Nature experiences & adventures in the Steyr region

In the Limestone Alps of Upper Austria there are several holiday regions that offer the best conditions for a trip for families. For example, the Ennstal, Steyrtal and Kremstal. The Steyr National Park region has been a tourist region since 2019 and is located in the southeast of the state of Upper Austria. We asked around what the regions have to offer families.

Where are the Enns, Steyr and Krems valleys?

The Ennstal stretches between Steyr and Weyer and invites you to experience the breathtaking nature. Mountain streams provide refreshment, forests, gorges and alpine pastures offer the perfect ambience for hiking and cycling. For hikers, there are tips and information about the region in the Hohe Dirn hiking center. Passionate cyclists will certainly get their money's worth on the Hintergebirgs cycle path and on a total of 300 kilometers of mountain bike trails.

The Steyr Valley offers less action on the trails and more on the water. The emerald-green Steyr River provides this, and boating, rafting and fishing trips are possible on it. The gorge was formed from a valley that now branches off into many side valleys. Alpine pastures, mountain peaks, springs, butterflies and flowers line the path that interested families can follow here.

The Krems Valley begins a little southeast of Linz near Haid and is 40 kilometers long. In the first section it is rather flat and wide, from Wartberg it narrows increasingly and ends at Micheldorf in the Schön valley watershed. The Krems Valley also has a lot to offer hiking enthusiasts - for example around interesting excursion destinations such as Schlierbach Abbey, Altpernstein Castle or the Seisenburg ruins.

What does the Steyr National Park region have to offer families?

If you don't want to drive off into the blue and want to explore the Enns, Krems or Steyr valleys at random, you can find a selection of family-friendly offers in the Steyr National Park region online : mini golf courses, archery courses, a bike park, a beach volleyball court as well as bathing areas, a climbing garden and a fun park are attractions that the area has to offer beyond the scenic highlights. Families can also immerse themselves in the region's culture, for example by visiting the show dairy in Schlierbach Abbey, the Losenstein castle ruins or Altpernstein Castle. All you have to do is check the opening times of the attractions in advance.

Hiking and walking – on family-friendly routes

Numerous tours meander through the national park, divided into different levels of difficulty. Walking paths can be managed even with the smallest children - some are even suitable for strollers. The routes always offer child-friendly highlights. From Steinbach, for example, the Energy Adventure Hiking World Trail leads along the Steyr for five kilometers. The power of the Rinnerberg Waterfall can also be experienced up close on a 7.5-kilometer tour from Grünburg.

Figure 2: Different routes and tours take families to extraordinary destinations such as Altpernstein Castle. ©Rudolf Rohrleitner

For circular hiking trails, children should ideally be of primary school age. For example, the hiking trail that promises to follow in the footsteps of chocolate, coffee and cider starts in Kirchdorf an der Krems. Alpine pasture and summit tours are only advisable for families with good fitness . Otherwise, the routes are difficult to manage in one day. If you want to find out something about the national park, it is a good idea to take part in a guided national park tour.

Circular routes and individual stages are ideal for cyclists

Figure 3: Cycle paths far away from traffic make every family bike ride relaxing. © Stefan Mayerhofer

Those who prefer to explore the region on two wheels have a wide selection of tours and routes, such as the Enns Valley Cycle Path, the Hintergebirgs Valley Cycle Path, the Steyr Valley Cycle Path or the Krems Valley Cycle Path. The Enns Valley Cycle Path has sophisticated individual stages, making the trip suitable for a day trip. The Hintergebirgs Valley Cycle Path, on the other hand, is a longer tour at 45 kilometers, but is classified as "very easy." The route could start in Reichraming and return there. The family-friendly Steyr Valley Cycle Path R8 covers 55 kilometers, leading from Steyr to St. Pankraz, with an extension to Spital am Pyhrn/Hinterstoder possible. At weekends, the bike shuttle bus takes the whole family back to the starting point. Another tip is the Krems Valley Cycle Path, which leads from Traun to Kienberg.

On water and in the wind – sport is available in many places

Krems, Enns and Steyr are not only beautiful to look at on cycling and hiking tours, but also offer the best conditions for water sports fans. In addition to quiet ship, raft and boat trips, which are possible even with small children and usually start in Großraming, adventurous youngsters can enjoy drifting, canyoning, stand-up paddling and rafting. Ternberg, Dietach and Micheldorf are the most important places to go for anyone who wants to try canyoning, rafting, kayaking and canoeing. For those who want to reach high, Micheldorf and Ternberg offer paragliding and hang gliding.

Figure 4: The Steyr offers the perfect conditions for a walk, a hike or a canyoning or rafting tour. pixabay.com © Korelina (CC0 Public Domain)

For quieter water experiences, the region's water parks are ideal: the Alpenbad Micheldorf, the Arena Schallau and the water parks in Laussa, Leonstein and Großraming. The outdoor pools in Gaflenz, Steinbach, Steyr and Ternberg also invite you to splash around in the cool water. Tip: The Arena Schallau combines 4,000 square meters of space to create a true El Dorado for young and old. Here you can splash along the banks of the Reichramingbach. Families can enjoy a climbing garden, beach volleyball court, playground and even a place for a campfire.