Ybbsitz: Blacksmithing, hiking and cycling

Ybbsitz is a destination for visitors who want to combine blacksmithing heritage with hiking or cycling tours. To plan your stay, you can start by choosing a focus: FeRRUM and architectural history offer cultural points of interest, while the Schmiedemeile, the hike to Prochenberg and cycling routes offer different experiences.

Blacksmithing heritage and local history

“Blacksmithing in Ybbsitz” is a traditional craft in Lower Austria and was added to the Directory of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010. FeRRUM – welt des eisens explores this theme as a multimedia experience museum on the historic market square. The interactive exhibition offers insights into the blacksmith’s craft and shows how much metal shapes everyday life.

Those who would like to explore local history further can access the Ybbsitz Topothek online. It contains historical records relating to cultural monuments as well as agriculture, industry, transport, schools, floods, the fire brigade and theatre. The collection thus offers insights into various aspects of local history, not just the craft.

Architectural history in Ybbsitz and Kleinprolling

The parish church of St John the Baptist in Ybbsitz is a late Gothic hall church. Its choir dates from 1419, and the nave was built between 1480 and 1496. A hall church is a multi-aisled church whose nave and side aisles are roughly the same height. The dates given here therefore distinguish between when the choir and nave were built.

Architectural history can also be explored in the district of Kleinprolling: the twin-towered pilgrimage church of Maria Seesal was built there between 1904 and 1906. It is within the municipality of Ybbsitz, but outside the town centre. It can therefore be included as a separate stop within the municipality.

Hiking and cycling

The “Schmiedemeile Ybbsitz” is a moderately difficult hike covering 7.76 km, with 398 metres of elevation gain. Its stated duration is 2 hours 30 minutes. The Schmiedemeile is suitable for families, and several routes and shortcut options are available. Check the route details before setting out, as they may change.

A 25-metre-long adventure bridge, built by Ybbsitz blacksmiths, spans the waterfall on the Prollingbach stream. The “Auf den Prochenberg” hiking route starts in the centre of Ybbsitz. At Prochenberg, the viewing tower offers 360° views of the surrounding mountains. A description from 2023 names the Kleine Ybbs as a river for fly fishing and highlights its excellent fish stocks. Check local fishing regulations in advance.

Cyclists and mountain bikers have four varied routes to choose from, with a combined total length of around 110 km. This total refers to all four routes together. By contrast, the figures given for the Schmiedemeile refer to a single hike and include its duration.

Discover more destinations: Wolfsbach, Neuhofen an der Ybbs, Sankt Valentin, Wallsee, Zeillern, Hollenstein an der Ybbs, Ertl, Ardagger Stift.

See the overview of the wider travel area: Amstetten.