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.