Hiking The Stunning Erlauf Gorge in Lower Austria
Just a 30-minute drive from my home is one of Lower Austria’s most beautiful natural spots: the Erlauf Gorge in Purgstall.
The gorge is shaped by the Erlauf river, which is famous for its crystal-clear, turquoise waters and rocky cliffs. It has been a natural monument since 1972 because of its unique landscape features.
I had visited this place a couple of years ago, but back then, the water wasn’t beautiful because of the heavy rain in the days before. Ever since, I’d been wanting to return and see the beauty everyone had been talking about.
Last weekend on a sunny Sunday morning, it was finally time and I went on a short hike along the Erlauf Gorge with my partner.
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Getting There + Parking
Reaching the Erlauf Gorge is quite easy. It was just a short drive from my home in Lower Austria, but you can also reach it easily from bigger cities.
From St. Pölten
- By car: about 45 minutes via A1 → B25
- By train: REX/regional train to Pöchlarn → change to Erlauftalbahn (R/R57) to Purgstall → total travel time about 1 hour
From Vienna
- By car: about 1 hour 30 minutes via A1 → B25
- By train: Railjet (RJ/RJX) or Regionalexpress (REX) to St. Pölten → continue with REX/regional train to Pöchlarn → change to Erlauftalbahn (R/R57) to Purgstall → total travel time about 1 h 50 min
It’s only a 15-minute walk from Purgstall train station to the entrance of the Erlauf Gorge.
Parking is conveniently located next to the main entrance, adjacent to the bowling center. Parking fees are as follows:
- 1 hour: €2
- 2 hours: €3.50
- 3 hours: €5
- Entire day: €6.50
We weren’t sure how long the hike would take, so we bought a full-day ticket. When we arrived at 8 am, the parking lot was almost empty with just one other car.
You need to get your parking ticket right when you arrive, before starting the hike.
In general, the Erlauf Gorge is open 24 hours, and there is no entrance fee.
Along The Erlauf Gorge
Before starting the hike, you can check the information board at the main entrance for details about the Erlauf Gorge and the different trails.
The plan was to hike the Fischersteig trail along the river, cross the Pratersteg bridge to the right side, and then switch back to the other side using the “Brücke der Liebe” bridge – basically following most of Route 1 on the sign.
Fischersteig Trail
We followed the sign to the right and soon reached a metal staircase leading down to the Fischersteig trail, the narrow path running right along the river.
The trail stretches about 1.5 km to the Pratersteg bridge, with lovely waterside spots along the way. Good shoes are needed, though, as the path is uneven.
We had planned to walk it all the way to the bridge, but after just a few meters, we reached a barrier: recent thunderstorms had brought down trees and debris, blocking the way.
So we turned back and climbed the stairs again to follow the Praterweg towards the Pratersteg bridge.
Praterweg Trail & Pratersteg
Although the Praterweg doesn’t offer the same dramatic views as the Fischersteig trail, since it runs several meters above the river, it’s still a beautiful path to walk.
Along the way, you’ll see wooden signs with facts about local birds and mammals, as well as little shelters for mice, hedgehogs, and squirrels.
About halfway to the Pratersteg bridge, you’ll come across the Herzerlbank bench and the “Bridge of Love,” decorated with countless locks engraved with names.
You can cross the bridge and continue on the right side of the river, but we chose to stay on this side all the way to the Pratersteg bridge.
What I didn’t know before is that along the Praterweg, several side trails lead down to the Fischersteig, so you still have a few chances to get closer to the water!
After about two kilometers, we arrived at the beautiful Pratersteg bridge, a charming covered bridge spanning the Erlauf.
We spent a while enjoying the view from the bridge before continuing along the other side of the river.
While I prefer the left side of the river, the right side has a spot where you can reach a small pebbled beach (we saw an otter there!) and a fantastic viewing platform that rises above the water.
We walked until we reached the “Brücke der Liebe” bridge, crossed it, and then continued back along the left side to the parking lot.
Alternatively, you can keep following the path to complete the full Route 1 Praterweg circular route.
Last Words & Tips
The full Praterweg circular route is about 3.8 km and usually takes around an hour. We spent two hours at the Erlauf Gorge, taking breaks, snapping photos, and enjoying the scenery.
If you’re up for a longer hike, you can try Route 2 (6.6 km) or Route 3 (14 km), which lead away from the river and let you explore more of Purgstall and the surrounding area.
While the Praterweg is a wide, mostly even path and easy to follow, the Fischersteig trail requires caution and good shoes.
Overall, I’d say the Erlauf Gorge is doable for everyone, but try to get here early. We arrived around 8:00 am and the parking lot was almost empty, but by 10:00 am when we left, it was full.
Especially on sunny days and weekends, it can get really busy!
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