A hike through the forest leads up to the romantic Schrattenstein ruin, where you have a beautiful view of Schrattenbach, terrain, and Hohe Wand.
Description
The path to the castle once led, as it still does today, upwards from the hamlet of Schrattenbach through a narrow rock gorge to the former castle meadow, which has unfortunately now been reforested with spruce. From here, you can already see the massive castle walls. Many parts of the former castle, such as gates with wooden bridges, walls, castle moat, bear or wolf enclosure, castle courtyards, stables, storage rooms, tower room, and castle chapel can still be imagined today. On the mountain side of the courtyard, opposite the gate, lies a small cave. This was apparently expanded by humans long ago.
Curious hikers can explore the old buildings while enjoying the beauties of the landscape. The castle is surrounded by forests and a steep slope with a via ferrata. You enjoy a wonderful view into the quiet valley where Schrattenbach lies and the mountain panorama of terrain and Hohe Wand. Numerous hikes towards Grunbach or Wurflach are possible from the ruin. After the castle experience, you first go back down for some refreshment at the Gasthaus zum alten Schlossteich.
Starting point of the tour
Gasthaus zum alten Schlossteich
Destination point of the tour
Gasthaus zum alten Schlossteich
Route description Ruinenweg - Schrattenbach
From the Gasthaus zum alten Schlossteich, keep right and walk past the wildlife enclosure up the unpaved hollow path. Follow the signs to the Schrattenstein ruin. From the ruin, a narrow path and a short descent through a deep hollow lead down to Greith, where you stay always to the left on the road and return to the starting point.
Directions
From Vienna: A2 exit Wr. Neustadt West - turn left towards Puchberg/Schneeberg - after about 20 km you reach Grunbach/Schneeberg - turn left in the center towards Schrattenbach
From Graz: S6 exit Neunkirchen - B26 to Neunkirchen – turn left towards Puchberg/Schneeberg then immediately right towards Willendorf/Wurflach - after about 15 km you reach Grunbach/Schneeberg - turn left in the center towards Schrattenbach
Take the regional train from Wr. Neustadt main station towards Puchberg am Schneeberg. Get off at the Grunbach am Schneeberg stop. From there, about a 40-minute walk to the Gasthaus zum alten Schlossteich. Buses also run to Grunbach am Schneeberg and, on weekdays, to Schrattenbach.
Further information at www.oebb.at or www.vor.at
