall. Or ski school lessons for your children with fun on the slopes in the afternoon. Or participation in a ski race or ski sports training. The latter can be organized by me at your request through my contacts, as can a semi-professional photo shoot in the wild and romantic natural landscape of the Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park in the Mostviertel.
Simply contact me and make an appointment!
To have time for yourself in a stressful world, to let your mind wander, switch off from everyday life and let yourself be pampered.
That's the basic idea behind Karin's feng shui hairdressing studio!
The Hubertus Huts is a rustic, wooden ski hut on the Eibenkogel (955m) in Lackenhof am Ötscher.
Energy meets history. The Niederösterreichische Landes-Elektrizitätswerk, predecessor of today's EVN, built the Wienerbruck power plant from 1907-1911, which generated the traction current for the Mariazell Railway and thus for one of the first electrified railroads in Austria-Hungary.
The power station is still in operation. It has been open to visitors since the Lower Austrian Provincial Exhibition in 2015. The power station can only be reached on foot from the Ötscher-Basis Nature Park Center in Wienerbruck in around 45 minutes.
Tip:
Combine a visit to the Wienerbruck power plant with a hike through the Ötschergräben and the Ötscher-Tormäuer, or with a visit to the Ötscher-Basis Nature Park Center and the Vorderötscher refuge.
The Ötscher village of Lackenhof lies at 810 m above sea level in a side valley right at the foot of the Ötscher and is part of the "Hiking Village Gaming". It offers wonderful conditions for a vacation in the heart of nature all year round. In SUMMER, Lackenhof is the ideal place for connoisseurs and explorers. Well-marked hiking trails and mountain bike routes of all levels of difficulty lead around the Ötscher village.
In WINTER, the attractive ski area on the Ötscher offers everything families could wish for. From the Sunny Kids Park with magic carpet to black pistes. Ski schools and ski rental are available to our guests directly in Lackenhof. Away from the slopes, winter sports enthusiasts can look forward to 33 km of perfectly groomed cross-country ski trails, 12 km of winter hiking trails and 3 permanently signposted snowshoe hiking trails.
Famous waterfall in the Ötschergräben: Hikers can reach the 90-metre-high Lassingfall from Wienerbruck in around 45 minutes via a narrow but well-maintained path. A viewpoint along the way provides a particularly beautiful view of the waterfall.
The Lassingfall is located directly on the hiking route between Wienerbruck and Ötscherhias, which is also the most famous section of the Ötschergräben.
The Lassingfall and Lassingbach are particularly impressive in spring and after heavy rainfall.
ATTENTION: Please do not access via the Kienbachfall (indicated in Google Maps) - there is an extreme danger of falling!
The address for your navigation system for the nearest parking lot is: Ötscher-Basis, Langseitenrotte 140, 3223 Wienerbruck
The hiking trail also leaves from there!
Tour tips around the Lassingfall:
On all four tours, the Mariazell Railway can be used as a convenient means of transportation back to the starting point.
Further information and tour tips for the Ötschergräben can be found at www.mostviertel.at/oetschergraeben!
The Teichwies'n Alm offers fresh food and regional delicacies. You can also visit our alpine store with lots of gift ideas and souvenirs.
The largest nature park in Lower Austria is also the most impressive for many. This is partly due to the wealth of adventures that await in the impressive landscape, and partly due to the tranquil, unspoilt nature around the Ötscher mountain - with its inimitable interplay of gentle alpine pastures, deep gorges, waterfalls and caves. Adventure stations at the nature park entrances add informative and playful aspects to hiking.
The Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park is accessible to the public via the Mariazell Railway. The seven nature park stations are: Winterbach, Puchenstuben, Gösing, Reith, Wienerbruck, Erlaufklause and Mitterbach.
Hiking cabs run between Mariazell - Erlaufsee - Lackenhof.
There is a large parking lot directly at the Ötscher base in Wienerbruck. The parking lot is the ideal starting point for your hike into the Ötschergräben.
The Mariazell Railway also has a stop in the immediate vicinity (Wienerbruck station) and will take you back to Wienerbruck after your hike. Alternatively, you can of course start the day with a scenic train ride that will take you comfortably to your tour starting point.
The parking lot is subject to charges (coins only). The current prices can be found at www.naturpark-oetscher.at/anreise-und-eintritt.
Hiking tours from Wienerbruck:
Hiking tours to Wienerbruck:
(the journey from Wienerbruck to the starting point of the tour is by Mariazell cable car)
Tip: The Seegasthaus Ötscher-Basis invites you to stop off right at the parking lot!
Opening hours all year round by appointment
Every Thursday in the former Lackenhof elementary school, master carpenter Karl Teufel presents many tools from the carpentry and joinery trades, which were also used by the lumberjacks of the time. Various demonstrations show how these tools are still used productively today. The history of how the tools were made is also documented on various images.
In addition, the Ötscher bear and numerous other taxidermied native animals provide educational information from the world of fauna.
A special exhibition on "The cow as a draught animal" has been added to the museum "Old crafts - lived anew", which has now been in existence for 3 years.
A cow with an attached manure sledge in original size, many A3 pictures with cows and other carriages and their corresponding explanations have been presented with guided tours since November 2017.
The private museum has also been part of the Lower Austrian Iron Road Museums since 2019.
The Teichwiese toboggan run is centrally located in Lackenhof am Ötscher, just after the entrance to the village next to the Teichwies'n Alm. Thanks to its central location, it is particularly easy to reach and a popular meeting point for winter family fun.
The cross-country skiing equipment prepares a meadow here, which offers ideal conditions for safe and fun toboggan runs thanks to its basin location. At the same time, there is plenty of space to play, run around and trample the snow.
Use of the tobogganing meadow is free of charge and toilet facilities are located in the immediate vicinity. Plate and Zipfelbobs as well as toboggans can be hired directly on site at Sport 2000 and Intersport Ötscher in Lackenhof.
If there is enough snow, the toboggan run is open from December to the end of March and ensures carefree winter fun in the middle of the village. ❄️��
Beautiful waterfall, whose fine waterway is partly reminiscent of a veil. It is located in the rear Ötschergräben, on the path between the Vorderötscher shelter and the Ötscherhias snack station.
Tour tips around the Schleierfall in the Ötschergräben:
Further information and tour tips for the Ötschergräben can be found at www.mostviertel.at/oetschergraeben!
The Teichwiesn Alm is located in the center of Lackenhof and is a popular refreshment stop for skiers and hikers alike. The heart of the Teichwies'n Alm is the Alm Café. The innkeepers serve hearty regional delicacies in a rustic and cozy atmosphere. You can also buy all your daily groceries in the adjoining grocery store.
The Almrausch is the meeting point in the center of Lackenhof and is located in the Teichwiesn' Alm.
Impressive waterfall in the middle of the famous Ötschergräben. A popular destination for hikers.
Tour tips around the Mirafall:
Further information and tour tips for the Ötschergräben can be found at www.mostviertel.at/oetschergraeben!
Please get in touch for more information.