Stage 05 - Fire: Seven Elements – The Path

From Großreifling to Palfau, we hike under the sign of the element of fire and the process of responsibility. The question “What ideas burn within me to preserve our habitat?” encourages us to reflect on our responsibility towards nature and our fellow human beings. The Bible quote “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24) provides clear guidance in this regard. Whether hiking through dense forests or lingering at scenic spots, this route offers the opportunity to let the silence sink in and discover new perspectives for mindful living.

This project is supported by the Interreg Danube Region Program, co-financed by the European Union.

The Styrian Eisenwurzen Nature and Geopark is one of the most densely wooded regions in Styria – this is particularly noticeable on this stage. Dense forests line the trail, but there are frequent views of the Gamsstein, the villages of Gams and Palfau, and rolling hills and wooded valleys. The route runs gently up and down to the well-known Naturfreundehütte hut before the last few meters of elevation lead downhill to the parish church in Palfau. Palfau is located on a river terrace of the Salza, was once an important junction on the Iron Road, and is now best known for the Wasserlochklamm – a spectacular gorge with waterfalls, a suspension bridge, and one of the strongest springs in Austria.

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

The tour in numbers

medium

Level of difficulty

16,5 km

Route

5:00 h

Time

800 hm

Uphill

680 hm

Downhill

930 m

Highest point

Map & downloads

Download GPX data

Download KML data

More information

Coming from Linz, take the A7 to the Linz junction, then the A1 to Enns West, continue on the 309 to Niedergleink, the 122a to Kleinraming, and continue on the B115 to Großreifling.

Coming from St. Pölten, take the A1 Westautobahn to the Amstetten exit, then take the B121 to Weyer and continue on the B115 to Großreifling.

Coming from Graz, take the A9 to Traboch, then continue on the B115 to Großreifling.

Coming from Liezen, take the B146 and B117 to St. Gallen and continue on the L705 to Großreifling.

Start:
St. Nicholas Church, Großreifling
1.9 km Start of forest road
6.0 km Sattel 8.4 km Sulzbachalm
11.8 km Gamssteinhals
14.1 km Naturfreundehütte
16.5 km Parish church, Palfau

The Wasserlochklamm gorge, located about 6 km from the village of Palfau, is one of Austria's most impressive natural monuments. Five waterfalls, deep gorges, and a mighty karst spring make it an unforgettable experience in the Styrian Eisenwurzen Nature and Geopark.

www.wasserlochklamm.at

For more information on train and bus connections, visit www.verbundlinie.at and www.oebb.at.

With the Verbundlinie BusBahnBim app, finding timetable information has never been easier: all bus, train, and tram connections in Austria can be searched for by entering locations and/or addresses, stops, or important points. The app is available as a free app for smartphones (Android, iOS) – on Google Play and in the App Store.

In the Gesäuse, you can get around in summer even without your own car. Just call +43 3613 2100099: during operating hours, the Gesäuse shared taxi will take you to any destination in the Gesäuse – no timetable or stops required. www.gesaeuse.at/mobil

Several parking spaces in Großreifling

Gesäuse Tourist Association
Hauptstraße 35, 8911 Admont, Austria
t: +43 3613 211 60 10
info@gesaeuse.at
www.gesaeuse.at

Places to eat and shop in Palfau

Naturfreundehaus Lackneralmhütte, Tel.: +43 660 2583 026, www.lackneralmhuette-naturfreunde.at, only open Sat-Sun from May to mid-October
Gasthof Stiegenwirt, Tel.: +43 664 4144 251, 8923 Palfau 159, www.stiegenwirt.at
Nah&Frisch Schwarzlmüller, Tel.: +43 3633 2259, 8931 Landl, Großreifling 19
Nah&Frisch Liess, Tel.: +43 3638 208, 8923 Hieflau, Palfau 39