BergeSeen Trail 23: Grünau - Gmunden

Description:
In the past, labourers took the “Glankerlweg” from farm to farm looking for work. Today, you can look for (and find) natural wonders there – and the prelude to the last stage of the Salzkammergut BergeSeen Trail. The route once again offers a wide range of interesting experiences – from the gravel banks of the Alm to the legendary Lake Laudachsee and the “home mountain” of Gmunden.Directions:
From the tourism office in the ÖAV mountaineering village of Grünau, follow the main street out of the valley to the nearby Raiffeisenkasse (bank).

 

Behind the bank, turn left onto the Flößerweg path, go past the swimming pool and over the Grünaubach Bridge. Continue along the Alm River for 300 metres until you cross the river to the left on a footbridge behind Gasthof “Einkehr”. On the other side, hike downstream on the Flößerweg through the forest and past the weir of the Redlmühle Mill. After 3.5 kilometres, cross underneath the main road in the community of Almegg. After an additional 1.5 kilometres on the Flößerweg next to the Alm River, turn left on Grubbachstraße and walk up to the Kothmühle (528 m) train stop. 1:15 h

 

Go left to the main road and right over the railroad crossing and then turn left after 250 metres onto the farm lane “Zu Brunn”. After 400 metres, turn right onto the forest trail and follow it until it joins the Schaumburgweg path. Continue left through the neighbourhood. Go straight ahead through the junction and on the following Mayrhofstraße for approximately 800 metres to a cross street near an airfield, passing a modern chapel. Go several steps to the right, then turn left onto a marked path through the meadow to the country lane “Hochbuchegg”, where you follow the sign to Lake Laudachsee (no. 413). The route ascends in serpentine bends up through the forest and meadow slopes below the Steineck (here and there you will find cut-through paths). This will take you to the Hochbuchegg Farm (742 m). 45 min

 

There the approximately six-kilometre-long journey to Lake Laudachsee begins. Follow the forest road (no. 413) into the forest and then ascend along a trail to the left. Starting at an elevation of 800 metres, you hike once again along a forest track to the hunting lodge in Schrattenau (981 m). Go past the fork and then immediately turn left. You can then – always following the signs to “Laudachsee” – turn right onto a path for a short distance. Finally, the last trail marker takes you right as you descend to Lake Laudachsee (914 m) – there you will find a dream view of the rocky triangular peak of the Katzenstein (1349 m) and the much mightier Traunstein Mountain (1691 m). Next to the marshy northern shore, you quickly reach the Ramsaualm, first mentioned in 1285, which is now a pleasantly recommended rest stop. 2:00 h

Tip:

Note: The Grünberg Cable Car operates until 5 PM (until 6 PM at the weekends in July/August, weather permitting). Current operating times: www.gruenberg.info

Note: Bus connection (Line 533) from Grünau to Gmunden (train station). Traunsee Tram from Seebahnhof Gmunden to Gmunden train station.

Safety guidelines:

• In alpine terrain, be aware of the danger of falling rocks.


• Through early summer, you may encounter steep snowfields or firn gullies – especially during icy conditions, there is an acute risk of falling and thus fatal injury!


• Due to storm damage, forestry work or construction work, individual trail sections may be difficult or impassable at times.


• Cows in the alpine meadows are often curious. Because they are nursing mothers, they develop a strong tendency to protect their calves. Therefore, move through cow pastures quietly, keep at least 20 metres of distance to the animals and never pet calves! In the case of threatening behaviour (pawing, stamping) slowly back away (do not turn your back). Keep dogs on a leash. They must not bark at or chase cows. In the case of an attack, the dog must be released from the leash.

Equipment:

For all stages, you will need hiking or mountain boots with treaded rubber soles as well as wind- and rainproof clothing. A change of clothes and a small first-aid kit should also be included in your backpack. The amount of provisions you should pack depends on the number of available rest stops. In any case, you should always take along plenty to drink. Telescopic poles are helpful, especially when walking downhill.

Additional information:

Text kindly provided by the publisher KOMPASS-Verlag and Wolfgang Heitzmann.

Further information at trail.salzkammergut.at