Ötschergräben: Wienerbruck - Lassingfall - Ötschergräben - Erlaufklause

Over millions of years, the power of water carved the Ötschergräben from the limestone of the Ötscher massif. Today, this "Grand Canyon of Austria" presents itself as the centerpiece of the Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park. The romantic Lassingfall waterfall to Stierwaschboden, a small path even with tunnels, great gentian, petergstamm, spurge-laurel, mountain asters, saxifrage, lilies, dolomite, and gypsum, rugged rocks and waterfalls at every turn, splendidly laid-out paths, and in the middle the Ötscherhias, a renovated mill with an overshot waterwheel and on top gentle, wide meadows at Hagengut – all of this comes together on this route and is well shaken up by the short return trip on the Mariazellerbahn.

Wienerbruck, entrance Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park (Wienerbruck station)

Route description Ötschergräben: Wienerbruck - Lassingfall - Ötschergräben - Erlaufklause

Along the reservoir lake to the dam. Now turn left into the damp forest gorge. Cross the bridge and follow the north edge of the gorge. After the rushing "Kienbachfall" waterfall, there is a cascade, the remains of the Lassingklause, and shortly after, the bridge over the drop into the "Lassingfall" waterfall. The path leads steeply downhill into the rocky terrain of the Dolomite wall breaking off from Marienstein. Continue to the Stierwaschboden with the power plant. Here cross the Erlauf bridge to the fork and turn left into the Ötschergräben. Follow the Erlauf valley inward to the charming waterfall of the Mühlbachl and the "Ötscherhias." At the Hias, cross the bridge and go left up the forest to the forest road. Here turn left to the reservoir lake Erlaufklause (train station). Return by Mariazellerbahn to Wienerbruck.