Wörschach – Admont: Put-ins, take-outs and highlights
On this longest stage of the whole tour, moving water grade 1–2 awaits you. Touring paddlers of every ability will be in their element here. Choose from three route lengths, with a take-out after 21 km, 27 km or 34 km.
Special features
A very even current to enjoy. Here the Enns flows through extensive wetland meadows and woodland. The mouth of the Paltenbach is one of the most beautiful spots on the entire route, and the villages along the Enns always have something new to discover.
Caution: The Enns river trip ends at the last take-out at the Lauferbrücke (34 km). It is the last take-out before the Gesäuse – beyond it lies extreme whitewater!
Access
Between Wörschach and Aigen, directly after the Enns cycle path bridge, a narrow road runs for about 100 m along the right bank. It leads to a gravel car park at the mouth of the Gulling, where you can easily get onto the Enns.
Exits
- after 21 km: Ardning – Frauenberg (Glasbachweg bridge), bus stop at the bridge
- after 27 km: Admont, on the left after the road bridge, at the mouth of the Eßlingbach
- after 34 km: Lauferbrücke in the Krumau, right bank – you must get out here
Stages
You start the last and longest stage of the Enns river trip in the large eddy at a wonderfully picturesque sandbank, right at the mouth of the Gulling. At first it is an easy paddle downstream towards Liezen. In this area the Enns flows in very straight lines through unspoilt meadows and woodland. There are hardly any obstacles or difficult spots (moving water grade 1–2). Even so, you should always stay alert so that you can avoid branches or trees overhanging the river at any time.
After about an hour of wonderfully smooth, relaxed paddling you reach Liezen under the Selzthal road bridge. This is the end of the first section and a great place to restock your provisions, as the many shops of Liezen are just a 10-minute walk from this take-out.
Access
Between Wörschach and Aigen, directly after the Enns cycle path bridge, a narrow road runs for about 100 m along the right bank. It leads to a gravel car park at the mouth of the Gulling, where you can easily get onto the Enns.
Exit
In Liezen, under the Selzthal road bridge. The town-centre shops are about a 10-minute walk away.
On this section an open and once again very straight stretch of river is sure to win you over completely. Most eddies are visible from a long way off and will not cause any surprises. You paddle under the two large bridges of the B320 and the A9 through the Enns valley, past Selzthal towards Frauenberg, where you eventually reach the Zwirtnersee. Now the bankside vegetation becomes denser again and nature wilder. The mouth of the Paltenbach will surely be crowned the undisputed number one among the scenic highlights of this stage. It is a well-known natural place of power that invites you to linger and chill out.
In terms of paddling, though, the Palten confluence also deserves your attention, as the course of the river constantly changes there and is somewhat unpredictable. Under normal conditions, however, you can pass through in the main current without difficulty. Once you have left this section of the Enns behind, you reach your next destination: the Glasbachweg bridge near Frauenberg. Here you can shorten this stage or finish your river trip.
But you certainly won’t regret carrying on, because now the exceptionally impressive mountain scenery of the Gesäuse National Park opens up before you. It offers uniquely beautiful impressions that you will remember fondly. You have this panorama as your companion for a full 6 km until you reach the take-out in Admont. To use it safely, pass under the bridge in Admont and paddle on to the mouth of the Eßlingbach.
Access
In Liezen, under the Selzthal road bridge.
Exits
- Ardning – Frauenberg (Glasbachweg bridge), bus stop at the bridge
- Admont, on the left after the road bridge, at the mouth of the Eßlingbach
From Admont you can extend the trip by around 6.3 km to the Lauferbrücke in the Krumau. From here on it gets really sporty, and this final section should only be tackled by experienced long-distance paddlers.
If you have the necessary skills, you will discover one of the most beautiful but also most demanding sections, through the unspoilt Krumau just before the Gesäuse National Park. The current is noticeably stronger here, and you should pay particular attention to the eddy lines so that you don’t capsize.
At the Lauferbrücke you have reached the end of your Enns river trip; take out on the right-hand side.
Caution: Beyond the Lauferbrücke lies the entrance to the Gesäuse with extreme whitewater – there is a danger to life here! Be sure to end your river trip on the Enns at this point and keep it as a wonderful memory.
Access
In Admont, on the left after the road bridge, at the mouth of the Eßlingbach.
Exit
Lauferbrücke in the Krumau, right bank – you must get out here. It is the last take-out before the Gesäuse.
