Ybbstal

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.