Hiking to Dürrenstein

Non-slip (mountain/hiking boots), change of clothes, rain jacket, cap, provisions. 

The hike, mostly on a wide path, starts at the parking lot in Steinbachtal, which is 4 km from the B25. An information board of the Dürrenstein wilderness area invites a short stop before you follow the forest road past the idyllic Fischteich. After 500 m, the marked ascent path turns right off the forest road and leads over a distance of 3 km and 350 meters elevation gain through the alpine forest to the Dürrreck hunting hut. This hut is located halfway to the Ybbstal hut and is ideal for a short rest in the shade.
Opposite the hunting hut, the marked hiking trail continues and after a few bends you reach a small spring (not always running water). After about one kilometer, the path forks right in front of a high stand. To the right, the wide path continues, marked with red-white-red painted stones (to the left runs the old narrow hiking trail, which is also marked). After a bend, you reach a forest road, which you follow for 600 m on the left (yellow arrow left towards Ybbstal hut, Dürrenstein | the forest road that leads uphill to the right here is the winter path for ski tourers) before you turn right again at the Bärenlacke onto the old supply path and overcome the last significant 150 meters elevation through the so-called Höhl to the alpine gate.
Nowadays, looking down from the narrow path, it is hard to imagine that in the late 1980s tractors and Pinzgauer vehicles transported the material for the hut's reconstruction over this path.
After the alpine gate, keep left and you can walk the last 700 m on the forest road or on the marked hiking trail to the hut.

From the Ybbstal hut, the marked path begins that leads after about 1.5 km to the Legsteinalm. Passing the mountain rescue hut, you come to the Legstein spring. Refreshed with wonderful fresh water, continue on the marked path. Through dwarf pines and over meadow areas, the path ascends gently in a zigzag. En route, you can explore the fascinating effects of karst formations and enjoy the wonderful views of the surrounding mountains. About 2.5 km further at a fork, follow the right marking towards the summit. Finally, you reach the summit of Dürrenstein (1878 m) with its intricate Töpper cross.

Coming from Linz: A1 exit Oed - direction Aschbach Markt - continue on B121 to Waidhofen - in Waidhofen/Ybbs take B31 towards Göstling/Ybbs

Coming from Vienna: A1 exit Ybbs/Donau - direction Eisenstraße - follow B25 to Göstling/Ybbs

Turn off B25 at Kögerlwirt into Steinbachtal and follow the road about 4 km upstream to the Fischteich parking lot.

Inform yourself in advance about Austria's last primeval forest and the Dürrenstein wilderness area. www.wildnisgebiet.at