Where the hiking trails are the destination

Cool summit experiences and chilly mountain lakes – Tips for trips together with the whole family to the Hochkar and the Ybbstaler Alps.

The Ybbstaler Alps in the beautiful Mostviertel perfectly unite the mild and wild sides of the region. Here you can go on family hikes or gather fresh energy during a day on Lake Lunz. No matter what you and your loved ones are looking for: You will find it in the Ybbstaler Alps.

360 degree all-round programme:
The best hiking and excursion tips for children. 

The Ybbstal Alps are a natural beauty. So get into your hiking boots and out into the Mendlingtal adventure world near Göstling an der Ybbs. At “Am Holzweg“, you are in exactly the right place to explore the last fully functional wooden drifting facility in Central Europe. You can marvel at the power of the water on 3.5 kilometres on wooden bridges and trails. Amazement is an understatement here. A hike through the protected Hochmoor Leckermoosis equally impressive. A completely different world can be experienced here, the moor nature trail conveys the fascinating ecosystem of rare animal and plant species in a way that is suitable for children. One holiday is not enough for the wonderful and highly remarkable Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park. Therefore our tips for families: Be sure to visit the Ötscher stalactite cave with its incredible rock formations and explore the nature park with a nature guide. If you want to hike even further, we also recommend the Eulenweg (Owl Path) in the Dürrenstein Wilderness Area with 8 interactive stations.

The perfect alternative to a hiking day? A bathing day! The best place to refresh yourself is the crystal-clear waters of Lake Lunz, the only natural lake in Lower Austria. In the Hollenstein Lido, a historic bathing area from the early 20th century in an idyllic location with a large lawn and beach area, you can explore the Ybbs in pig troughs. Bathing fun is also waiting for you in the Ybbstaler salt-water pool, where you can splash outside and inside in the cool or warm water. Slides make children's hearts beat faster, while adults enjoy the peace and quiet in the large sauna area.

If you want to go high, then Hochkar is the right place for you. Here you will find the 360° Skytour, a breathtaking viewing platform that can be reached on foot or by lift.

The Ybbstaler Alps also invite families to a mountain experience in winter. That is when the snow-covered pistes in the large Göstling-Hochkar and Lackenhof-Ötscher ski areas are open. The Maiszinken lift in Lunz am See, the Riesenlehen lift in St. Georgen/Reith and the Königsberg-Hollenstein ski area are more peaceful. These small, elegant ski areas are perfect for your first turns - or if you want to descend the slopes off the beaten track.

Wild wonders in the Ybbstaler Alps:
Tips for families when the weather is not so good.

The ideal rain protection? A guided tour of the Hochkarhöhle.. It was formed about 100,000 years ago in the Dachstein limestone of the Ötscherdecke. The Hochkarhöhle is one of the deepest caves in Lower Austria, with a shaft more than 600 metres long and a difference in height of 120 metres. The 5 Elements Museum in Göstling is of interest to young and old. Here you can discover the Mostviertler World of Toys on the 2nd floor. Adults in particular - not only in bad weather - enjoy a guided tour of Bruckner’s Bierwelt in Gaming followed by a beer tasting session for the adults and juice tasting for the young ones.

Our money-saving tip: Admission to the Bierwelt is free with the Wilde Wunder Card, which you can get for free if you stay overnight in one of more than 70 "Wilde-Wunder hosts" in the Mostviertler Bergwelt or in the Mariazeller Land. Free access is not limited to Bruckner's Bierwelt. With the Wilde Wunder Card you have free access to more than 50 excursion destinations in the alpine Mostviertel throughout your holiday.

New: The Haus der Wildnis (House of Wilderness) in Lunz am See opened in May 2021.

For animal lovers or lovers of sport:
Accommodation for families.

Anyone who has enjoyed a family holiday at Ferienhof Salcheck takes their luck back home with them. As you can make your own lucky charm here, which hopefully shows how effective it is during the farm quiz. If you like, you can help in the barn and feed the cows and calves - or pet the cute chickens, pygmy goats, a pig, rabbits or cats. Even a pony lives on the farm! Just around the corner is the Königsberg family ski area. Near the river swimming pool is the Ziegelau Biofarm, where many animals, go-carts and a treasure trail can also be found. Nobody can get bored at the JUFA Hochkar Sport Resort. Even when it rains, there is a sports hall, table tennis, games room, bowling alley, children's cinema and climbing wall. A separate slide brings young guests from the 1st floor to the ground floor and the 14-metre high Flying Fox zip line ensures a fantastic rush. Located in the middle of the Hochkar ski area, the ski run is directly in front of the house - and the toboggan slope directly behind.

Alpine cuisine and children's laughter:
Child-friendly inns and wine taverns.

On the Seeterrasse in Lunz am See, you can enjoy not only the wonderful scenery of the beautiful Lunz Lake, but also the best Mostviertler cuisine. At the Königsberg in Hollenstein an der Ybbs, the Gasthof Jagersberger has a particularly idyllic location. After eating, you can take a walk to and through the herbal adventure garden. Many hikers and mountain bikers also like to take a break here. And anyone travelling the Leckermoos high moor near Göstling an der Ybbs should definitely take a look at the Jausenstation Ablass (snack bar). Here the children can let off steam in the large playground, pet the farm animals or take a look at the farm's own museum. And if you don't want to leave here at the end of the day, just stay overnight.