Discover Klaus an der Pyhrnbahn

Klaus an der Pyhrnbahn combines striking mountain scenery with cultural attractions, water-based activities and varied cycle paths. The municipality is entirely mountainous in character and lies on the orographically left bank of the Steyr River. It is located at the entrance to the Pyhrn-Priel region; the localities of Steyrling and Kniewas belong to Klaus. This means you will find various starting points for a trip here: historical discoveries, active days on the water and quieter activities with the family.

Landscape, town centre and planning the right trip

Klaus an der Pyhrnbahn railway station is located directly in the town centre. If you are considering travelling by train, you can take this central point of reference into account when looking for a holiday apartment or other accommodation. The experiences you want to focus on are also decisive when choosing your holiday location: Klaus offers both established cultural sites and excursions to the reservoir, as well as routes for cyclists.

The Kremstal Cycle Path R10, “The Legendary Cycle Path”, begins or ends in Klaus an der Pyhrnbahn and is 63 kilometres long. In addition, the Klaus section of the Steyrtal Cycle Path R8 and the Kalkalpen National Park Cycle Path R31 runs mostly close to the elongated Klaus reservoir. The Untergrünburg–Klaus section of the Steyrtal Cycle Path R8 follows almost exactly the route of the Steyrtal Railway. If you enjoy choosing between a longer cycle tour and a route with a historical railway connection when planning your trip, this gives you various thematic options.

Castle, churches and musical tradition

Klaus Castle is a protected historic monument under the Austrian Federal Monuments Authority. The original castle was probably built before the 12th century. It was likely used to observe, guard and control the area extending to the Pyhrn Pass. A hiking trail leads to Klaus Castle, continues to the mountain church in Klaus and returns to the starting point via the Hofwiese. This route is suitable for anyone who wants to combine historical buildings with a hike during their time in Klaus without limiting their stay to a single theme.

The mountain church in Klaus was built as a Protestant parish church between 1616 and 1618 and consecrated as a Catholic parish church in 1674. In Steyrling stands the Church of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, a neo-Gothic church with statues by Josef and Johann Rint from Bohemia. The foundation stone for this church was laid in 1854; it was consecrated in 1863. Anyone interested in ecclesiastical architecture, regional history and artistic details can include both churches in their travel plans as distinct cultural highlights.

The more recent cultural history is also part of the townscape. The former engine shed in Klaus was a locomotive repair workshop, was restored for the 1998 provincial exhibition and is now used by the municipality as a cultural centre and concert hall. Six concerts are held at the Lokschuppm Klaus every year. The “Musik Sommer Klaus” has taken place annually since 1967 and gives the municipality an additional strong musical tradition.

Reservoir, swimming pond and activities with children

Trips on an electric boat are offered on the Klaus reservoir. There is also an approximately two-hour round trip on the floating mountain hut, travelling through wildly romantic gorges and along steep conglomerate walls through a canyon-like river landscape. The approximate duration should be taken into account when planning your day if you want to combine such a trip with other activities.

The Steyrling swimming pond is a bathing facility in the middle of the forest. It has a swimming area, a children’s play area and a sunbathing lawn with both sunny and naturally shaded sections. In winter, if it is operating, there are two natural ice rinks with floodlights. Depending on the season, this allows you to focus on different activities: swimming and relaxing in the sun in summer, or ice skating in winter subject to the stated operating condition. For families, this change between water, play and exercise can be a helpful consideration when choosing a holiday apartment in Klaus an der Pyhrnbahn.

Accommodation in Klaus provides a starting point for combining culture and landscape at your own pace. You can devote one day to the castle, churches and musical history, choose a cycle route by the reservoir the next day, or plan a boat trip and a visit to the swimming pond. What matters is less having a fixed programme than deciding whether you are mainly looking for historical impressions, cycling experiences, water activities or a mixture of these during your holiday.

More places to consider

For further orientation, you can also take a look at Wartberg an der Krems, Molln, Windischgarsten, Haselböckau, Micheldorf in Upper Austria, St. Pankraz, Steinbach am Ziehberg and Steinbach an der Steyr.

For the higher-level travel overview: Kirchdorf an der Krems.