Attractions and Places To See around Grafenbach-St. Valentin - Top 20

I stopped by again today and enjoyed my lunch on the bench in front of the hut.

The Marientritt is a bowl-shaped depression in the rock of the Johannesbach Gorge, created by millennia of water erosion. Such depressions are also called "mills" or "kolke" (coals) – they are silent witnesses to the geological past and the power of the Johannesbach stream. The name "Marientritt" goes back to a local legend: According to legend, the Virgin Mary left her footprint in the stone here. A small plaque on site tells the story and invites you to pause and reflect. A quiet, mystical place in the middle of the wild gorge – easy to miss, but definitely worth a look!

The Johannesbach Gorge, approximately 1 km long and up to 60 m deep, on the western edge of Würflach is a true natural gem and a popular destination – especially on hot summer days. The well-maintained trail, with numerous wooden walkways, steps, and bridges, leads through a wildly romantic gorge carved into the Wetterstein limestone by the Johannesbach stream over millennia. Along the way, you'll discover deep potholes, bowl-shaped depressions ("mills"), and, with a little attention, geological features such as the "Marientritt" (Marientritt). Two small caves – the Johannesbach Gorge Cave and the Klammwirt Cave – complete the experience. With a walk time of approximately 30 minutes, the gorge is also ideal for families with children. Those who like can dip their feet in the cool water or stop off at the Klammwirtin restaurant. The gorge is particularly atmospheric during the Advent market, when Austria's largest decorated Christmas tree is illuminated. If you want more, you can combine the gorge with hikes to the Schrattenstein castle ruins, along the Andreassteig or towards Grünbach.

The Pottschacher Hut is a cozy place to stop off, away from the crowded tours in the Rax/Schneeberg area. Here, hikers and mountain bikers can expect not only a friendly atmosphere, but also excellent food. Dishes such as Mostbratl, lentils with bacon and Kasnockn are generously served and taste simply excellent. The hut hosts are very accommodating and help to make the stay an unforgettable experience. With a great view and an inviting environment, the hut is the perfect place to relax after a hike and enjoy the regional cuisine.

The hut will reopen its doors at the end of March 2025 after the winter closure.

The Waldburgangerhütte is a cozy place to stop off in the middle of nature. Surrounded by idyllic forests, it invites hikers and cyclists to take a well-deserved break. Here you can enjoy regional specialties in a relaxed atmosphere and take in the tranquility of the surroundings. A perfect stop for a rest on the tour!

a real highlight of a hut. Maria and her sister run the house, where her father grew up as a mountain farmer's boy and went down to school and back up again every day. We were a group of over 50 people and were allowed to arrive one day before the official opening of the autumn season, if we helped in the kitchen and service, which we did happily and energetically :-). You must try the baked dessert, a hit that you can't get anywhere else. At the end we yodeled with the two host sisters - together with members of the group who can sing. Wonderful as a break after the steep climb from Payerbach on the way to the Haller-Haus (Knofelebenhütte), because after that it's just a flat walk across the alpine plateau to the Hallerhaus.

Gut Gasteil, Prigglitz