Katzenburg Tour
moderate Hiking · Schladming
There is a legend of the treasure around the remains of Katzenburg castle
The legend
The legend tells us that the former lord of the castle amassed a treasure of gold, silver and valuable jewelry - nobody knows if through smart business or gainful raids. One day, the lord went to war, and was afraid to leave his treasures behind unguarded.
To protect the treasure from thieves and robbers he burried it below the vaults of the castle and also kept the key in a secret spot. Many years went by, but the lord never returned to his castle: he lost his life in battle in a country far away. However, the knowledge and mystery about the treasure has not been forgotten.
In dark nights when heavy clouds cover the Dachstein massif and rough storms go down on Schladming and Ramsau, and even the wild animals retreat to the woods for safety, some people say they have seen a mysterious creature among the ruins of Katzenburg castle: a tall, black dog with a golden crown, wandering through the remains of the castle, and having a peculiar key between his jaws.
It is said, that only in a time of great need a youngling with clean heart will be able to snatch the key from the fierce dog, and be able to lift the treasure for common welfare.
Gallery
From Planai stadium at Planai gondola you follow Augasse and pass by congress Schladming and hotel Falkensteiner until you reach the Rechte Ennsau road right next to the river Enns. Make a left, walk up to the street and cross over the bridge to restaurant Zirngast where you also cross the railway. Make a left there and follow the trail up to Hochstraße road and on to Ramsauerstraße road. Follow the side walk (ascending to the right) for about 100 m until you reach the turn-off of Waldstraße road (on the left side of the road).
At the end of Waldstraße road (at the barrier) you make a right and follow trail n° 13. This trail ascends fairly steep to the plateau of Ramsau and crosses Ramsauerstraße two times. Near pension "Adlerhorst" you reach flatter terrain again. You pass by the pension and follow Buchenweg road just before Reiterhof farm. The trail to the remains of castle Katzenburg turns off at the end of the paved road. From the ruins (only a few walls remain today) you take the same way back to Buchenweg road and make a right there. You follow the trail for about 30 minutes until you reach the turn-off to Schladming.
Now the trail descends and crosses Leitenstraße road before you reach the houses of Nußdörfl and continue towards Untere Klaus. At the Skihandelsschule business school you cross the railroad again and continue to Enns river. Make a right and follow the river towards the center. At the pedestrian bridge cross over the river and follow the trail past congress Schladming back to Planai stadium where you started.
Possibilities for a snack
Restaurant Freischwimmer, Sporthotel Royer, Restaurant Zirngast
POIs
Ruins of castle Katzenburg - some walls of the former castle "Statteneck" still remain.
In the town the Citybus connects to Planai stadium. From Rohrmoos the buses of Planai-Hochwurzen, and from Ramsau the buses of Ramsauer Verkehrsbetriebe connect to Planai stadium.
- Planai-Hochwurzen buses (including Citybus): www.planaibus.at
- Ramsauer Verkehrsbetriebe buses: www.rvb.at
Changes in weather patterns, quick falls in temperature, thunderstorms, wind, fog and snow are some of the dangers that can be encountered on a hiking tour. Hosts of alpine huts and mountain refuges have a lot of experience in the mountains and can give good advice about weather and the trails. Poor equipment, overestimation of one's own capabilities, carelessness, poor personal constitution and/or wrong judgement can lead to critical situations. In case of thunderstorms: avoid summits, ridges and steel ropes.
GPS data and orienteering
Available GPS data - just like hiking maps - is only a guidance for orientation and can never depict a trail exactly with all its details. Especially at dangerous spots it is essential to judge on site how to proceed.
In an emergency please call:
- 140 - for Alpine emergencies (all over Austria)
- 112 - European GSM emergency number
A well-packed backpack is helpful and especially when touring Alpine terrain a tuque, gloves, a windproof jacket and pants are standard equipment. Good, waterproof shoes, sun glasses, sun cream and sufficient beverages are essential too. Torch light, a map of the area, knie and a small first-aid kit should also be in the backpack.
Todays remains of castle Katzenburg (formerly castle "Statteneck") were the center of a battle between the archbishop of Salzburg Rudolv von Hoheneck and the Styrian Duke Albrecht I. The battle was about land holding, but also about the attempt of Salzburg to extend its territory beyond Mandling. The castle had an important function at this time: its extend, the safe location with the wide view over the valley (from Mandling to Aich) made it a stronghold in this area - together with castle Säusenstein on the opposite side of the valley (remains at Hotel Rohrmooser Schlößl). The castle is first documented in the year 1286.
General tourism information: www.schladming.com
Info about buses: www.rvb.at
360° drone images
Get yourself an overview with our 360° drone images:
- View over Untere Klaus: https://vonoben.schladming-dachstein.at/sommer/index.php?S=219
- Hiking map ‘Hiking WEST’ available at the information offices in the region.
- Schladming hiking map, 1:25,000, available at the Schladming information office.
- Hiking map Schladming-Dachstein, 1:50,000, available at the information offices in the region.
- Hiking guide Schladming-Dachstein by Herbert Raffalt, available at the information offices in the region.
