Wienerbruck offers hikes through the Ötschergräben, destinations in the nature park and a historic power station. When planning your visit, distinguish between two walking times of around 45 minutes each: from the Ötscher-Basis Nature Park Centre in Wienerbruck, you can reach the power station only on foot; from Wienerbruck, Lassingfall can be reached via a trail in roughly the same walking time. These times refer to different starting points and destinations. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, plan your day around the specific hike rather than relying solely on the similar time estimates.
Hiking to Lassingfall and through the Ötschergräben
The 90-metre-high Lassingfall is located directly on the hiking route between Wienerbruck and Ötscherhias. From Wienerbruck, a narrow, well-maintained trail leads to the waterfall in around 45 minutes on foot. Its height, trail conditions and location along the route make it a specific destination for anyone planning a hike from Wienerbruck. This walking time refers to the route to Lassingfall, not the duration of the entire route to Ötscherhias.
Another hike leads from Wienerbruck through the Ötschergräben along the Erlauf reservoir to Mitterbach. Mitterbach is a different destination from Ötscherhias on this route. The hike from Wienerbruck to Marienstein has its own distinct appeal: it starts at the entrance to Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park near Wienerbruck railway station and offers beautiful views of Ötscher and the surrounding landscape. When planning your day, you can choose between Lassingfall, the trail along the reservoir and the route to Marienstein without assigning an unspecified walking time to any of them.
Challenging hikes and other routes
The high-alpine hike from Wienerbruck leads through the Ötschergräben, along the southern side of Ötscher and over the Rauher Kamm ridge. The route passes via Jägerherz and the Rauher Kamm to Ötscher, then continues to Riffelsattel and Erlaufklause. Due to the considerable elevation gain, this hike is suitable only for experienced hikers who are sure-footed and do not suffer from vertigo. This restriction is important when choosing a route: the high-alpine hike requires different abilities from the hikes to Lassingfall or Marienstein described above.
The Luchs Trail runs through the Ötschergräben to the Ötscher-Basis Nature Park Centre in Wienerbruck. On the Via Sacra stage from Annaberg to Mariazell, the route continues via Joachimsberg and Wienerbruck to Josefsberg, Mitterbach, St. Sebastian and Mariazell. Both routes offer another way to include Wienerbruck in a hike; the Via Sacra information describes the stage route but does not specify a walking time.
The power station and nature park experiences
The Wienerbruck power station was built from 1907 to 1911 to generate traction current for the Mariazell Railway. Today, it features a family-friendly exhibition about the history and present-day generation of electricity, as well as the Ötscher region. The power station is open to visitors during the hiking season. Before your trip, check whether your visit falls during the hiking season. From the Ötscher-Basis Nature Park Centre in Wienerbruck, you can reach the power station only on foot; the walk is estimated to take around 45 minutes.
The Ötscher-Basis serves as an information centre and starting point for activities in Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park. At the Ötscher Tower, the rooftop terrace offers views of the Ötscher-Basis, the reservoir and the surrounding area. The nature workshop, with its outdoor classroom at the Ötscher Tower, invites visitors to learn about local flora and fauna. Alongside the hikes, the history of electricity generation and opportunities to learn about nature are therefore distinct themes to explore during a stay in Wienerbruck.
Getting your bearings locally
The nearest bus stop is a five-minute walk from Wienerbruck-Josefsberg railway station. If you are planning to travel by public transport, check the relevant timetable in advance. When choosing your excursions, it helps to note the starting point and destination separately: the walking time to the power station starts at the Ötscher-Basis, while the information about Lassingfall gives Wienerbruck as the starting point. This makes it easier to fit the hiking destinations into your day without treating different routes or requirements as the same.
Discover more destinations: Türnitz, Sankt Veit An Der Gölsen, Rohrbach an der Gölsen, Traisen, Annaberg Bei Mariazell, Hohenberg, Mitterbach Am Erlaufsee, Erlaufboden.
Return to the main travel overview: Lilienfeld.
