We leave Schladming via Katzenburgweg and follow the railway tracks to Lehen. A slightly wider yet quiet road takes us through Oberhaus to Haus im Ennstal, where we cycle along Marktstraße through the town. Near the church, we turn left towards the River Enns, cross it, and arrive in the idyllic village of Weißenbach an der Enns. From here we continue to Aich. We promised interesting excursions – and here is the first opportunity: a detour to the Steirischer Bodensee. To get there, we go straight on at the railway line. It should be mentioned that a rather steep climb awaits us, but the reward is just as great. The Steirischer Bodensee is a true natural gem. This crystal-clear mountain lake, surrounded by some of the most impressive peaks of the Schladminger Tauern such as Hochwildstelle and Höchstein, is one of the top attractions and most beautiful spots in the Ennstal. A gentle one-hour circular trail leads around the lake.
The main route continues between the railway line and the Enns on a beautiful paved path. After about 2 kilometres, we cross the Enns once again and cycle through a stunning riverside woodland to Pruggern. In the Pruggern district on the left side of the Enns, the cycle service station is worth a visit if you need to take care of small repairs. Our next destination is Moosheim. Just before reaching the church, we turn left to Moosheim Castle – and then onwards to Tunzendorf. With the Grimming now in view, the route leads us further into the small villages of Öblarn and Niederöblarn. Here is another tip: the Öblarn Copper Trail offers fascinating insights into the lives of the miners – an experience for young and old alike. In Niederöblarn we turn left, and after a few metres right again towards Irdning, which is also the goal of today’s stage. On hot summer days, a welcome refreshment awaits us here at the Irdning leisure centre, where we will find not only a bathing lake and playgrounds, but also modern art in the form of wooden and stone sculptures. A visit to Trautenfels Castle is an absolute must. Considered one of the landmarks of the Ennstal, it sits atop a rocky spur at the foot of the Grimming. The landscape museum inside the castle presents the cultural and natural history of the Styrian Ennstal and the Ausseerland in 13 kaleidoscopic exhibition rooms. The accessible observation tower offers an unforgettable panoramic view over the Ennstal mountains.
To the 3rd stage of the Enns Cycle Path
To the full overview of the Enns Cycle Path