Stage 06 - Earth: SEVEN ELEMENTS - the Path

The sixth stage from Palfau to Gams connects the element of earth with the process of connecting. The question “Which moments in nature ground and strengthen me?” invites us to find stability and strength while traveling. The Bible quote “Speak to the earth, and it will teach you” (Job 12:8) reminds us how much nature can show us. Crossing the Salza, in the forests, on alpine meadows, or in the Nothklamm gorge, there are many opportunities to find peace and consciously perceive the connection to nature.

This project is supported by the Interreg Danube Region Program, co-financed by the European Union.

At the beginning of this stage, we get to know the Salza Valley and arrive directly at the bed of the emerald green Salza, one of the last unspoiled wild rivers in Central Europe. The trail climbs through the densely wooded area of the Akogel to a rest area with a view before descending via the Reiteralm to the Nothklamm gorge. The 700-meter-long gorge with wooden walkways, fossil stations, and rushing water is an impressive natural monument. Above the gorge, we continue hiking on wide paths, pass the entrance to the Kraushöhle cave—Europe's only show cave with gypsum crystals—and finally reach the idyllic GeoDorf Gams.

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

The tour in numbers

medium

Level of difficulty

15,1 km

Route

5:30 h

Time

690 hm

Uphill

750 hm

Downhill

1020 m

Highest point

Map & downloads

Download GPX data

Download KML data

More information

Coming from Linz, take the A7 to the Linz junction, then the A1 to Enns West, continue on the B309 to Niedergleink, the 122a to Kleinraming and continue on the B115 to Großreifling, then take the Stauwerkstraße to Palfau.

Coming from St. Pölten, take the Westautobahn A1 to the Amstetten exit, then take the B121 to Weyer and continue on the B115 to Großreifling, then take the Stauwerkstraße to Palfau.

Coming from Graz, take the A9 to Traboch, then take the B115 to Großreifling and continue on the L25 to Palfau.

Coming from Liezen, take the B146 and B117 to St. Gallen and continue on the L705 to Großreifling, then take the Stauwerkstraße to Palfau.

Start:
Parish church in Palfau
2.4 km Salzasteg
3.5 km Start of hiking trail
6.8 km Akogelbauer
7.7 km Viewpoint
9.7 km Reiteralm
13.0 km Nothklamm
15.1 km Parish church in Gams

The Kraushöhle cave in Gams is well worth a visit: as Austria's oldest show cave and the largest gypsum cave in the German-speaking world, it impresses visitors with countless sparkling gypsum crystals and stalactites.

geodorf.com/ausflugsziel/kraushoehle-gams

For more information on train and bus connections, visit www.verbundlinie.at and www.oebb.at

With the Verbundlinie BusBahnBim app, finding timetable information has never been easier: all bus, train, and tram connections in Austria can be searched for by entering locations and/or addresses, stops, or important points. The app is available as a free app for smartphones (Android, iOS) – on Google Play and in the App Store.

In the Gesäuse, you can get around in summer even without your own car. Just call +43 3613 2100099: during operating hours, the Gesäuse shared taxi will take you to any destination in the Gesäuse – no timetable or stops required. Www.gesaeuse.at/mobil

Several parking spaces in Gams

Gesäuse Tourist Association
Hauptstraße 35, 8911 Admont, Austria
t: +43 3613 211 60 10
info@gesaeuse.at
www.gesaeuse.at

Places to eat and shop in Gams

Kirchenwirt, Tel.: +43 676 9335 170, 8922 Landl, Gams 150, www.geodorf.com
ADEG-Markt, Tel.: +43 3637 354, 8922 Landl, Gams 100