Explore Gaming through its monastic history, cycle paths with a clear connection to the town, and nature experiences. When planning your trip, you can focus on these individually or combine cultural attractions with a cycling or hiking tour.
Charterhouse, church and local history
Gaming Charterhouse was consecrated in 1342 and secularised in 1782. The Charterhouse Museum presents the history of the monastery and the Carthusian monks; the Charterhouse Church was built in the Gothic style. Here, historical milestones, the museum’s subject matter and church architecture come together. The Baroque Marian Column has stood at its present location in Gaming since 1720, adding another historical feature to the architectural story.
The Grabner Hammer is also part of the history of the iron industry in the municipality of Gaming. Along with the Carthusian forge in Langau, it is the only surviving blacksmith’s hammer building from the industry’s heyday. The Holzknecht Museum in Trübenbach, by contrast, focuses on forestry work around the Ötscher: illustrations and original tools show the arduous work of the woodcutters, their way of life and family life. The museum also includes Trübenbach’s former one-room school, where the children of forest farmers and woodcutters were taught until the 1960s. It is open to visitors.
Cycle paths and nature destinations
The 70 km-long Erlauftal Cycle Path leads to Gaming; its flat section ends at the Charterhouse. The regional Erlauftal Cycle Path and the Kleine Erlauftal Cycle Path both pass through the market town. When choosing a route, you can therefore consider both Gaming as a destination and the specifically identified flat section. Gaming is also one of the five municipalities across which the Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park extends.
At Trefflingfall, Trefflingbach plunges up to 120 m into the Erlauf. From the Eibenboden entrance to Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park, it takes about an hour to reach the waterfall. As trail conditions can change, check them before setting out. Around 4 km south of Gaming, the 20 m-high Schleierfall lies on the Fallbach. Nearby, the route from the Polzbergmühle car park begins with a short, somewhat steeper climb, followed by a leisurely hike of about 30 minutes to the waterfall.
Geological attractions offer further perspectives: at observation points 1 to 6, the geological trail provides insights into the geology of the Ă–tscherland region. The Ă–tscher stalactite cave is 575 m long and 54 m deep. During a guided tour lasting about 45 minutes, you can see stalactites thousands of years old, sinter formations, an underground lake and the Fairy-Tale Hall. Access is seasonal; check whether a visit is possible before your trip.
More things to do during your stay
The Ă–tscherland outdoor swimming pool in Gaming has a 68 m-long water slide. Visitors can use the beach volleyball court, mini-golf course and table tennis facilities free of charge; there is also a bocce court in front of the pool. The 12-hole mini-golf course is next to the outdoor pool and tennis centre. These activities complement the cultural and nature attractions with leisure options that do not require a specific itinerary.
The farmers’ delicacies market takes place in the arcades of Gaming Town Hall every other Saturday morning from 08:30 to 11:00. As market hours may change, check the date before your visit. At Bruckner’s Beer World, the beer tour runs year-round from Wednesday to Sunday at 11:00 and 15:00. Groups are welcome at any time by prior arrangement; the tour is accessible. Check the times before you arrive. Gaminger Kartausenbräu is brewed according to the German Purity Law and without chemical additives.
Choose the right focus
When looking for accommodation in Gaming, you can first consider whether cultural history, cycling or nature experiences should shape your stay. The time estimates help you gauge how much time different activities require: for example, the walk from the Eibenboden entrance to Trefflingfall takes about an hour, compared with a hike of about 30 minutes from the PolzbergmĂĽhle car park to Schleierfall. There is also the cycle path, with its 70 km route and flat section to the Charterhouse, as well as activities with set visiting times. Check seasonal access, trail conditions and current dates wherever they are important to your plans.
Discover more destinations: Lackenhof, Schliefau, Strohmarkt, Kienberg near Gaming, Reinsberg, Oberamt, Lunz am See, Steinakirchen am Forst.
For the broader travel overview: Scheibbs.
