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Johnsbacher Sagenweg - The Wild John

Accessible by public transport

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty easy

Route 5,1 km

Time 1:32 h

Uphill 165 hm

Highest point 755 m

The bizarre rock monuments along the Johnsbach Valley not only bear witness to the constant changes in the landscape caused by erosion, but have always captured people's imagination. This is how myths and legends such as "Hellichter Stein", "Amtmanngalgen" or "Buckliger Schneider" were created.

The Johnsbach Legend Trail, 5 km long in total, was completely redesigned in 2010 in the lower section over a length of 1.5 km as the Legend Trail of the "Wild John".

At 10 stations, the story of the Wild John - a synonym for the passing Johnsbach - is first captivated by man and finally freed by dwarves. This liberation refers to the recent renaturation of the Johnsbach, which is now allowed to flow again where it used to flow before the stream was regulated.

Best season

January

February

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December

More information

from the direction of Admont: 10 km on the Gesaeuse federal road B 146

from direction Hieflau: approx. 14 km on the Gesäusebundesstraße B 146

From the Weidendom/Sagenweg car park we cross the main road and soon enter the forest on a path.

Here you can already learn about the history of the "Wild John". 9 more stations follow at regular intervals from the giant playground to the giant picnic area and finally the liberation of the giant by the dwarves. At all stations we are invited to actively participate and there are many surprises and much to be amazed about. After we have freed the giant, we just want to continue hiking and just enjoy the bizarre nature of this canyon-like lower Johnsbach valley. Along the creek we meet the "Hunchbacked Tailor", the "Petrified Schoolmaster" - all natural rock figures that have inspired people to adventurous legends in the past. After we have passed the rock gate of the "Silberreith", the last section of the path leads right over a steep path up to the baroque Johnsbacher Kircherl with the historic mountaineers' cemetery.

Stop by the Gasthof Donner and enjoy the shady guest garden, or continue along the Bible Trail, which extends about another 45 minutes from the mountaineers' cemetery — the view is well worth the effort!

Train: only SA und SO Bahnhof Johnsbach

Postbus Linie 912: bus stop Weidendom

Rufbus Linie 917: bus stop Weidendom

With the Verbundlinie BusBahnBim app, finding timetable information has never been easier: all bus, train, and tram connections in Austria can be searched for by entering locations and/or addresses, stops, or important points. The app is available as a free app for smartphones (Android, iOS) on Google Play and in the App Store.

In the Gesäuse you are mobile in summer even without your own car. One call to t: +43 3613 2100099 is all it takes: During operating hours, the Gesäuse shared taxi will take you to any destination in the Gesäuse - without any timetable or stops. Www.gesaeuse.at/mobil

Car park Weidendom/Sagenweg near Johnsbach junction

Gesäuse Tourism Association

Hauptstraße 35, 8911 Admont, Austria
t. +43 3613 2116010
Email: info@gesaeuse.at

www.gesaeuse.at

www.donnerwirt.a