1. How hard is the Luchs Trail?

Medium. Technically speaking, the Luchs Trail is medium difficulty. There are no roped or exposed sections that require a clear head for heights. You must be sure-footed and have mountain experience for the steep and rocky sections. Detours from the main path, e.g. summit ascents in Gesäuse, can also be difficult.

2. How fit do I need to be to do the Luchs Trail?

The Luchs Trail is demanding. Apart from a very few shorter stages, you must be able to cope with the following daily requirements depending on your chosen hike: walking up to eight hours per day; Ascent and descent distances of up to 1,500 metres and average distances of 20 kilometres. So a little preparation can’t hurt!

3. Can I also hike the Luchs Trail in the opposite direction, from the Ötscher base via Gesäuse to Reichraming?

Of course! However, the trail is only signposted in the standard direction.

4. Can I do the Luchs Trail on a mountain bike?

Unfortunately not! Most of the routes on the Luchs Trail are footpaths only, where mountain biking is also prohibited by law. But don’t worry: the “Trans Nationalpark” offers 240 km of mountain biking trails in the same area. https://www.transnationalpark.at.

5. How do I find suitable accommodation along the Luchs Trail?

There are two possibilities:

Either search for somewhere to stay on the website for the Luchs Trail under the menu “accommodation”, or book through the Luchs Trail Information- & Booking Centre, which guides you through the booking process for your chosen hiking trip dates (see also question 10). Please note: during the peak season (July, August) some stages may be at maximum capacity!

6. How do I find refreshments along the Luchs Trail?

Details of refreshment opportunities (huts, inns, etc.) along the trail are in the stage descriptions (top menu: “Stages”) on the Luchs Trail website. If you are travelling with a group, we recommend booking in advance.

7. Is camping along the Luchs Trail allowed?

Unfortunately no! Camping is only allowed in campsites. Unfortunately a start-to-finish camping hike on the Luchs Trail isn’t possible as only a few stages have a campsite.

8. Can I bring my dog on the Luchs Trail?

Yes you can. But the probability to see a lynx will be almost zero. When hiking with your dog, please note the following:

1) Dogs must be on a lead for the entire length of the Luchs Trail.

2) Not all tourist accommodation allows dogs. Let them know that you will have your loyal companion with you before you book.

3) Dog food: This is where the Luchs Trail Information- & Booking Centre offer of transporting your luggage comes into its own. Otherwise your backpack will be really heavy!

9. Is it possible get to the Luchs Trail using public transport?

By train: The following stations are available: Reichraming station, Waidhofen an der Ybbs station (continue with bus line MO1 to Lunz), Scheibbs station (continue with bus line MO2 to Lunz), Liezen station or Ardning station (continue with bus to Admont). Admont station: limited train service through the Gesäuse on weekends, Wienerbruck-Josefsberg station (Mariazeller Bahn, 40 minutes’ walk to the Ötscher base).

By plane: The following international airports are recommended for arrival by plane: Vienna, Linz and Graz.

The Luchs Trail Information & Booking Centre will be happy to organise a shuttle service to the starting point and back to a railway station or airport at the end of the tour.

10. What are the advantages of booking through the Luchs Trail Information- & Booking Centre?

The booking centre offers an award-winning service for individual guests:

You can make a booking for the duration of your hiking trip ready for every day at each stage. The service includes the following package with a “Best Price Guarantee”:

Accommodation in three categories, shuttle services, luggage transport, tour documents, trail hotline and optional services such as guiding, travel insurance and special events.

However, the Luchs Trail Information- & Booking Centre isn’t able to offer specific services, such as only booking an overnight stay – or only booking the luggage transport or shuttle service. We hope you understand!

11. And finally, possibly the most important question: will I see a lynx?

If you are really lucky, but you will have the privilege of being in one of the lynx’s rare habitats. If you walk carefully through the lynx’s territory, you may find traces of the shy cat. Lynx aren’t generally considered to be very shy, but thanks to their excellent camouflaged fur they are practically “invisible”. It’s much more likely that the lynx will be watching you (well camouflaged)! By the way, Peter Matthiesen wrote a famous book about his search for the snow leopard in Tibet and said that it was wonderful not to have seen him!

12. How do I behave if I come across a lynx?

Lynx are completely harmless to humans and never attack. Don’t move closer to it, just stand still or sit down, then you might be able to watch it for a bit longer. The lynx will probably do the same thing and watch you. Especially when perching on a rock, watching you from a steep slope, they can be surprisingly bold. The animal doesn’t quite know what to make of you. Try to take a photo! Due to their individual coats, photos are particularly valuable for our lynx monitoring work – please email it to us.