The Gesäuse is one of Austria's most dramatic and untamed mountain regions — a place where the Enns River carves a thundering gorge through vertical limestone walls, and peaks rise almost sheer from the valley floor. With its raw scenery and serious climbing terrain, this is a destination that rewards those who come prepared and with a genuine love of the mountains.

The landscape here is defined by contrasts: foaming whitewater below, ancient grey limestone walls towering up to 1,000 metres above the valley, and quiet alpine meadows tucked behind the ridges. The Gesäuse National Park, established in 2002, protects this entire ecosystem — including golden eagles, chamois, and rare limestone flora. Whether you are a seasoned climber or a confident hiker, the scenery is simply breathtaking at every turn.

• Hochtor (2369 m) — the highest peak in the entire Ennstaler Alps, ringed by steep walls on all sides; only for experienced mountaineers.
• Planspitze (2117 m) — boasts a famous north face up to 780 m high, one of the iconic climbing walls of the Eastern Alps.
• Großer Buchstein (2224 m) — the highest point of the Buchstein group, reachable via a classic route from the Buchsteinhaus hut.
• Tamischbachturm (2035 m) — a striking tower with a panoramic summit, more accessible for intermediate hikers.

• Base towns: Admont and Hieflau, situated at either end of the Gesäuse gorge.
• Trail difficulty: Wide range — from moderate hiking trails to serious multi-pitch climbing routes; most summit routes require sure-footedness and a head for heights.
• Getting there: By car via motorway A9 to Admont; by train on the Selzthal–Kleinreifling line to Admont-Gesäuse station.

The name 'Gesäuse' comes from the German word for rushing or hissing — a fitting description of the wild Enns River, which drops over 150 metres in elevation across just 16 kilometres of gorge, making it one of the most powerful river breakthroughs in the Northern Alps.