Flötzersteig (RundWanderWelt Hinterstoder)

At the riverbank of the Steyr, opposite the inn Steyrbrücke, directly on the bridge of the B 138, the Flötzersteig starts. You can also reach this starting point easily from Hinterstoder station. The Flötzersteig goes under the bridge and along the right bank of the Steyr, along the slope of the Tamberg. A huge stone in the middle of the river, just before the Sperrhäusl, draws attention, and you can still see the anchors of the barrier rake on it. This was used back then to collect the logs again, and then the rake was opened, and the wood was floated further downstream. At the Sperrhäusl, the Flötzersteig leads upwards over some steps and then continues flat to the Pechhäusl (former pitch distillery). Right after the Pechhäusl is a small water ditch with small pools, and now you stroll comfortably and pleasantly shaded along the cart path, passing the Godnhäusl near Reschen, Reschen, and after a short ascent, it goes down to the state road. Along the way, you have many impressive views of the north and east flanks of the Kleiner Priel (2,136 m). After the Flötzersteig has crossed the Schrattentaler bridge, it immediately turns left onto a gravel road, comfortably and shaded along the Steyr. Soon the Flötzersteig passes through the meadows of the Steyr the Eistererhütt'n and the Mundlhaus, and after a few minutes, you reach the Stampfsteg with the fairy rub station of the Stodertal dwarfs on the other river side. Now the path climbs briefly to the Karlbauernanger. Here you can clearly see the devastation left by the storms "Kyrill" in January 2007 and "Paula" in January 2008. At the end of the deforested area, the path leads upward until you reach the Karlbauernweg. Now turn left along the lush meadows of the Karlbauer estate, through a small settlement, and the Flötzersteig reaches the cozy snack station of the Schnablgut. It is worth stopping at the Flötzerstub'n to taste the many homemade specialties. Shortly afterwards, at the next farm, the Gütlergut, turn right towards the forest edge. Passing the drying hut and then on the forest road along the slope of the Kleiner Priel. After a meadow, the Flötzersteig leads down again to the Steyr bank, and soon you hear the massive roar of the Stromboding waterfall. Over the bridge and then shortly uphill, passing the conglomerate walls to the "classic photo spot" on the Flötzersteig, the Stromboding waterfall. A short, very steep ascent follows, and soon you reach above the waterfall a bridge again. It's worth pausing there. You can see how forcefully the water has "broken" through the rocks here over millennia. You can also easily imagine the "key point" this was for the Flötzer and how many lost their lives here. Now the Flötzersteig ascends gently, and soon you reach the access to the chalk cave (the short detour is worthwhile), passing the fairy rub station of the Stodertal dwarfs. Now you cross a short concrete path - the Schwarzbach. This is the shortest stream in the Stodertal, only two meters long (easy to see from the Steyr bank below). But after heavy thunderstorms, the stream rises within minutes to a raging river that immediately floods the Flötzersteig. This spectacle can best be photographed from the opposite sewage treatment plant of the Stodertal. The sewage plant is housed in two pipes in the Poppenberg. Soon the Flötzersteig reaches the valley floor of the Stodertal. Passing the Pension Prielkreuz, shortly afterwards an old mill, and soon you reach the Kneipp facility with the Stoderzeit organ clock. Now it's only a few more minutes to Hinterstoder. The Alpineum is truly a worthwhile stop and impressively presents the history of the Stodertal, the lives of the Flötzer and woodsmen, the development of skiing, as well as the drama of the mountains. Back on the Flötzersteig, it goes over pleasant floodplain meadows to the landscape jewel Schiederweiher, the most photographed motif in the Stodertal. Again and again, impressive views of the Spitzmauer and the Großer Priel, before going through the Klinserau towards the Dielt chapel. The Flötzersteig constantly offers sensational views of the almost encircling, massive mountain scenery of the Totes Gebirge. Passing the Dietlgut, over the Orchtwiese, reaching the rock of the Scheiblingstein on the right-hand side, you soon arrive at the inn Baumschlagerreith. From here, it's only a few minutes to the impressive source of the Steyr river. The Steyr springs from many hundreds of holes and within a few meters becomes a remarkable little river. Sit down and dip your feet in the refreshing water, with the Flötzersteig you have truly accomplished a great achievement.