Discover Liezen

The organ in Liezen Parish Church is one of the largest organs in Styria. It was built by the Dreher & Reinisch organ workshop in the 1960s; its 52 stops are spread across four manuals and a pedal division. This is a distinctive starting point for discovering Liezen and the region’s cultural and natural attractions.

Churches, crafts and the market in Liezen

St. Vitus Parish Church is first mentioned in documents from Admont Abbey dating to around 1150. Another landmark is the Calvary Chapel: the Baroque ensemble marks the end of a Stations of the Cross route. The chapel offers views over the town of Liezen and the Enns Valley. Wöhr Forge is a fully equipped smithy, complete with all its tools and equipment, in an old burgher’s house that has been preserved in its original form. The Pesendorfer Cross also has a restoration story to tell: the imposing cast-iron cross was thoroughly restored in 1997 and re-erected close to its original location.

The producers’ and traders’ market, known as the “Farmers’ Market,” is part of everyday life in Liezen. It takes place in the market square on Thursdays from 7:00 to 11:00 a.m. If Thursday is a public holiday, the market is held on the preceding Wednesday.

Hiking and nature in Gesäuse National Park

In Gesäuse National Park, rugged limestone peaks and green forests meet alpine pastures, mountain huts and fast-flowing whitewater. Hiking trails offer views of mountain peaks, glimpses deep into the landscape and the Enns on the valley floor. Mountain bikers can explore well-marked and signposted routes, including those over Hochscheibenalm, along Ennsbodenweg and Rauchbodenweg, and on the Johnsbach Alpine Pastures Circuit.

Visitor centres are located at Weidendom and in Gstatterboden. Activities include nature trails, marked paths, guided visits and tours, ranging from accessible walking paths to challenging climbing routes. The Weidendom Visitor Centre is also the starting point for numerous nature trails. You can reach it by public transport via the Gesäuse Bachbrücke/Weidendom bus stop or Johnsbach im Nationalpark railway station. Connections may change, so check the current timetable before setting out. Rafting, boating and kayaking are possible on the Enns in designated visitor areas.

Trails and winter in Sölktäler Nature Park

For those considering a longer hike, the European Central Alpine Route 02 is a notable option: it is Austria’s longest hiking trail, crossing the Niedere Tauern and thus the entire Sölktäler Nature Park. At Gumpenalm, a geological nature trail adds insights into geology to the nature experience.

There is also specific guidance for winter. When there is sufficient snow, the Mößna–St. Nikolai, St. Nikolai–Bräualm and Stein an der Enns cross-country ski trails are groomed in the nature park. Snow conditions are decisive, so these trails are not guaranteed to be prepared every winter season regardless of conditions.

Cultural attractions in Liezen District

Admont Benedictine Abbey is home to the world’s largest monastic library, with over 60,000 books. Trautenfels Castle dedicates its collection to the cultural and natural history of Liezen District; it comprises over 42,000 objects. The castle’s observation tower is 30 metres high and can be reached via 142 steps. For safety reasons, the Altaussee Salt Mines can only be visited as part of a guided tour. The mine visit lasts around 90 minutes and covers approximately 2.5 kilometres on foot through tunnels made of pure salt; check the current tour arrangements in advance.

Choose the right base

Tailor your search to your own travel plans rather than assuming that the destination’s name alone will point you to the right base.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Johnsbach, Strimitzen, Aich-Assach, Sankt Gallen, Admont, Aigen Im Ennstal, Pichl, Großsölk, Ruperting, Furrach, Niederöblarn, Irdning, Donnersbachwald, Donnersbach, Öblarn, Sankt Nikolai Im Sölktal, Stein An Der Enns, Schladming, Pruggern, Haus, Mitterberg, Gröbming, Tauplitz, Sankt Martin Am Grimming, Ramsau Am Dachstein, Grundlsee, Bad Mitterndorf, Bad Aussee, Altaussee, Altenmarkt, Rohrmoos-Untertal, Gössenberg, Mandling, Gaishorn Am See, Schildlehen, Weißenbach An Der Enns, Michaelerberg, Pichl-Kainisch, Stainach, Trieben, Palfau, Puchen, Gatschberg, St. Leonard, Gstatterboden, Lassing Bei Liezen, Ardning, Wörschach, Gleiming, Selzthal, Großreifling, Fleiss, Zlem, Weng Im Gesäuse, Geiergraben, Landl, Gams Bei Hieflau, Gößl, Weißenbach Bei Liezen, Kleinsölk, Liezen, Wildalpen, Rottenmann, Oppenberg, Tipschern, Gemeinde Lassing bei Selzthal, Pürgg-Trautenfels, Weyern.

For the overall travel guide: Styria.