Gemeindealpe & Erlaufsee – Alpine Views and Lakeside Paths
Details
Hi everyone,
On Saturday, May 16 2026, I'm planning a spring hike from Mitterbach train station to the top of Gemeindealpe and walk down along a scenic route to Erlaufsee.
This hike is all about walking, wide views, and enjoying the landscape together with plenty of time for conversation, short breaks, and simply being outdoors.
Highlights
🏞️ Gemeindealpe – alpine views
🌄Erlaufsee
Hike Details
Distance: approx. 15 km
Elevation: approx. 850m ascent
Walking time: approx. 6-7 hours
Difficulty: MEDIUM. While technically mostly easy it's a proper mountain after all... so you should be fit enough and have some hiking experience. Since this is a group hike the route might have to be adapted for safety reasons.
https://www.bahn-zum-berg.at/ybbstaler-alpen/gemeindealpe-erlaufsee/
Meeting Point & Trave
Meeting Time: 06:50 at Westbahnhof on the top floor near the ticket machines. Please buy your own tickets before boarding the train and be on time since we'll take the train we'll take the train CJX5 leaving 07:18 and arrive in St. Pölten at 07:54 where we change to the train leaving 08:37 from St. Pölten with expected arrival in Mitterbach around 10:45
Trains from Mitterbach back to St. Pölten leave every hour
What to Expect
We’ll walk together at a relaxed, social pace, staying as a group throughout the day
This is not a race or performance hike as long as you have basic fitness for this hike — the focus is on shared experience, conversation, and enjoying the landscape at an unhurried rhythm
We’ll take regular short breaks whenever useful
🥪 We don’t plan to stop at huts or restaurants during the hike, so please bring your own snacks and drinks (approx. 2 liters of water)
🌧️ Weather can be changeable, so basic rain protection is recommended
🥾 Please wear sturdy hiking shoes. Some sections may be muddy, depending on the weather. I reserve the right to refuse people who don't have suitable footwear to join for the hike on the day for safety reasons
🧢 Please bring sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses), especially on warm or sunny days
Toilets are only available on the train and on top of Gemeindealpe as well as at Erlaufsee
Important Note
⚠️ Disclaimer: As always, this is a free, private leisure activity. I’m not a certified hiking guide, and participation is at your own responsibility and risk
I will send a weather update on Thursday evening to everyone registered
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions
Looking forward to sharing this hike with you
Jör
Ticket Option
The VOR Freizeitticket costs €19.90 for the day in Lower Austria and covers all regional trains including Mariazeller Bahn
More information
https://www.vor.at/en/tickets/ticket-overview/leisure-ticket