Leonstein: Schmiedleithen, Leisure Park and Steyr Gorge

For a stay in Leonstein, you can focus on three different things: the history of the Schmiedleithen hammer lords’ complex, the sports facilities at the leisure park, or the paths and viewpoints in the landscape along the Steyr. This makes it easy to connect your hotel search with the things that interest you most while you’re there.

Schmiedleithen: Complex, gardens and exhibition

The Schmiedleithen complex is the only hammer lords’ complex in the entire Eisenwurzen region to have survived in such a complete state. Several themed gardens extend across more than 3,000 m² in the historic manor garden. These include a rose garden, rock garden, kitchen garden, front garden and smithy garden, as well as a herb spiral. Alongside the history of the complex itself, the different garden areas offer another way to explore Schmiedleithen.

An exhibition is also part of this cultural focus: housed in the Kram at Schmiedleithen, it is dedicated to the lives and work of Rudolf, Hermine and Josef Zeitlinger, the last Black Counts of Schmiedleithen. This means that, in addition to the estate, the people whose lives are connected with its history are also in the spotlight. If you want to explore historic places not only through their buildings, but also through their residents and their work, this offers a specific starting point.

Historic paths and waterfall route

The Black Counts Circular Trail starts at Leonstein Castle and follows the Rinnerberger Bach into a deeply cut valley with manor houses, smithies and servants’ houses. On this trail, the stream and the historic building types mentioned above provide the landmarks. This sets it apart from a visit focused on the complex, gardens or exhibition: here, the route through the valley takes centre stage.

Another option is the route to the Rinnerberger Waterfall and through the gorge. It starts and ends at the former Waldklause in Grünburg/Leonstein. The two route descriptions therefore have different focuses: the Black Counts Circular Trail follows the stream to the buildings described in the valley, while the other route features a waterfall and a gorge. This can help you plan your outing around the theme you prefer, without treating the two routes as the same.

Leisure park and cycle path

Leonstein’s leisure park includes a varied outdoor fitness park with views of the mountains. It also has a skate park and two beach volleyball courts. Several specific activities are therefore available: outdoor fitness, skating and beach volleyball. You can consider these options as a separate focus alongside the historic attractions.

The Steyrtal Cycle Path runs directly past Leonstein Leisure Park. It is used by cyclists, walkers, runners and skaters. The cycle path and the park therefore offer different ways to stay active: one is a route used by various groups, while the other is a leisure park with a fitness area, skate park and two volleyball courts.

Rest stop and views of the Steyr Gorge

A wooden pavilion at the Fürnkranz car park in Leonstein serves as a rest stop. It also provides information about Kalkalpen National Park and the Steyrtal Museum Railway. If you want to keep these themes in mind as you find your way around, the pavilion brings both together with a place to rest.

A secured viewing platform is located on the upper edge of the Steyr Gorge. It is in Leonstein, just before or after crossing the main road, and offers a view into the Steyr Canyon. The viewpoint is therefore focused specifically on the gorge and canyon, rather than on a general landscape panorama.

For the broader travel overview: Kirchdorf An Der Krems.