Sankt Georgen am Reith: Friesling, Cycling Route and Local History

Sankt Georgen am Reith offers different focal points for planning a trip: Friesling, with its karst plateau and hiking trails; the Ybbstal Cycling Route; and cultural traces at the chapel and parish church. The Riesenlehen ski lift is a winter attraction. If you are planning a hotel stay, you can shape your days around whether hiking in the mountains, cycling, winter sports or local history is your priority.

Friesling: Karst Landscape and Hiking

The Jörgl Chapel, also known as the Georgs Chapel, lies at an elevation of 888 m in St. Georgen am Reith, on the eastern foothills of Friesling. Friesling has a large, largely treeless karst plateau and offers views as far as Buchstein and Voralm. The mountain thus combines a specific religious building on its eastern foothills with an open karst landscape and named viewpoints. If you would like to take in both the landscape and local culture during your trip, the chapel and plateau offer different points of interest.

Friesling can be hiked via footpaths and forest roads. Allow about 1.5 hours for the mountain hike from the saddle of Große Kripp to the summit. This time estimate gives you a guide for planning your summit visit; check trail conditions before setting out, as they can vary seasonally.

Church and the History of Iron Transport

The parish church of St. Georgen am Reith was built in 1530 in the Late Gothic style. The Jörgl Chapel offers a different historical perspective: it dates from the period when iron was transported from Styria over the mountain by horses and mules to the smithies in Ybbsitz. This gives you two distinct points of interest for planning a cultural visit: the architectural history of a Late Gothic church with a specific construction date, and the history of iron transport over the mountain.

Skiing in Winter

The Riesenlehen ski lift is in the Kogelsbach district of St. Georgen am Reith, about 100 m from the main road. It has a nostalgic-style drag lift more than 400 m long. The ski area offers particularly easy-to-follow slopes, suitable for children learning to ski. The lift operates seasonally and depends on snow conditions. For planning, these are two separate considerations: the slopes’ suitability for children learning to ski, and whether the lift will be running on your chosen date. So check operating conditions before your outing.

Cycling on the Ybbstal Cycling Route

The Ybbstal Cycling Route reaches the municipality of St. Georgen am Reith. There is a designated parking area for cyclists on the route at the former St. Georgen am Reith railway station. Käfer's am Radweg is a rest stop in the former station, right on the Ybbstal Cycling Route. Check the rest stop’s opening hours before setting out so you can factor a break into your tour plans.

The Ybbstal Cycling Route climbs gently in the direction of Göstling.

Discover more destinations: Hollenstein an der Ybbs, Behamberg, Wolfsbach, Haag, Wallsee, Euratsfeld, Neuhofen an der Ybbs, Amstetten

Back to the main travel overview: Amstetten.