Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Eisenerz, nestled at the foot of the extraordinary Erzberg (Iron Mountain), is one of the
important stops along the
Steirische Eisenstrasse
(Styrian Iron Road). This unusual peak has
been completely denuded by open-cast stope mining and resembles a step pyramid. The
outcome is eerie and surprisingly beautiful, with its orange and purple shades contrasting
with the lush greenery and grey crags of surrounding mountains.
Sights & Activities
Erzberg
( 32 00;
www.abenteuer-erzberg.at
;
Erzberg 1; tours adult/child €15/7.50, combined tours €26/12.50, Hauly explo-
sion tour €21/15.50; tours 10am-3pm May-Oct, advance booking required; )
Eisenerz' main attraction
is its Erzberg ironworks, which can be seen up close on underground
Schaubergwerk
tours of the mine, abandoned in 1986, or alternatively on overground tours in a 'Hauly'
truck along roads cut into the mountain. Both tours are usually in German, with English-
language notes available. Each Thursday at 9am you can also ride up in a Hauly and
watch the rock being exploded. The departure point is a 10-minute walk from the centre,
following the course of the river.
Dress warmly for the 90-minute
Schaubergwerk
tours. There are fine views along the
way of the 60-minute
Hauly Abenteuerfahrt
tours.
INDUSTRIAL MUSEUM
Wehrkirche St Oswald
(Kirchenstiege 4; 9am-7pm Apr-Oct)
More a fortress than a Gothic church, this soaring bastion
gained its heavy walls in 1532 as protection against the Turks.
CHURCH
Hiking Trails
Eisenerz is surrounded by lots of hiking trails. The tourist office has a free town map
with trails marked, including to the idyllic
Leopoldsteiner See
, only 3km north on the road
towards Admont. This small lake has a wall of granite rising to 1649m as a backdrop;
you can hire boats in summer - it's a very chilly swim, though.
HIKING
Sleeping & Eating
There are several good
Pensionen
and hotels in the old town, but not so many good eat-
ing options.
