Via Aqua

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 76,13 km
Duration: 22:55 h
Ascent: 2094 m elevation gain
Descent: 2093 m elevation gain

From the Erlauf Gorge to the Treffling Falls - 75 km circular hike through the Erlauf Valley, the Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park and along the Iron Road.

Starting point of the tour: Erlaufschlucht Purgstall an der Erlauf
Tour destination: Erlaufschlucht Purgstall an der Erlauf

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 76,13 km
Duration: 22:55 h
Ascent: 2094 m elevation gain
Descent: 2093 m elevation gain

Fitness level required:
5/6
Overall experience:
5/6
Scenery:
6/6

Lowest point277 m
Highest point947 m

Round tour
Nice views
With refreshment stops
Accessibility by train and bus
Suitable for families and children

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Description

Water has always played a central role in people's lives. Water is vital in the truest sense of the word.

Places near water have always been preferred settlement locations, waterways still serve as transportation routes today and mills and hammer mills were once operated with the power of water.

The Via Aqua circular hiking trail, which is signposted throughout, takes you to the most beautiful water spots in the Erlauftal and Ötscherland in the middle of the Mostviertel. With many water-related encounters, panoramic viewpoints and interesting water knowledge stations along the way. At these 23 stations, hikers learn interesting and exciting facts about water. The drop-shaped boards provide information about highlights along the way as well as water rites in religion, water as a source of energy, the two water saints, water in music and water as a natural remedy.

Suggested stages:

Erlaufschlucht loop: 4 km
Purgstall - Freithöhe - Scheibbs: 14 km
Scheibbs - Neustift - Kienberg - Gaming: 15 km
Gaming - Trefflingfall - Hochbärneck: 20 km
Hochbärneck - St. Anton/Jeßnitz - Purgstall: 22 km

safety instructions The signage along the Via Aqua is currently being recorded, revised and improved. In some areas, it may therefore occur that the signs are not continuously present. Recommended companions are the NÖ app and the Via Aqua hiking map. We thank you for your understanding!
Equipment Sturdy footwear, rain protection if necessary
Route description The first highlight already awaits hikers in Purgstall an der Erlauf : the natural monument Erlaufschlucht, a wild romantic rocky landscape with bridges and viewing platforms over the Erlauf. The Via Aqua continues through the town of Purgstall, past the Fragner Fountain and to the old wash place at the Erlauf bridge. Then it goes up to one of the most beautiful viewing mountains, the Freithöhe at 653m above sea level.Next stop is the district capital Scheibbs with the city pier at the Erlauf harbor. Via Neustift the path leads through a forested ridge towards Kienberg to Gaming. A section of the path takes the Via Aqua on the GeBIERgsweg Gaming. At the Bierbrunnen, a rest area at the Weigl Pond invites you to a sip of beer from the two breweries in Gaming. Along the Erlauf you will discover the Steinmanderl, lovingly piled river rock formations - a highlight before reaching the guesthouse Schindlhütte.Through the Vorderen Tormäuer, the Via Aqua leads to the Eibenboden entrance of the Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park. Right on the creek bed of the here still narrow Erlauf lies the next highlight on the route, the Trefflingfall, the largest waterfall in Lower Austria.The ascent leads very close to the rushing water of the Trefflingbach into the adventure village Puchenstuben.Right through the nature park you reach the Hochbärneck Alm with alpine inn, lookout tower and herb garden. Then follows the descent into the town St. Anton an der Jeßnitz with the pilgrimage church, the Way of the Cross on Kalvarienberg, the Antonibründl and the Bruderlade Museum. At Neubruck, you cross the Lueger Aqueduct of the 2nd Viennese high spring water pipeline and can take a look at the restored and newly revived area of the Töpper castle Neubruck with pond and potter chapel. Via the Töpperweg you return to the town of Scheibbs with the jubilee fountain at the town hall square and the city pier on the Erlauf. Along the Erlauf, the Via Aqua leads along the bank of the Erlauf back to the starting point of the Via Aqua in Purgstall.
Parking Parking available at the entrance of the Erlaufschlucht (paid)Free parking available at the outdoor pool and at the Purgstall train station
Getting there Motorway A1 to Ybbs, continue on B25 towards Purgstall an der Erlauf
Public transport The places along the Via Aqua are well accessible by public transport.The Erlaufbahn runs from St. Pölten (direct connection) or from Pöchlarn hourly via Purgstall to the final station in Scheibbs.Mostviertel bus lines run in the Erlauf valley (stations e.g. in Scheibbs and Gaming), postal buses stop in Scheibbs and St. Anton/Jeßnitz. All information regarding connections and schedules at www.vor.at or www.oebb.at
Editor’s tip The route along the water offers numerous opportunities for a refreshing break with a jump into the cool water.

Recommended period

Natural monument Erlaufschlucht, www.erlaufschlucht.at

Trefflingfall, www.naturpark-oetscher.at

Purgstall an der Erlauf, www.purgstall-erlauf.gv.at

Scheibbs - the town on the river, www.scheibbs.gv.at

Gaming - the GeBIERgsdorf, www.gaming.gv.at

St. Anton an der Jeßnitz, www.st-anton-jessnitz.gv.at

Letzte Änderung: 16 Mar 2026