Dammweg Round Walk (Schlüsselloch on the Zimnitz)

Lucky Places and the Schüsselloch (Keyhole) on the Zimnitz

Start and end point:
Tourism Office
Trinkhalle
Auböckplatz 5
4820 Bad Ischl
www.badischl.at
(47 ° 42'40 .30 "N - 13 ° 37'24 .30 " O)

Distance: 10.6 km (6.6 km without Schlüsselloch)
Walking time: 3 hours (2 hours without Schlüsselloch)
Difference in altitude: 170 m ascent and descent (with Schüsselloch)
Trail conditions : partly asphalt, some gravel, forest road, few steps

From the starting point, walk through the town centre, to the right of the main church (Stadtpfarrkirche) until just before the bus terminal by the entrance to Kaiservilla and turn left onto the Rechensteg. Shortly after the car park, cross the bridge over the Ischl to Jainzendorfstraße.
After a few minutes turn left and walk down to the River Ischl .From here follow the gravel path along the river towards Pfandl. After about 15 minutes walk upriver there is a slightly hidden turnoff. By going straight on at this point the circular walk is reduced by a good hour. For the main walk, leave the River Ischl along a narrow path to the right and walk straight ahead through a small area of houses towards the mountains. At a left hand large curve follow the fence of a forest game reserve. Keep going straight on a forest path until reaching houses on the Zimnitz brook. A short distance along the brook is a bridge from where the return route begins. However, continue a further 5 minutes to the Schlüsselloch (keyhole) which is a legendary place to visit on the face of the mountain.

On the way back, initially on the right bank of the stream, the path goes back and forth
(watch for the signs) until it reaches the causeway at the River Ischl. It is now a short distance upstream to the main road in Pfandl (church, pharmacy, ATMs, shops). In a few metres further, on the right hand side, there is a bus stop with return buses to Bad Ischl. Alternatively, to walk back to Bad Ischl, cross to the left on the bridge and follow the steps to the footpath (Dammweg) by the river. Follow this path, with just a brief interruption, right back to the centre of Bad Ischl.