Saxen: Hiking Trails, Culture and the Klamschlucht Gorge

Saxen offers many different reasons to plan a trip: trails lead through the Lettental valley or across the Machland plain, the Klamschlucht Gorge combines a hike with a waterfall, and museums and historic buildings tell stories of milling technology, architecture and August Strindberg. These interests can help you decide which holiday apartment to choose in Saxen. First consider whether you would like to explore the outdoors, discover cultural history, or combine both.

Compare routes and landscapes

The routes described differ in both length and course. The S1 Reitsteig trail runs from the centre of Saxen about 7.2 kilometres uphill to Reitberg. The S2 Lettenweg trail is approximately 7.5 kilometres long: it also begins in the centre, follows the Saxner Bach stream and passes through the Lettental valley. The S6 Machlandweg trail is also listed as approximately 7.5 kilometres long. Its route passes through Eizendorf, follows the old Naarn river and returns to Saxen via Saxendorf. These approximate lengths make it possible to compare the routes without indicating walking times or difficulty.

If you would like to include a longer walk in your plans, the S7 Höhenwanderweg trail offers a route of about 9 kilometres. From there, views extend across the entire Machland plain to the foothills of the Alps. On the S3 Waldhexrundweg trail, you can choose between a shorter and a longer option; no specific distance is given. This lets you base your choice on the desired distance and the landscape you would like to experience, rather than treating all the trails as equivalent outings.

Klamschlucht Gorge: trail, rocky landscape and waterfall

The hike through the Klamschlucht Gorge begins in Saxen at the Sturmmühle Cultural Centre and climbs to Clam Castle. After descending from the viewing platform, a wooden footbridge takes you to the waterfall. The Klamschlucht Gorge itself is about two kilometres long. It begins below Clam Castle in Klam and ends in the village of Au, west of Saxen, at Hintermühle, where the Machland plain begins. Its damp, shady microclimate encourages lush vegetation.

The Leonstein, a natural monument, is another distinct natural feature of Saxen. Its name refers to the striking nose-like shape of the rock formation, which is reminiscent of Pope Leo II. The wet meadows around Saxen are a habitat for storks. The history of a nest on the roof of the primary school dates back to 1964. These natural and landscape features offer a different perspective on the area than route lengths alone.

Strindberg, the church and the history of milling

The Strindberg Museum Saxen is dedicated to the Swedish playwright August Strindberg’s stays in Saxen and Klam between 1893 and 1896, and to the works he created during that time. It is the only museum outside Sweden dedicated to August Strindberg. Dornach Castle is also connected to his story: August Strindberg and his then wife, Frida Strindberg-Uhl, lived there temporarily in 1893. The castle in Saxen is Neo-Baroque; its features include an octagonal tower topped with battlements and Neo-Renaissance or Neo-Baroque stucco ceilings.

Saxen Parish Church offers another way to explore architectural history. It is a two-nave Gothic hall church with a Romanesque core, dedicated to Saint Stephen. The interior also features a Rococo pulpit. Those interested in periods and architectural styles will find different features in two distinct buildings: Gothic and Romanesque elements in the church, and Neo-Baroque architecture and Neo-Renaissance or Neo-Baroque stucco ceilings in the castle.

The Mill Museum at the Sturmmühle Inn features a wooden mill on four floors that is practically fully operational and offers insights into grain processing. The museum can be visited independently. Another side of the Sturmmühle is the Mühlenstüberl, which serves regional specialities and homemade pastries. Saxen’s cultural offering thus includes not only literature and architecture, but also grain processing and regional food.

Shape your stay around your interests

The approximate route lengths, the shorter or longer S3 option, and the specific cultural themes offer different points of reference. If you would like to combine both, you can include nature and cultural experiences in your travel plans without assuming that your accommodation has any particular amenities. Which holiday apartment in Saxen suits your plans depends on which of these interests shapes your trip.

Discover more destinations: Wansch, Klam, Henndorf, Baumgartenberg, Langenstein, Schwertberg, Bad Kreuzen, Arbing.

See the main travel overview: Perg.