Starting point of the tour
Göstling Center
Route description Rundwanderweg Göstling - Steinbachboden – Stiegengraben – Goldaugraben - Hagenbach
PART I: GÖSTLING – STEINBACHBODEN – STIEGENGRABEN
PART II: STIEGENGRABEN – SOMMERHOF – GOLDAUGRABEN – GÖSTLING
DIRECTIONS (PART I):
From the Göstlinger Alpen Tourism Association office, walk past the tobacco shop, then turn right, cross the Ybbssteg footbridge, pass the Ybbstaler Solebad, and continue to Federal Highway No. 31 toward Waidhofen.
After crossing the highway, turn right. The marked mountain trail No. 6 begins at the last house. It winds its way uphill in many switchbacks through a shady high-altitude forest. After climbing about 300 meters in elevation, a forest road begins at a log cabin. Turn left onto this path and continue uphill for about 50 meters, either on this path or on a mountain trail branching off to the left. You’ll reach another forest road and, after a short distance, turn right onto a small forest path leading to the “Steinbachboden” viewpoint. You have now reached the highest point of the hike. After enjoying the beautiful view, head back to the forest road and follow it toward Stiegengraben, Hiking Trail No. 6. This trail leads comfortably downhill through woods and meadows, past the “Groß-Schöfftal” mountain farm, to the right turn toward Stiegengraben. Follow the stream through a wild and romantic gorge. You can marvel at several small waterfalls and a tunnel that was once carved out by hand. This section is protected as a “natural monument.” Finally, you’ll reach an old mill. Passing the houses in Stiegengraben, you’ll walk along the paved road to the “Waldesruh” hotel. There, the weary hiker can now take a well-deserved break. Once you’ve had enough to eat and rested up, the second part of the hike can begin. (Walking time to Stiegengraben: approx. 2.5 to 3 hours.
Tip: Take the bus back; the bus stop is located at the Ybbs Bridge (“Stiegengrabenbrücke”)
ROUTE DESCRIPTION (PART II):
After crossing the Ybbs River and Federal Highway 25, Hiking Trail No. 14 to the Ybbstalerhütte begins on the opposite side of the road. Since this trail is unfortunately rocky and wet at the start, sturdy footwear is absolutely essential! You’ll walk uphill along a sunken path and then, at the Schöckelreith farmstead, reach a meadow path or a narrow trail. This ends at a forest road, which then continues uphill to an elevation of approximately 800 m.
Several headwater streams of the Hagenbach spring from the Sommerhof. After crossing the first headwater stream, Forest Trail No. 32 branches off to the right toward Göstling. On this trail, you cross two more headwater streams and then reach the easy-to-walk forest road through the Goldaugraben. The trail leads through shady mountain forest along the Hagenbach, always on a gentle descent. After about 1 ½ hours, you’ll reach the hamlet of “Hagenbach” and then enter the Steinbach Valley. Cross the Steinbach and then turn right onto the themed hiking trail along the Steinbach until you reach the B25.
Here, you cross the Ybbs River and return to Göstling via walking trail No. 13.
