Lower Austria Alpine Foreland

You will pass through Frankenfels following the route between the Eisenwurzen and Melk through the Pielach valley.

The River Pielach (from the Slav word biela, meaning "white") is formed by the junction of two smaller streams, the Schwarzenbacher Pielach and the Nattersbach, near the massive ruins of the Weissenburg. The narrow gauge Mariazellerbahn follows the windings of this quiet valley. Near Frankenfels, on the Nattersbach, is the Nixhöhle, one of the largest cave systems in the foreland region of Lower Austria.

The Ybbs formerly powered many hammer mills - the forerunners of the present day heavy industry of Traisen and Böhlerwerk - and the ruins of some of these early industrial establishments can still be seen. The Ybbs valley is now also a popular holiday area, with little medieval towns and romantic narrow gauge railroads to add to the attractions of the countryside with its abundance of wildlife, and the river itself, well stocked with fish. In the area around its source lies an expanse of unspoiled primeval forest.