See the peaks in Ybbstal
Emerald green water, beautiful views and warm hospitality: You will feel right at home in Mostviertel.
Looking at the Milky Way, or taking a gentle hike along the forest path: Lunz and Göstling know how to impress their visitiors. No wonder, then, that we love coming here, and that we are always surprised by something new in the region.
Lunz am See: An emerald green natural spectacle
Have you ever seen the Milky Way and 7,000 stars in the sky? At the Ybbstalerhütte hut, near Göstling, this dream can become a reality. The hut is in the Dürrenstein Wildness Area, which is one of the regions with the lowest levels of light pollution in Austria. It is therefore a good job that you can stay overnight here at 1,343m above sea level. We recommend not only abandoning the car and embracing nature, but also tackling the ascent to Lunz am See on foot. Along the way, you will see 2 waterfalls: the 60m-high Ludwigfall, and the “Brüllenden Stier” (“raging bull”), an underground waterfall. Before reaching the Dürrenstein summit, with its regal panorama covering 1,878m, you will see the mystical natural lake, the Obersee, which is not far from Ybbstalerhütte, where you will be personally welcomed by the friendly landlady Inge Wurze.
If you do not want to stay overnight in the mountains, we recommend the idyllic 3-Seen-Tour (3-lakes-tour: Lunzer See–Mittersee–Obersee). Both of the waterfalls feature on this route, as well as oscillating peat moss – moss which is matted together and oscillates when it moves. Our tip: For the best overnight stay, visit the Ferienhaus Hinterbreiteneben in Lunz – an old timber house with a panoramic sauna, in a secluded location, in the middle of an enormous flower meadow! The Lunzer See is not very far away, which is ideal for bathers and boaters, who prefer emerald green waters to hiking routes. But: Water lovers should also take the opportunity to walk around the lake. A trip to Gaming is not to be missed, because there you can see the region’s stalactite cave (Ötscher Tropfsteinhöhle) which boasts magnificent rock formations. The cave can only be visited as part of a guided tour. Tours are mainly in German, but tours in other languages can be booked on request.
Göstling an der Ybbs: High above and way down low
One of our favourite huts in Göstling is the ÖTK Schutzhaus Hochkar, where a cosy place to sleep and the very best culinary delicacies await you. Our tip: Hiking in the vicinity of the house is more thrilling than the ascent. Save your energy for a march to the Hochkar summit, with a detour to the 360° Skytour Hochkar, a stunning viewing platform with a suspension brige, or discover the fantastic moorland of Hochmoor Leckermoos.
If you prefer to set up camp in the valley, we are very fond of the 4* Hotel Hotel Fahrnberger in Lassing. Located at the foot of the Hockar, this 700-year-old inn impresses with its unique hut-style spa area, which offers fabulous massages and Ayurveda treatments. In Mendlingtal, which is not far from the hotel, you will find the Erlebniswelt Mendlintal experience, which as the oldest timber rafting area in central Europe, is certainly worth a visit.
Once in Göstling, our favourite place to stay is the 4* Gasthof Mandl-Scheiblechner. The welcoming family business never fails to impress us with its wonderful fish and game dishes, before we go to bed so that we can recharge our batteries for the next day.