Eisenwurzenweg 08
The place
Rottal - Seebergsattel
Why go
Kalkalpen National Park (Austria's largest protected forest area). Steyr — historic old town with a Gothic town square. Gesäuse National Park with the wild Enns gorge. Autumn cattle drives down from the alpine pastures.
A bit of history
From the Middle Ages until the 19th century, the Eisenwurzen region was the industrial heartland of the Habsburg Empire: iron ore from the Styrian Erzberg was shipped downstream on the Enns to the hammer mills of the Steyr and Enns valleys, where it was forged into scythes, knives, and weapons. The Eisenwurzen Cultural Park preserves this heritage.
Getting there
Enns Valley: Liezen train station (2h from Graz). Steyr Valley: Steyr train station (45 min from Linz). Well served by train and bus.
Recommended gear
Hiking boots (mid-height ankle support). Rain gear. ÖAV map or compass, 1:50,000 scale.
Best season
May to October. Spring brings blooming alpine meadows. Autumn brings colorful foliage.