Klaus an der Pyhrnbahn combines a mountain municipality on the River Steyr with architectural history, culture and excursions on the reservoir. The railway station is right in the town centre. The municipality also includes Steyrling and Kniewas. When planning your stay, it is worth considering the different highlights: church and local history, cultural events, cycling routes or activities on the water.
Location and orientation
Klaus is entirely a mountain municipality in terms of its landscape and lies on the left bank of the River Steyr, looking downstream. The town is at the entrance to the Pyhrn-Priel region. Klaus an der Pyhrnbahn railway station is right in the town centre, making it an easy landmark for finding your way around the town centre. Steyrling and Kniewas are also part of the municipality; the swimming pond and the Church of the Immaculate Conception of Mary are in Steyrling. When planning your excursions, you can distinguish between the town centre and destinations specifically located in Steyrling.
Architectural history in Klaus and Steyrling
The original castle in Klaus was probably built before the 12th century. It likely served to observe, guard and control the area as far as Pyhrn Pass. Schloss Klaus is protected as a historic monument by the Austrian Federal Monuments Authority. The Bergkirche Klaus was built between 1616 and 1618 as a Protestant parish church and consecrated as a Catholic parish church in 1674. Its construction and later consecration mark two distinct periods in the church’s history.
In Steyrling stands the Neo-Gothic Church of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, with statues by Josef and Johann Rint from Bohemia. Its foundation stone was laid in 1854; the church was consecrated in 1863. Together, the two churches reflect different historical highlights: the Bergkirche focuses on its original denomination and later consecration, while the church in Steyrling is notable for its Neo-Gothic style and the timeline from laying the foundation stone to consecration. A hike leads to Schloss Klaus, continues to the Bergkirche Klaus and returns to the starting point via Hofwiese.
Culture in the former locomotive shed
The former locomotive shed in Klaus served as a locomotive repair workshop. It was restored for the 1998 provincial exhibition; today, the municipality uses it as a cultural centre and concert hall. Six concerts are held in the Lokschuppen Klaus every year. The Musik Sommer Klaus has been held annually since 1967. Thus, both a repurposed railway heritage building and recurring music events are part of the town’s cultural identity. If you would like to plan your stay around a particular event, check the dates in advance.
At the swimming pond and reservoir
The Steyrling swimming pond is a bathing facility in the middle of the forest. It includes a swimming area, a children’s play area and a sunbathing lawn with both sunny and naturally shaded spots. In winter, provided it is open, there are two natural ice rinks with floodlighting. This seasonal condition is important when planning: the ice rinks are available only during winter operations.
At the Klaus reservoir, an approximately two-hour round trip on the floating alpine hut boat takes you through wild, romantic gorges and along steep conglomerate walls. The route passes through a canyon-like river landscape. Trips on an electric boat are also offered at the reservoir. If you are planning a specific trip, please check the current departure times. This allows you to consider a visit to the swimming pond and a trip on the reservoir as two different water experiences, without treating the respective offers as the same.
Cycling routes with different highlights
The Kremstal Cycle Path R10, “The Legendary Cycle Path”, is 63 kilometres long and begins and ends in Klaus an der Pyhrnbahn. The Klaus section of the Steyrtal Cycle Path R8 and the Kalkalpen National Park Cycle Path R31 runs mostly close to the long Klaus reservoir. On the R8, the Untergrünburg–Klaus section follows almost exactly the route of the Steyrtalbahn railway. The route descriptions highlight different things: the total distance is given for the R10, the proximity to the reservoir for the R8 and R31, and the location along the railway line for the R8 section. If you are comparing cycling routes, these differences can help you narrow down your options.
Discover more destinations: Pettenbach, Schweizersberg, Vorderstoder, Rossleithen, Windischgarsten, Wartberg an der Krems, Dauersdorf, Schlierbach.
Go to the main travel overview: Kirchdorf an der Krems.
