Discover Krakauhintermühlen

In Krakauhintermühlen, distinctive cultural sites meet a variety of alpine attractions. The hammer mill and the branch church of St. Ulrich offer insights into craftsmanship and sacred art. Other highlights range from lakes and mountain huts to a challenging mountain hike. When planning your trip, it makes a difference whether you are mainly interested in history and architecture, considering a circular walk, or putting a long hike at the center of your plans.

Hammer Mill and Churches

The hammer mill in Krakauhintermühlen was used as a tool forge and residential building until 1966. Its tail hammer is powered by a breastshot waterwheel. “Breastshot” refers to the way the waterwheel is powered, not to the size of the wheel. The building therefore brings together two aspects: its former use as a forge and residential building, and the hammer’s mechanical drive.

The branch church of St. Ulrich in Krakauhintermühlen is another cultural highlight. It houses a Gothic winged altar and is described as a Styrian gem. The altar makes the church particularly interesting to travelers interested in sacred art. The Church of St. Ulrich on Hollerberg is another historical landmark: it was built in 1478. This year of construction places it clearly in time, without conflating it with the branch church in Krakauhintermühlen.

Lakes, Mountain Huts, and Alpine Landscapes

Lake Etrach lies at an elevation of 1,374 meters, between the most inner-alpine areas of the Lower Tauern, Rupprechtseck, and Bauleiteck. Lush alpine meadows and impressive larches surround the lake. There is a two-kilometer circular hiking trail there. Check seasonal conditions before setting out on your hike.

The information about the huts also highlights different features. Grazer Hütte lies at the foot of Preber, which is 2,740 meters high. Rudolf-Schober-Hütte is located at an elevation of 1,667 meters in one of Austria’s largest Swiss stone pine forests. The information for Preber gives the mountain’s height, while that for Rudolf-Schober-Hütte gives its elevation—two different types of height measurement. With a bit of luck, you may spot ibex, white-tailed eagles, and even bearded vultures around Rudolf-Schober-Hütte. Wildlife sightings depend on chance and the season.

Different Planning Requirements

It is possible to hike from Grazer Hütte to Rudolf-Schober-Hütte, but this is considered a challenging mountain hike and takes around ten hours of walking. It is suitable only for hikers with a good level of fitness. By comparison, the circular trail at Lake Etrach is listed as two kilometers long. The information therefore describes different planning considerations: a route distance on the one hand, and a long walking time combined with a challenging route on the other.

Fishing is permitted along the Etrachbach for four kilometers downstream from the lake’s outlet. In addition, fishing is permitted along the left branch for two kilometers upstream to its source. Seasonal operating conditions and local restrictions apply to fishing; take these into account when planning. A parking lot is available at Klausnerbergsäge for hikers. As availability may depend on local conditions, we recommend checking the situation before your visit.

If you are looking for a hotel, first consider what you want your trip to focus on: the cultural sites, the circular trail at Lake Etrach, or a challenging hut-to-hut hike. These activities differ considerably in character and—in the case of the hut-to-hut route—in the time required.

Discover more destinations: Sankt Marein Bei Neumarkt, Kaindorf-Süd, Zeutschach, Sankt Lorenzen bei Scheifling, Mühlen, Stolzalpe, Scheifling, Winklern bei Oberwölz.

View the broader travel guide: Murau.