Ysper Valley | Ysper Gorge and Spa Near Wachau Valley

At a distance of 40 kilometers from the famous Melk Abbey in the Wachau Valley, there is a wonderful area for enjoying nature! This area is called the Ysper Gorge (Ysperklamm). The great Ysper River flows strongly through the Weinsberg Forest and along an impressive two-kilometer-long canyon. It is a place that combines mighty rock formations, clear waterfalls, and bright green vegetation. The Ysper Gorge is the largest, and undoubtedly the most impressive, in all of Lower Austria.

If you are visiting the Melk and Wachau Valley area for more than one day, you can combine your trip to this charming region with a visit to a wonderful nature site, the Ysperklamm natural gorge, and a relaxing time at the nearby Hallenbad Yspertal spa.

Ysper Gorge – Enjoyable Nature Hikes

The Ysper Gorge is considered the most beautiful and largest gorge in the state of Lower Austria. The hiking trails in the Ysperklamm are well-maintained, signposted, and kept up just as the Austrians like them. They have bridges, stairs where necessary, and railings along the paths. The trails are suitable for the whole family, and you can walk them with children.

Walk uphill along the gorge and you can enjoy numerous waterfalls, small water pools for refreshment, and also the remains of an ancient settlement that was in this area. You can make your way down on the same trail you came up or return on another path, which is just as beautiful.

A view of the Ysper Gorge:

Recommended Hiking Trails in the Ysper Gorge:

Trail Number 32:

This is the trail up the canyon. Walk at your leisure among the giant rock formations, forest trees, and waterfalls. The height difference between the starting point and the finishing point at the top of the canyon is 300 meters; you will start the trail at an altitude of 551 meters and finish it at the upper part of the canyon at an altitude of 820 meters.

Along this route, there are several ancient sites related to a Celtic settlement that was in the area. You will also have to cross bridges and climb stairs as part of the trail. The route is circular, and at the end, you will return to the restaurant at the entrance.

Starting point: Forellenhof Restaurant (recommended for lunch after the hike)
Trail length (round trip): 4 kilometers
Hiking duration: 1.5-2 hours

The Druids’ Trail (Celtic Priests):

This trail has two variations, trail 31 and another trail 31. The trails start at different points, meet at a place called Kaltenberg, and then split again. It is important to pay attention to the trail markings because these are trails that end in different places.

Trail Number 31 (First Variation):

This trail starts at the same place as trail number 32 mentioned earlier. The trail begins at the Forellenhof restaurant at the entrance to the Ysper Gorge. At the beginning, it is identical to trail 32 until you reach the top of the gorge. At this point, you can either turn back or continue straight towards Gutenbrunn and then, after 250 meters, turn right. In this section, you can see several special rock formations like “Phallus” and “Vulva” and enjoy an impressive view of the entire Ysper Valley (Yspertal). Afterwards, you will continue to the special rock formations “The Sitting Dog,” “The Sphinx,” “The Great Bowl,” and more. All of these are ancient remnants of the Druid settlement in the area. From there, you will continue to the Kaltenbergkreuz, from which you can get a view of the entire region. After a short walk downhill, you will reach a crossroads and can turn back to the starting point.

Starting point: Forellenhof Restaurant (recommended for lunch after the hike)
Trail length (round trip): 10 kilometers
Hiking duration: 4 hours

Trail Number 31 (Second Variation):

This is a more challenging route that starts from a point south of the Ysper Gorge in the village of Stangles. Initially, you walk towards Pisching. On the way, you will pass a small water station and a church. From there, a steep ascent begins, which also requires climbing ladders. At the end, you will reach the Kaltenbergkreuz and can enjoy the view from there. Afterwards, you will walk past the special rocks that serve as evidence of the ancient Druid settlement: “The Sitting Dog,” “The Sphinx,” “The Great Bowl,” and more. After this section, you will walk downhill through the forest to Siebendürfting and from there back to the starting point. Most of the trail will be in the forest, but part of it will be along a small road.

Starting point: Peilsteinblick Restaurant in the village of Stangles
Trail length (round trip): 10 kilometers
Hiking duration: 3.5 hours

Additional Essential Information for Visiting the Gorge

Operating Times: The trail is open all year round. The ticket office opens around 9:00 AM, but there is a ticket machine for those who arrive when the office is closed.
Entrance Fee:
- Adult – €5
- Child (6-15) – €3.50
- Child under 6 – Free
Official Website
Address: Klammstraße, Yspertal

How to get to the Ysper Gorge?

The best way to get to the canyon is by car. There are parking lots for cars near the trailheads. The distance from Vienna is 115 kilometers and from Melk 40 kilometers.

Map:

Hallenbad Yspertal – The Hallenbad Spa

A spa complex with a heated pool of 32 degrees, saunas, and massages. There are also activities for children, including a water slide and a toddler pool. It is located a 10-minute drive from the Ysper Gorge.