Gstatterboden: Hiking, Cycling and Exhibitions

Gstatterboden combines hiking and mountain biking trails with exhibitions at the National Park Pavilion. The pavilion is just a few minutes’ walk from the train station and is a starting point for hikes to Ennstalerhütte and for the Hochscheiben mountain bike tour. When planning, it is worth keeping the specific starting points and route details for each destination in mind: they differ in distance, duration and the terrain described.

Hiking from Gstatterboden

The Rauchboden nature trail can begin at the Enns Bridge in Gstatterboden and is around 4 kilometres long. Its stations give families insights into the geology, fauna and flora of the Gesäuse. The trail thus combines a clearly stated, manageable distance with several nature-related topics that feature along the way.

A hike to Ennstalerhütte starts at the National Park Pavilion. Its route is described as alternating between forest roads, woodland paths and open alpine meadows. The challenging crossing of Großer Buchstein follows a route from the pavilion via Buchsteinhaus to Eisenzieher. The details highlight different features of the two routes: for the route to Ennstalerhütte, the changing terrain is specified; for the crossing, the difficulty and sequence of stops are given.

Another route description leads from Gstatterboden via the Rauchbodenweg and then Trail No. 641 to Buchsteinhaus. The walking time is about 2.5 hours. For two other destinations, however, Ennstalerhütte is listed as the starting point: from there, Tieflimauer can be reached via the Teufelssteig via ferrata in about 2.5 hours; it lies at an elevation of 1,820 metres. Tamischbachturm is at 2,035 metres and can be reached from the hut via Trail No. 648 in 1.5 hours. When comparing the times, note the respective starting point: the last two tours begin at Ennstalerhütte, not in Gstatterboden.

Mountain biking and finding your way locally

The Hochscheiben mountain bike tour starts at the National Park Pavilion. The Hochscheiben–Ennsbodenweg tour also begins and ends there. The Ennsbodenweg mountain bike route is a separate section that runs for just under 4 kilometres along the left bank of the Enns to the Forstgarten campsite in Gstatterboden. This offers two distinct points of reference for choosing a route: a tour starting and finishing at the pavilion, and a clearly described section along the riverbank.

Forstgarten campsite is on the banks of the Enns and can be reached on foot from the National Park Pavilion. The campsite has pitches, a fire pit, a camping area and a bathing area by the river; these facilities may be seasonal. Its capacity is around 100 people and may be updated by the operator.

National Park Pavilion and exhibitions

The National Park Pavilion houses an information point for Gesäuse National Park and a small shop. The building also hosts the exhibition “Planspitze – Mountain of Contrasts”. It explores the Planspitze massif, which rises above Gstatterboden. The pavilion thus combines practical visitor information with a specific feature of the Gesäuse landscape.

The “Planspitze – Mountain of Contrasts” exhibition is open from May to October, Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 18:00; admission is free. Check opening hours before your visit.

Another exhibition in Gstatterboden focuses on the construction of the Kronprinz Rudolf Railway in the Gesäuse. It is open daily from 1 May to 31 October 2026, from 09:30 to 18:30, and admission is also free. If you plan to visit both exhibitions, note their different opening days and hours. Check current visiting times before travelling.

For the wider travel overview: Liezen.