Discover Klaus an der Pyhrnbahn

Klaus an der Pyhrnbahn is a scenic mountain municipality on the orographic left bank of the Steyr River. It lies at the entrance to the Pyhrn-Priel region; the villages of Steyrling and Kniewas are part of the municipality. Cultural history, cycling routes and waterside recreation offer a range of ways to shape your stay.

Town centre and getting oriented

Klaus an der Pyhrnbahn railway station is right in the town centre, giving you a clear reference point for getting oriented. The other destinations described are spread across Klaus and Steyrling and include historic churches, the Steyrling swimming pond and activities at the Klaus Reservoir.

Castle, churches and music

Klaus Castle is listed as a historic monument by the Austrian Federal Monuments Authority. The original castle in Klaus was probably built before the 12th century. It is thought to have served to observe, guard and control the area as far as Pyhrn Pass. This cautious historical interpretation reflects a local history in which the location at the entrance to the Pyhrn-Priel region played a role.

Another landmark in the town’s history is Klaus Mountain Church: it was built between 1616 and 1618 as a Protestant parish church and consecrated as a Catholic parish church in 1674. Steyrling is home to the neo-Gothic Church of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. Its furnishings include statues by Josef and Johann Rint from Bohemia. The foundation stone for this church was laid in 1854, and it was consecrated in 1863.

A former railway building now has a cultural use: the locomotive shed in Klaus was a locomotive repair workshop. It was restored for the 1998 provincial exhibition; today, the municipality uses it as a cultural centre and concert hall. Six concerts are held at the Lokschuppm Klaus every year. The Musik Sommer Klaus, held annually since 1967, is another local musical tradition.

Cycling routes and the reservoir

The Kremstal cycle path R10, “The Legendary Cycle Path,” starts or ends in Klaus an der Pyhrnbahn and is 63 kilometres long. On the Klaus section of the Steyrtal cycle path R8 and the Kalkalpen National Park cycle path R31, a different landmark takes centre stage: most of the route runs close to the elongated Klaus Reservoir. The Untergrünburg–Klaus section of the R8 follows almost exactly the route of the Steyrtal Railway.

At the reservoir, you can also plan an approximately two-hour round trip on the floating alpine hut. It passes through wild and romantic gorges, alongside steep conglomerate cliffs and through a canyon-like river landscape. Electric boat trips are also available on Klaus Reservoir. Check whether a trip is running on your chosen date before making plans.

Steyrling swimming pond

The Steyrling swimming pond is a bathing facility in the middle of the forest. It includes a swimming area, a children’s play area and a sunbathing lawn with sunny and naturally shaded spots. This gives you a place to swim, play and take a break on the grass. In winter, if it is operating, there are two natural ice rinks with floodlighting. This winter option is explicitly subject to operation, so do not count on it being available.

A hike also connects several historic sites: the route leads to Klaus Castle, continues to Klaus Mountain Church and returns to the starting point via Hofwiese. This lets you visit the sites mentioned on a circular route, without assuming a specific duration or level of difficulty for the route description. If you want to focus your stay on cultural history, cycling or waterside recreation, Klaus offers a choice of different themes.

Discover more destinations: Rossleithen, Hinterstoder, Rinnerberg, Steinbach Am Ziehberg, Windischgarsten, Micheldorf In Oberösterreich, Nußbach, Spital Am Pyhrn.

Back to the main travel overview: Kirchdorf An Der Krems.