Schladming Things to Do

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Hochwurzen gondola is situated in nearby Rohrmoos. The toll road up here is only open outside of the gondola operating hours. Up here you can take a guided go-kart ride downhill for fun. Another panoramaweg circumnavigates the top for lovely alpine views. Also start of longer hikes - e.g. ridge path to Ursprungalm. We intended to do this but there were so many other trips we wanted to do first - so something for another visit.

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The Planai gondola enables easy climbing to altitude of 1830m. At the top there are cosy huts serving refreshments. The start of mountain bike downhill trails - it ws great fun watching them as we glided up in the gondola. There are adventure parks for kids and of course severail waling trails. An easy panoramaweg circles the top, plus a shorrt climb up to the actual summit. Other routes link Planai with neighbouring Gondola in Haus (up and down and up walk regardless of which way undertaken). A toll road is open all day so cars can reach here as well but whichever way you travel up and down take time to enjoy the vies of the Dachstein opposite.

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Haus im Ennstal is a very pretty village just a few kilometres down the road from Schladming. The 8 seater gondola station is towards the back of the village (not where the post bus goes!) Bit of a steep hill to climb but on the way I just stopped to enjoy the historic building and church. Lovely views at top and again many hikes can be taken from here or simply enjoy a stroll and a strudel/cake at one of the restaurants with a view across to the Dachstein mountains. Gondola is covered on the Schladming summer pass.

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The day after the rain there was a dusting of snow on the mountain peaks and the air was crisp and fresh. We took the hiking bus down the Obertal valley and climbed up the forest track to the Duisitzkarsee Hut at 1,680 metres. Bit of a slog up the track, and the very last part is very steep but once there by the lake the views are stunning and the snow dusting on the peaks around the charming little hamlet made it extra special. We just enjoyed some lunch up here at the hut and then our way back down the same way.

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It takes about an hour's climb from Ursprungalm to reach the Giglachsee and its hut. This was originally our first idea to walk up here and meander around the lake and back down to the alm. However the scenery was so beautiful and the weather so clear we decided to follow another path to the Ignaz-Mattis lodge, an old mining area and finally a long descent to Hopfriesen in the neighbouring Obertal Valley. A full days hike really with wonderful scenery, good hut food and a welcome bus back to Schladming. Indeed a great hike to finish our stay in this area.

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Ursprungalm lies at an altitude of 1610m at the foot of Styrian Kalkspitze. We arrived here with the hiking bus - an amazing journey itself as it follows the river along the valley floor and then loops up in never ending switchbacks to the alm - most interesting when a herd of long haired cattle were being shepherded down the same narrow road!

The alm itself is dotted with hamlets and huts where food and lodgings can be obtained. An easy panoramaweg circuits its bowl like plateau but its also the starting point for many other hiking destinations such as the Giglachsee (about 1 hours climb) Please see next tip.

Adjacent to the roundabout near the bus station is Schladming's Brewery - brewers since 1909
Tours are available here from Mid June to Mid Sept every Thursday at 2.00pm. Tours last 90 mins.
We didn't have time for this but entrance is 6 euros and includes opportunity to sample the beer and snacks plus a souvenir. I did get to sample the beer at many of the huts in the area though and it was fine beer.

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The roundabout near the bus station in Scladming has an arty water fountain - Wilde Wasser - which looked great lit up at night by the way. This denoted the most popular themed water trail in the Schladming area.

You can walk along the Untertal Valley from the beginning or take the hiking bus to where the alpine trail Wild water opens up the Riesach Waterfall, the highest waterfall in Styria. This was our option to see the 140 meters water thundering down over 2 steps into Untertal. The Alpinsteig path climbs up moderately steeply through the woods at first and then come a series of ladders and platforms - quite an adventurous tiring trail but the views of the waterfalls are lovely and then there is a suspension bridge over the gorge! It took us about 2 hours to reach the alpine meadows above with a welcoming hut and beautiful Reisachsee lake. The walk can be extended to another higher hut ...but the day was hot and the food at the hut looked most welcoming.
We descended by an easier forest path zig-zagging back down to our starting point where we could wait at a hut for the bus back to Scladming.

The Untetal valley road is a toll road - covered on the summer pass for motorists.