Enns: Radstadt - Linz

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.

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.

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 main cultural attraction of the monastery is the baroque library, considered the world’s biggest library of a monastery, and the new museum.

Take your chance to get to know the magnificent Gesäuse in the morning (canyon, hardly any bike trails). The Gesäuse (20 km 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. 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).

Today, the included shuttle bus will first take you to the Mooshöhe. The Kalkalpen National Park then awaits you. 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 your journey through the Kalkalpen National Park, you reach your destination for the day, Großraming, which has been awarded the title of "Most beautiful village in Upper Austria".

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.

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. 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.

Today it's time to say goodbye to the historic buildings, impressive churches and one of the largest medieval main squares in Europe. We will be happy to book a return transfer by train (excl. own bikes, season 1 + 2) or bus (incl. own bikes, season 3) to Radstadt for you. We are also happy to book additional nights in this wonderful town for you on request.