The Enns Bike Trail

This lovely trip begins in Radstadt, in the middle of the Alps. Canyons, romantic and breathtaking at the same time, enchanting small towns, huge mountains and lonely trails by the side of two national parks are waiting for you. You will experience an adventurous trip through a unique landscape between Dachstein, Salzkammergut and Niedere Tauern. The route along the Enns takes its course mostly on calm rural roads and bike trails, but also on moderately travelled streets. Even though the chosen route always goes downhill towards the Danube, you will have to master some acclivities in between. Visit the world’s largest monastery’s library in Admont, stay the night in Steyr, one of the most beautiful towns of Austria, to finally continue from Enns to Linz passing Austria’s oldest towns by the Danube.

1. day  Arriving in Radstadt

Your departing point is easy to reach by car via the Tauern-highway (6 km from exit Radstadt) or by express train (train station Radstadt). Be looking forward to a small town of about 5000 inhabitants and a rich offer of freetime activities. Your trip starts in 856 m hight on a plateau in the upper Enns valley, surrounded by the two mountain groups (in the North) and Radstädter Tauern (in the South). Rental bikes and information material will be handed over in the afternoon.

2. day  Öblarn/Irdning 55 km

The idyllic Enns valley bike trail leads through fields and meadows, past the popular swimming lake and continues through more beautiful landscape to Schladming. Meadows, creeks, clear mointain lakes, pastures and mountains let the hearts beat higher! An unhurried break in the Old-town of Schladming upon Enns, this historical spot in the mountains, seems attractive before reaching today’s destination via Pruggern and Gröbming. Here, a visit of the sculpture park of Irdning is recommendable: a park to relax and to enjoy art.

3. day  Admont 47 km

Passing Aigen in the Enns valley and Wörschach, you will arrive in the attractive shopping town Liezen! Capital of the Enns valley district, the town is not only a good point of departure for bike trips and excursions, but also a nice town to spend a few hours in for anyone. The local gastronomy supplies you with refreshing drinks and a culinary diversity. The pool of Liezen offers the possiblity to relax and cool down during the day. Should you wish to accomplish some more difference in altitude, it is possible to take a trip to the „Hinteregger Alm“, offering a terrific view over the mountain panorama of the Enns valley before continuing to Admont. A visit of the Benedectine monastery is worthwhile in Admont. It has been founded by archbishop Gebhard of Salzburg in 1074 and is thus the oldest existing monastery of the Steiermark. The Benedictines of Admont try to live according to the rules of the holy Benedict („rules of the house“ for a monasterial community), which, due to its profoundness, effected important progress over several decades. The rhythm assigned to the Benedictines’ life is shaped by prayer, spiritual guidance, education, culture, social activities and the personal consolidation of life. In addition to 26 parishs, the monastery directs the nursing home of Frauenberg, a high school and further institutions employing about 500 secular coworkers. The main cultural attraction of the monastery is the baroque library, considered the world’s biggest library of a monastery, and the new museum.

4. day  St. Gallen 30 km (without Gesäuse)

Take your chance to get to know the magnificent Gesäuse in the morning (canyon, hardly any bike trails). The Gesäuse (17km length) is one of the most impressive canyons in Europe. It owes its name to the Enns roaring through its middle. The towns of Admont, Hall and Weng are situated in another basin next to the natural monument „Gesäuse-Eingang“ (entrance of the Gesäuse). Ardning lies westwards at the entrance of the Gesäuse region. In 2002, after the establishment of the „Gesäuse national park“, the Gesäuse has reached also international acknowledgement as a protection area of a unique biota. The national park extending over an area of about 11.000 ha is the most recent one of the six Austrian national parks. Four distinctive massifs of the Enns valley Alps limit the Steiermarks largest compact natural conservancy. Bizarre stone monuments, shady woods, dark caves and flowered mountain meadows are part of this untouched piece of nature. You will now continue to St Gallen via Wenig and the Buchauer Sattel (3 km of acclivity).

5. day  Großraming 51 km

Today’s first stage is the Mooshöhe (4 km of acclivity, option to accomplish the acclivity by bus, surcharge). A real recompensation awaits you now! 27 easy km through the heart of the Kalkalpen national park. With its almost 21.000 ha, it is he biggest protected forest area of Austria. The colorful mixed forests of the Reichraminger mountains and Sengsen mountains make you feel a hint of wilderness. Nature is the highest priority, as the conservancy is the home of many seldom animals and plants. The shy lynx returned here and the old tree giants offer habitats for the local mountain woodpecker. After 51 km you will reach Großraming, a municipality within the boundaries of the national park, awarded “The most beautiful village of Upper Austria”.

6. day  Steyr 45 km

It’s getting hilly today! The route with its slight hills leads you to the romantic town Steyr via Losenstein, Ternberg, Trattenbach and Garsten. Are you looking for something extraordinary? Then you should profit from a short trip on the slow steam trains. Get to know Austria’s oldest 760mm-narrow-gauge railway. 17 km of rail connect Steyr to Grünburg and Steinbach/Steyr. The route leads along the Steyr, among Austria’s cleanest rivers, and through wonderful woods and meadows. The steam engines and wagons have been restored with so much sensitivity to details, that you wouldn’t tell they have been in service for more than 100 years. And at night? A watch-man in his ancient traditional costume with halberd and lantern guides the visitors every Thursday at 9p.m. around the medieval town of Steyr, telling all kinds of stories and legends.

7. day  Linz 50 km

The last kilometres if the beautiful Enns bike trail are waiting for you now. You will first reach the town of Enns to continue to the mouth of the Danube. Before taking the ferry and following the broad stream of the Danube to the capital Linz, you should absolutely take your time in Enns. The old fortified town still remains caracteristic for the picture of Enns. It originally consisted of wall, trench, inner and outer city wall with altogether 15 peels and 4 gates! The fortress was built in 1193. Major parts of the city wall and 6 peels still exist today. The „Frauenturm“ is especially remarkable, as the former Hospitaliers’ chapel found its place on the upper floor today. The Hospitaliers used to maintain a hospice for the pilgrims travelling on the „European Jacob’s route“. Marvel at the beautiful houses of the Old-town with their impressive fronts and idyllic courtyards. The compact main place surrounded by magnificent houses seems to spread Italian flair. The town’s landmark, the tower of about 60 metres height once built as a bell- and surveillance tower, emerges visibly into the sky. Climb its 157 steps to enjoy the fantastic view.

8. day  Departure from Linz

Today the time to say goodbye to historical buildings, impressive churches and one of Europe’s biggest medieval main places has come. You will travel back to Radstadt by train. On demand, we are happy to book additional nights for you in this amazing town.