Ferratas in NP Gesäusee
The best places in and around Eisenerz
The area of the Gesäusee National Park, specifically around the town of Eisenerz, may not be as well known as the Salt Chamber, yet there are some of the most beautiful and difficult ferratas I know. Whether it is above the lake and photogenic „Kaiser-Franz-Joseph“ Klettersteig (D) with a possible extension to the adjoining (cave) „Rosslochhöhlen“ Klettersteig (D / E), then the top and long Kaiserschild Klettersteig (D / E) or simpler „Eisenerzer“ Klettersteig (C / D), each of which is an honest ferrate requiring previous experience. However, they no longer fall directly into the NP. The individual ascents are described in separate articles, so I will only add photos here that do not relate to climbing, but rather the area.
1 day
If you decide to explore this area more closely, I recommend planning one ferrata for each day. Eisenerz is not far, for example less than 4 hours from Brno. If you only have a weekend, that's enough, and if you don't want to deal with sleeping from PA-SO, just even go out in the SO early in the morning. It doesn't matter which ferrata you choose to start with. We started with Kaiserschild because it is long and demanding.
Kaiserschild Klettersteig
Ferrata in NP Gesäusee
This secured route with D / E difficulty will offer you more than 2 hours of air climbing at 360 altitude meters. It is a very demanding ferrate, which, however, is geographically beautiful and rich in natural scenery due to its location. You can complete the journey by climbing the 2084m high Kaiserschild with a view of the whole Eisenerz and the surrounding Alps. continue reading
Quarry in Eisenerz
This photogenic iron ore quarry can be seen from this and the Eisenerzer ferrata.
Leopoldsteinersee
After crossing to Lake Leopoldsteinersee (where we will spend the night in the parking lot), it is possible to try the water temperature for yourself. Because we sweated a lot during the day, we are not discouraged by the disappearing rays of the sun, which could be warmed up, and we bathe in the back of the lake, which is reserved for that. The water is more for hardy people, but at the same time it refreshes beautifully :)
Leopoldsteinersee
Between bathing and drying, we manage to cool down the beer and slowly go to the Milionstar hotel to the parking lot, where in the meantime more lodgers have arrived.
Day 2
Kaiser-Franz-Joseph + Rossloch
We get up early in the morning, stretch the broken bodies, and we have great motivation to be on the rope as one of the first. Boarding is less than half an hour away from the parking lot, which is a pleasant change compared to yesterday. Even so, we have more than 4 hours of fun waiting for us, and after Franz's end, we also have Rossloch.
Kaiser-Franz-Joseph Klettersteig
Ferrata in NP Gesäusee
Because Franz Joseph is a very accessible and attractive ferrata of difficulty D, I recommend starting it very early in the morning. Also because its ascent can take up to 4 hours and the sun shines on it all day. The combination with the Rosslochhöhlen ferrata is very advantageous, but it is only for real gourmets and perseverers. continue reading
Rossloch Höhlen Klettersteig
Ferrata in NP Gesäusee
This ferrata with high difficulty is most practical to combine with the just climbed Franz Joseph. However, this combination of two ferrates of difficulty D + D / E is really for gourmets and perseverers. Less than half an hour and almost no altitude meters separate you from boarding it. This ferrata is one-way and takes less than an hour, but just the beginning in the form of a descent in D passages is an interesting experience. But the best is yet to come: a cave with a rope bridge, which ends at the foot of the chimney, where the highlight and the most difficult passage of this entire rope path begins. Of course, if the walls are wet, the difficulty will increase and you will have to tighten most of them by hand. But it is a great experience and again to recommend. continue reading
Leopoldsteinersee - on the way to the ferrata
This lake does not lose its charm at any time of the day.
Leopoldsteinersee
when descending from the ferrate
Day 3 or variant of the 1st and 2nd day
Eisenerzer Klettersteig, C / D
I went to this ferrata at the end of May, and because it was very cold, there was still snow on the mountains. However, the ferrata itself was dry, only on the ascent did we come across a few snow fields.
Eisenerzer Klettersteig
Ferrata in NP Gesäusee
The surroundings of Eisenerz offer several beautiful ferratas and climbing routes. In this article, I will introduce you – from my point of view – to the simplest local ferrata (difficulty C / D), which is unique in that it offers a view of both local landmarks at the same time – the quarry and the lake. continue reading
May Eisenerz
view from the Eisenerzer ferrata
