Johnsbach: Cave, Trails and Alpine Pasture Loop

Johnsbach is located in Gesäuse National Park. When choosing a destination, nature attractions and trails with different focuses take centre stage: Odelstein Cave, themed trails, the Alpine Pasture Loop and sport climbing areas. The range extends from cave geology and meditation in the forest to a family adventure trail, regional food and climbing. If you are planning a stay, you can use these options to decide which experience you would like to focus on.

Trails and getting around in Johnsbach

The Rauchboden Nature Trail can be started at Johnsbach station; it opened on 4 September 2026. The “Der Wilde John” legend trail has a different focus: this approximately 3.5 km family adventure trail for children runs along the Johnsbach stream and starts at the car park by the Weidendom. There is a car park at the starting point; a railway station is 550 metres away. Check suitable transport connections before you travel. The Weidendom visitor centre is near Johnsbach; check its current operating arrangements before your trip.

The Johnsbach Bible Trail/Mountaineers’ Cemetery is an easy, 1.6 km meditation trail through idyllic mixed forest. It is shorter than the approximately 3.5 km legend trail; the two also have different characters: here, the focus is on meditation in the forest, while the other is a family adventure trail for children along the Johnsbach stream. Trail conditions may change seasonally, so check them before setting out.

Cave and Mountaineers’ Cemetery

Odelstein Cave is located in the upper Johnbach Valley at an elevation of 1,085 m. It is known for its greenish-blue aragonite crystals; the cave system extends for 470 m. The crystals and the size of the system provide two specific points of interest for this geological attraction in Johnsbach.

The Mountaineers’ Cemetery is the final resting place of people who lost their lives in the Gesäuse mountains and in mountains around the world. Its orientation offers a view of Großer Ödstein. Together with the meditation trail through the mixed forest, it reveals a special connection to mountaineering tradition alongside the natural surroundings.

Alpine Pasture Loop and climbing

The Alpine Pasture Loop starts at Ebnerkreuzung in Johnsbach and connects four working alpine pastures. Along the route, you can enjoy homemade regional specialities such as Kaspressknödelsuppe (cheese dumpling soup), Fleischstrudel (meat strudel) and Bauernkrapfen (farmers’ doughnuts). The loop therefore has a culinary focus as well as being a walking route. The huts operate seasonally, and what they offer may vary from one alpine pasture to another; take this into account when planning your trip.

The sport climbing areas around Johnsbach have numerous routes on compact rock. The range extends from easy lines at grade 3 to challenging projects in the 10− range. Check local climbing restrictions before climbing.

Discover more destinations: Landl, Donnersbach, Weng Im Gesäuse, Selzthal, Gstatterboden, Donnersbachwald, Gemeinde Lassing bei Selzthal, Großsölk.

For the overarching travel overview: Liezen.