Steinbach an der Steyr brings together two distinct cultural themes with hiking and cycling routes. The Knife-makers’ Museum focuses on the history of knife-makers and blade smiths; the nativity scene exhibition presents exhibits from all five continents. There is also a panoramic circular trail, a mountain biking route and the Steyrtal Cycle Route R 8. If you are planning a stay, you can first decide whether crafts, nativity scenes, views or cycling will be your main focus.
Crafts and international nativity scenes
The Knife-makers’ Museum in Steinbach an der Steyr showcases the history of knife-makers and blade smiths. The Knife-makers’ Discovery Trail leads from the terminus of the Steyrtal Museum Railway to the museum. The trail and exhibition thus link the history of local crafts with a named route. The exhibition “Nativity Scenes from Around the World – Pils Collection” presents a different cultural theme, with nativity scenes from all five continents. The Nativity Scene House in Steinbach holds a collection of more than 600 nativity scenes from almost 100 countries. The collection may continue to grow over time. While the museum focuses on the history of a craft, the nativity scene collection spans a broad geographical range.
Circular trails and views
The Panorama Trail is a circular route from the village square to the upper terrace of the Steyr Valley. It passes small wayside crosses and monuments before returning to the starting point through the Färberbach Valley. For hikers interested in small traces of local culture, these details are just as much a part of the trail as the view as far as the Totes Gebirge mountains. The circular route thus combines a particular perspective on the landscape with small features along the way.
The GrĂĽnburger HĂĽtte offers another viewpoint at the foot of the 1,273-metre-high Hochbuchberg in the municipality of Steinbach an der Steyr. While the Panorama Trail offers views as far as the Totes Gebirge mountains, in favourable weather the view from the hut extends from the Totes Gebirge to the MĂĽhlviertel in both summer and winter. When choosing between the two viewpoints, consider both the route itself and the weather-dependent visibility from the hut.
Cycling routes and getting around
The Energie-Erlebniswanderwelt Steinbach is one of the most popular hiking and cycling trails in Steinbach an der Steyr. The Grünburger Hütte mountain biking route is one of the town’s most popular cycling routes. The Steyrtal Cycle Route R 8 runs from Aschach an der Steyr via Steinbach an der Steyr and Grünburg. Another route, “Schobersteinhaus and Grünburger Hütte”, starts at the village square. After about 7.5 kilometres, it branches off onto the forest road into the Dorngraben. The R 8 is described by the towns along its route; for the route starting at the village square, the turn-off in the Dorngraben after about 7.5 kilometres is the specific point of reference.
Two bus lines are listed for planning your journey: line 452 connects Rohr, Bad Hall and Steinbach an der Steyr; line 433 connects Steyr, Molln and Kirchdorf. Check the current timetable before travelling, as line names and service patterns may change. Hiking and cycling maps for Steinbach an der Steyr and the surrounding area are available at the municipal office, some for a fee. If you want to use a particular map, check its availability and any costs in advance.
An annual December event
The Steinbach Advent Calendar includes the ritual of opening a window: from 1 to 24 December, it takes place daily at 5 p.m., when a visitor is allowed to open the corresponding calendar window. Details may vary from year to year. If you are travelling specifically for this event, check the dates for the relevant year.
Discover more destinations: Hinterstoder, Rossleithen, Molln, NuĂźbach, Windischgarsten, ObergrĂĽnburg, Rinnerberg, Rosenau am HengstpaĂź
Back to the main travel overview: Kirchdorf an der Krems.
