On the trail of the Iron Road

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 74,68 km
Duration: 5:00 h
Ascent: 996 m elevation gain
Descent: 994 m elevation gain

The tour along the Lower Austrian Iron Road connects the gently rolling countryside with the wild alpine world of the Ybbstal Alps. Cycle through history, enjoy nature.

Starting point of the tour: Göstling, town center
Tour destination: Göstling, town center

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 74,68 km
Duration: 5:00 h
Ascent: 996 m elevation gain
Descent: 994 m elevation gain

Fitness level required:
4/6
Overall experience:
6/6
Scenery:
6/6

Lowest point402 m
Highest point754 m

Round tour
With refreshment stops
Accessibility by train and bus

Downloads

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(GPX)

Description

Follow the Ybbstal cycle path to St. Georgen am Reith and then turn right towards Ybbsitz. Via the large and small Kripp you reach the high valley of Prolling, from where the route descends gently to Ybbsitz, one of the main towns on the Iron Road.

Past the cute Maria Seesal, with little traffic on the small Ybbs Valley cycle path through the Zogels and Wiesergraben, you later reach the small Erlauf Valley cycle path and follow this via Brettl towards Gaming, where a highlight awaits with the Charterhouse.

Via Pfaffenschlag, you continue along the Erlauftal cycle path towards Lunz, which you leave to the left at the start of the town and cycle through the picturesque Ahorn and Sulzbach valleys surrounded by beautiful nature. At the Töpperbrücke bridge you come back into the Ybbstal valley and the last few kilometers lead downstream along the Ybbstal cycle path back to Göstling.

The route is NOT SIGNED as such!!!

safety instructions Caution on the descent from Große Kripp towards Opponitz: good asphalt, steep gradient and thus higher speed possible. At the end of the fastest section a hairpin bend. Equally steep gradient immediately before the town start of Ybbsitz (14% over 600 m).
Equipment Well-maintained (trekking) bike, helmet, provisions, small change
Route description Along the Ybbstal cycle path to St. Georgen and from there right up to the Große Kripp, a climb over 3 km with a maximum of 12%. A short but steep descent (max. 16%) with two hairpin bends follows, and a 500 m long counter-climb (max. 8%) to the Kleine Kripp. Through the high valley Prolling it tends to go slightly downhill with a few small counterwaves and the last 2 km show a maximum gradient of 14% over 600 m. In Ybbsitz through the town and briefly follow the main street towards Gresten, then after 3 km turn right towards Zogelsgraben. First flat, later slightly ascending with max. 6%, it goes about 5 km to the crest, followed by a descent with max. 7% gradient and two hairpin bends at the beginning. Arriving in the small Erlauftal, turn right towards Gaming, initially a 3 km moderately ascending (3%) section to Brettl, followed by a moderately steep descent (4%) to the junction with the large Erlauftal cycle path. Follow this to the right after Gaming, past the Charterhouse and on towards Pfaffenschlag, a 5 km long climb with max. 8% gradient in the last kilometer. Parallel to the nostalgia railway it goes slightly downhill again towards Lunz, where shortly before the town sign you turn right towards the Ahor and Sulzbachtal. Follow the trekking route to the Topper bridge in Kasten near Lunz and from there right onto the Ybbstal cycle path and the last kilometers downstream back to Göstling.
Parking Göstling town center on the Ybbs
Getting there Motorway exit Ybbs - Erlauftal federal road B25 to Göstling or B31 Ybbstal federal road
Public transport With rental bike: VOR bus line to/from Göstling. Bike rental Sportwerk in Göstling/YbbsWith own bike: bike tramper or bike taxi to/from Waidhofen/Ybbs or Göstling
Editor’s tip A visit to Ferrum - World of Iron, THE museum of smithing craft in Ybbsitz, perfectly completes the tour!

Tourism IG Ybbstaler Alps

Göstling 46/2, 3345 Göstling/Ybbs

www.ybbstaler-alpen.at

info@ybbstaler-alpen.at

43-5-93049

Letzte Änderung: 16 Mar 2026