Rundwanderung Rindbach-Gasselhöhle-Spitzlsteinalm

From the Rindbachtal valley, a beautiful path leads through the Karbertal valley up to the Gasselhütte hut. A guided tour through the world of stalactites is fascinating.

This circular hike starts in Rindbach near Ebensee and follows the signposted path into the valley. The first nice stop is the small Rindbach waterfall (natural monument), then you climb higher on a well-maintained path and soon reach the forest road again, which you follow to the right above the Rindbach stream until the path branches off through the Karbertal valley.

Turn left and follow the wild ditch for a short distance, the forces of nature having made it necessary to relocate the path. The new route turns right and continues through the forest past the Lichteneck Alm until you reach a forest road again at around 950 metres. Here you turn left and soon come to the last section of the trail through the forest up to the Gasselhütte. The view from the terrace over the forests and peaks is beautiful and the innkeepers are friendly. After some refreshments, we make our way into the underworld. Wooden steps take us deep down into the magical world of stalactites and stalagmites. The guide from the cave association has many interesting stories in store, some of which will make you smile. The highlight is the Pulpit Hall with its almost lavish splendour of stalactites. For an alpine summit experience, there is the Gasselkogel, which can be climbed in 20 minutes.

For the way back, first hike back down to the forest road to the gravel car park. A little below, follow the road to the right across to the Spitzlsteinalm. Huge balls of wool can be found on the alpine pasture, or so it seems, but on closer inspection they turn out to be Scottish Highland cattle. They populate the pastures around the unmanaged mountain pasture. You should definitely walk up to the beautiful viewing point towards the lake, from where you have a beautiful view of Traunkirchen, Lake Traunsee and Gmunden.

On the marked Erlakogel hiking trail, you descend through high forest towards Rindbach. In summer, a refreshing dip in Lake Traunsee is a well-deserved end to this entertaining hike.

Characteristics:
beautiful, moderately difficult mountain hike on mostly marked paths, take a warm jacket for the cave tour
the hike to the Gasselkogel is only suitable for experienced hikers

Refreshments:
Gasselhütte, open from 1 May to mid-September on Sat, Sun and public holidays.
public holidays

Maps:
Compass No. 19, Freytag & Berndt No. 284

Internet:
www.gasselhoehle.at

Book tip:
Neuweg/Peham: Hiking with the whole family. Excursions with children in the Salzkammergut. Ueberreuter Verlag, Vienna 2009