Description
From Türnitz onwards, the entire route is marked red-white-red and is designated Austrian Long-Distance Trail 06. The Weidenau is a picturesque beautiful valley with extensive meadows and forests; near the road are farmhouses, some of which are still old houses in the typical Lower Austrian style with interesting exterior facades. A path with boardwalks leads through the gorge, surrounded by forest, rocks, and the romantic mountain stream. There is also a cave about 70 m long, the Nix Cave, in the gorge.
Starting point of the tour
Türnitz
Route description Türnitz - Eibl - Falkenschlucht
On foot, it is about 3.5 km through the narrow valley to the natural monument Falkenschlucht. In front of the Innereben hunting lodge at the junction, a marked path leads right through the Dachsental, where you can reach the Tirolerkogel with the Annaberger Hut. A path with boardwalks leads through the gorge. After about 45 minutes of walking through the gorge, you reach a forest road. From there, you have two options: to the left on the forest road back to the gorge entrance or to the right further on the Austrian Long-Distance Trail 06 via Ulreichsberg to Mariazell.
Short version:
1) Iron Gate parking lot, on foot or by bike to the Falkenschlucht, through the gorge with a visit to the Nix Cave, back on the forest road to the gorge entrance and on the same path to the starting point, walking time about 2 1/2 hours, by bike about 1 1/2 hours. This route is an easy hike and ideal for the whole family. This route can also be done from the parking lot in Türnitz.
2) Parking lot Türnitz, Schildbachrotte, Weidenau, through the Falkenschlucht, back on the forest road to in front of the Innereben hunting lodge, at the junction uphill onto the marked path through the Dachsental, Tirolerkogel with Annaberger House (overnight accommodation), further to the Eibl (refreshment possibilities at the Teichhütte of the Tröstl family or at the "Wichtlalm" with the Schacherl family, descent to Türnitz) walking time about 8 to 10 hours.
3) Parking lot Türnitz, Schildbachrotte, Weidenau, through the Falkenschlucht, on the Long-Distance Trail 06 further via Ulreichsberg to Mariazell (pilgrimage route), return by post bus to Türnitz. Walking time about 6 hours.
Directions
If you come from the direction of St. Pölten, pass the parking lot on the B 20 in the town area of Türnitz, after about 500 m turn left toward Weidenau-Falkenschlucht. From the parking lot in Türnitz, the valley becomes narrower after about 5.5 km. This narrow part is called the Iron Gate. Shortly thereafter, there is a parking lot where the car ride ends.
Parking
Parking lot Türnitz
