A trip to Kleinsölk can combine nature and culture: Lake Schwarzensee and the Strub Gorge hike offer different hiking destinations, while the Sölk Marble Works offers guided tours in summer. Other highlights include the Parish Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, which forms an architectural complex with the rectory, and a historical episode in the story of Ennstaler Steirerkas cheese. When planning, it is important to consider the relevant starting points and seasonal offerings, so you can choose what to focus on during your stay based on what you would like to do.
Hiking Destinations and Nature Park
Lake Schwarzensee is the largest mountain lake in the Niedere Tauern range. From the Breitlahnhütte, you can reach it on hiking trail 786 with an easy walk. The Strub Gorge hike starts elsewhere: it begins in the Kleinsölktal valley and follows a trail to the gorge. When choosing between the two destinations, you can focus on the starting point and destination—lake from the Breitlahnhütte or gorge from the Kleinsölktal valley. Before setting off, check the conditions on the relevant trail and the access regulations on site.
The Sölktäler Nature Park extends across the municipalities of Großsölk, Kleinsölk and St. Nikolai im Sölktal; it is a nature conservation and recreation area. This offers a broader perspective for getting your bearings than a single hiking destination: the nature park covers several municipalities, while each of the trails mentioned has a specific starting point and destination.
Culture, Craft and Food History
One architectural landmark is the Parish Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Kleinsölk, which forms a complex with the rectory. This draws attention to the combined ensemble of church and rectory and complements the nature-related themes with a cultural highlight.
In summer, guided tours at the Sölk Marble Works offer insights into how colourful crystalline marble is formed and processed. If you are interested in the history of materials and craftsmanship, you can make this a focus of your visit. As tours are offered during the summer months, check in advance whether one is running on the date of your visit.
There is also a specific historical connection to local cuisine: on 18 January 1963, the dairymaids from the Sölktal alpine pastures and the cheesemaker from the Gröbming dairy met at Zaunerhof in Kleinsölk to develop the production process for Ennstaler Steirerkas. This episode adds the history of cheese-making and a distinct perspective on regional food culture to the architectural and craft themes.
Plan Your Journey and Accommodation
During the summer season, the Tälerbus runs daily according to schedule from Stein/Enns to Kleinsölk/Breitlahnhütte. If you plan to start your hike to Lake Schwarzensee at the Breitlahnhütte, you can consider this as a travel option. Check the current timetable before travelling to make sure the seasonal service operates on your chosen date.
If you are planning your travel dates around a seasonal guided tour or the Tälerbus, check them against the relevant service and then look for a hotel for your planned dates.
Discover more destinations: Mitterberg, St. Leonard, Furrach, Rohrmoos-Untertal, Wörschach, Großreifling, Weißenbach An Der Enns, Sankt Martin Am Grimming
For the wider travel overview: Liezen.
