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).

Sturdy mountain footwear, rain protection, provisions, possibly sticks, first aid kit, mobile phone

Mountain rescue: 140

International emergency number: 112

Please check in advance for any trail or road closures in the Naturpark Ötscher-Tormäuer. You can find this information at https://www.naturpark-oetscher.at/aktuelles-top-informiert-im-naturpark

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.

Take the Mariazellerbahn to Mitterbach station. If shortening the route, you can board at the Erlaufklause station.

Parking is available at the nature park entrance in Mitterbach or at the Gemeindealpe lift parking lot.

Ybbstaler Alps - Tourism Association

+43 5/93049

info@ybbstaler-alpen.at

www.ybbstaler-alpen.at

Nature Park Ötscher-Tormäuer

T +43 2728 / 21 100

info@naturpark-oetscher.at

www.naturpark-oetscher.at

Vorderötscher shelter (888m, renovated and expanded in 2014, operated from May to October, www.naturpark-oetscher.at/vorderoetscher).

Ötscherhias snack station (680m, open May to October, daily until about 5 p.m., www.oetscherhias.at).

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.