L2 Rinnende Mauer - short

This circular route is ideal for beginners and hikers, as only 260 meters of elevation have to be overcome over a length of 10 km.

The highlight on this route is the natural monument “Rinnende Mauer”, a conglomerate wall from which water emerges like a curtain on damp days.

The route starts at the bus stop near the National Park Center in Molln. From here you walk along the right side of the street until you reach the edge of the town at an intersection, where we turn left at the inn. After about 500 m, keep right; then it goes down into the Steyrschlucht, which we will now follow for some distance.

Under the road bridge, a single trail opens up the Salzsteigweg E4 for the next kilometers. Past a waterfall, it goes up and down along the Steyr River. Overhanging, steeply rising conglomerate walls accompany us along the way. Exactly after 2.5 km you reach a small wooden bridge, where the crooked Steyrling flows into the larger Steyr River. In summer, small gravel banks here invite you to swim.

However, we cross the small wooden bridge and continue walking. The path is heavily rooted here, so caution is advised on this part of the route as the risk of tripping is very high. After about 4 km in the Schacher forest, we come to a fork where there is the option to descend to the Rinnende Mauer or continue on the Salzsteigweg. To get to the Rinnende Mauer, keep left; it goes briefly but steeply down to the river until you stand in front of a natural phenomenon. From a so-called drip spring, water flows out of the rock wall along a length of 50 meters like a fine curtain of water. Especially after rainy days, this natural spectacle can be observed particularly well.

We walk back to the fork and follow the Salzsteigweg towards Gradau until, after 5 kilometers walked, we reach the federal road. We keep right and walk a few hundred meters along the road towards Molln. At the height of the company Bernegger, we turn left into the forest. Here is a signpost for the Elfi Tunnel, the longest private tunnel in Upper Austria, which runs through the mountain for 3.5 km up to the Pfaffenboden and is (unfortunately) not publicly accessible. I have once been able to walk through the tunnel; the average incline of 15% is anything but a pleasure.

However, we walk up the forest until we reach a forest road that we will follow for the next 2 km. Here we also reach the highest point of the route. At the Mollnerhütte hiking sign after 7.2 km, we turn right towards Sonnseite; from here it goes on asphalted paths and roads into the center of Molln. We pass the parking lot of the company Piesslinger and take the path uphill to Molln on the left until the small company Schwarz, which produces the famous jaw harps. Past the church in the center, it is only a few hundred meters to the starting point at the visitor center.

If you're not in a hurry, on hot summer days small gravel banks along the Steyr River invite you to jump into the cool water.

The required equipment always depends on the respective route and weather conditions. Regarding provisions: this is very individual and it is advisable to have more rather than less of equipment and provisions with you. A 5 km round in the valley requires less than a demanding route in the mountains. The weather can change quickly, and if you are not constantly moving or need to take a break, warm clothing is very important, for example.

Here is a general checklist for you:

• Weather-appropriate running clothes for the respective season – weather forecast – region – altitude. These include among others:
  * a waterproof rain jacket
  * waterproof rain pants suitable for running
  * gloves and warm headgear (cap/headband/neck gaiter)
  * sunglasses + sunscreen + headgear for very warm days


• Trail running shoes


• Water bottles, soft flasks or a hydration bladder with sufficient fluid for the respective tour (possibly also salt tablets/magnesium)


• Snacks for an energy boost in between: energy bars, gels, chocolate, trail mix,


• Running backpack: ideally a trail running vest / a trail running backpack or a waist belt for small tours.


• Drypack: so that your valuables or change of clothes stay dry (optionally a small trash bag)


• Emergency blanket


• Small first aid kit. An Israeli bandage is, in my opinion, highly recommended: it is a one-handed operated wound and pressure dressing. Details can be found here.


• Emergency whistle (often integrated in the trail backpack)


• Mobile phone


• Maps (online and/or offline)


• E-card or insurance card


• Some cash


• Microspikes/spikes: these can be very helpful in winter and icy conditions.


• Folding poles for trail running


• Headlamp