Flötzersteig Tour (Circular Hiking World Hinterstoder)

On historical trails through the Stodertal valley - the Flötzersteig

The Flötzersteig trail leads along the fascinating Steyr river through the varied landscape of the Stodertal valley. Perfect for finding peace and recharging your batteries in the present day, the Flötzersteig tells of the hard and dangerous work of the so-called Flötzer, who transported timber across the river until 1950.

From the Steyr bridge in St. Pankraz to the impressive source of the Steyr, the Steyr-Ursprung, the trail runs along historic routes, past relics of the timber drift such as the Sperrhäusl or the old anchors for the barrier rakes. Impressive views of the Kleiner Priel, the Schiederweiher and the Tote Gebirge mountains open up time and again. A particular highlight is the Stromboding waterfall - now a place of power, which was once the key point for the Flötzers.

With a varied landscape, exciting insights into history and cosy rest stops, the Flötzersteig is a great hiking experience full of nature and history.

The Flötzersteig Hinterstoder was active in its original use until around 1950, until then water was the most important means of transporting timber from the Stodertal. For centuries, the wood was transported to the iron-processing plants in the Steyrtal and its surroundings by water power (forging). The Flötzer profession carried out this extremely dangerous work along the water.

Many sections of the Flötzersteig trail still follow the old paths of the Flötzer, which were built with great effort, skill and courage in those days.
 
The Flötzersteig trail in its current form starts at the Steyrbrücke bridge, directly on the B 138, in St. Pankraz. You can also easily get to this starting point from Hinterstoder railway station.

The first kilometre runs to the left of the Steyr on the Stodertaler Landesstraße. A huge stone in the middle of the river attracts attention shortly before the Sperrhäusl. If you look closely, you can even see the anchors in the stone, which were necessary in the past to fix the barrier rakes. These were used to collect the logs before the wood was bundled and transported onwards. At the Sperrhäusl, you cross the small bridge and reach the original path of the Flötzersteig.

The small path along the Steyr is charismatic and natural, with a few more natural and historical gems in store. The next small discovery is called "Pechhäusl". A small hut, which owes its name to the pitch distillery that used to be located there.
The route continues along the cosy and shady cart track, past the Godnhäusl near Reschen and, after a short climb, back down to the main road.

This offers impressive views of the northern and eastern flanks of the Kleiner Priel (2,136 m).
After the Flötzersteig crosses the Schrattentalerbrücke bridge, the trail continues along the left side of the Steyr on a shady gravel road.
The Flötzersteig soon passes the Eistererhütt'n and the Mundlhaus in the meadows of the Steyr and after a few minutes you can see the Stampfsteg with the Märchenrubbelstation of the Stodertaler Zwerge on the opposite side of the river. The path climbs briefly to the Karlbaueranger, reaches the Karlbauergut and turns into a gravel road again at the next farm, the Gütlergut.

Past the Dörrhütte and along the slope of the Kleiner Priel, you will once again find an idyllic path under shady beech and spruce trees. Soon you begin to hear the mighty roar of the Stromboding waterfall. You can see the force with which the water has "broken" through the rocks here over thousands of years. You can also get a good idea of what a "key point" this was for the rafters and what a physical challenge the Stromboding presented. It is worth pausing here.

The Flötzersteig climbs slightly and you soon reach the entrance to the chalk cave (the short detour is worthwhile), with the fairytale rubbing station of the Stodertal dwarves.
You cross the Schwarzbach stream, which can become a mighty and raging torrent during a thunderstorm, and reach the valley floor of the Stodertal valley.

Past the Kneipp facility and its "Stoderzeit organ clock", you reach the centre of Hinterstoder. The Alpineum is a really worthwhile stopover and provides an impressive insight into the history of the Stodertal valley, with the life of the "Flötzer" and lumberjacks, the emergence of skiing and the drama of the mountains.

Back on the Flötzersteig trail, the route leads across cosy meadows to the Schiederweiher landscape jewel, the most photographed motif in the Stodertal valley.
Impressive views of the Spitzmauer and the Großer Priel before continuing through the Klinserau towards the Dieltkapelle chapel. The Flötzersteig trail constantly offers sensational views of the mighty mountain backdrop of the Totes Gebirge that almost encircles you. Past the Dietlgut, into the ever-narrowing valley and with the rocks of the Scheiblingstein in view, you reach the Baumschlagerreith restaurant.

From here, it is only a few minutes to the impressive source of the River Steyr. The Steyr springs from many hundreds of holes and within a few metres is a remarkable little river.
Here you have made it: the entire length of the Flötzersteig trail with its historic sites and impressive natural spectacles has been walked. Sit down, dip your feet in the refreshing and revitalising water and enjoy the moment. You have truly earned it.