Erlaufboden is the destination for several hikes; from here, you can also climb the Ötscher’s 1,893 m main summit via the Rauher Kamm. For planning, it is worth distinguishing first between the route over the Rauher Kamm, which includes a climbing section, and point-to-point hikes: other trails lead through the Hintere Tormäuer or past the Schleierfall. Public transport connections also vary depending on the route. This makes choosing the start and end points just as important as deciding which landscape or technical focus you would like to include in your hike.

Via the Rauher Kamm

The Rauher Kamm is a climbing section on the route. The Ötscher’s 1,893 m main summit in the Lower Austrian Prealps is climbed from Erlaufboden via the Rauher Kamm. A detour to the Ötscher Caves is possible at the ridge. The difficult route from the Rauher Kamm down to the deepest gorges requires sure-footedness and a good head for heights. It can be slippery in places when wet and should only be attempted in good weather.

Trails through gorges and the Tormäuer

The route from Trübenbach to Erlaufboden passes the Schleierfall. One option starts at Stierwaschboden and runs through the Hintere Tormäuer to Erlaufboden. The return route to Erlaufboden goes through the Ötschergräben. These gorges are known as Austria’s “Grand Canyon.” The routes described differ in their sections and waypoints, even though Erlaufboden is a destination on several of them.

Getting there and point-to-point hikes

In the region, the Mariazell Railway is used for the return to the starting point on many hikes. Together with the Nature Park hiking bus, it enables car-free point-to-point hikes with different start and end points. During the summer holidays through the end of September, public transport to or from the route’s start and end points is available on Saturdays and Sundays via the Mariazell Railway and the Nature Park hiking bus. Before travelling, check the latest service information and coordinate your start and end points with the transport options available on the specific day. The route from Stierwaschboden to Erlaufboden through the Hintere Tormäuer has no public transport connection.

Wienerbruck Power Station and accommodation

A route through the Hintere Tormäuer passes the Wienerbruck Power Station at Stierwaschboden. The turbine hall houses a self-guided exhibition; a guided tour can be arranged for interested visitors. The exhibition adds a technical element to your hiking plans, while the guided tour is an additional option available on request.

A family-run inn in Erlaufboden is located in Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park and serves as a starting point for hikes into the Hintere Tormäuer. For travellers focusing on this hiking area, it is a convenient accommodation option: you can choose where to stay based on the hiking area you plan to explore.

Discover more destinations: Eschenau an der Traisen, Türnitz, Mitterbach am Erlaufsee, Hohenberg, Oberried, Lilienfeld, Rohrbach an der Gölsen, Sankt Veit an der Gölsen.

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