Stage 02 Luchs Trail Anlaufalm - Laussabaueralm

Directions:
As there is a lot to discover on this stage, it is best to leave the Anlaufalm early. You start at the hut in a south-westerly direction and walk along the forest road for around 1.5 hours to Weißwasser, where there used to be a mining settlement at the bottom of the valley, of which only very few remains of the walls can be seen today. From Weißwasser, where there is a bivouac site, the trail leads up to the Blahbergalm via the old, beautifully laid out "Knappensteig". Bauxite and gagat used to be mined in the area of the Blahbergalm. Some remains of the former material ropeway and blasted tunnel entrances can still be found today. At weekends from mid-June to the beginning of October, homemade bread, curd cheese and bacon, sweet "Hosnearln" (hare's ears) and "baked mice" are served at the Blahbergalm.

From the Blahbergalm, follow hiking trail 475 past the magical Sieben-Brünn springs and over the Ahornsattel to the Dörflmoaralm. The magnificent summit backdrop of the Totes Gebirge becomes visible. Then it's a leisurely descent to the Hengstpass. At the Zickerreith snack station, follow the Hengstpass road approx. 250 meters to the left to the top of the pass, where you turn right onto the goods road towards Egglam. Before you reach the Egglalm, follow the forest road downhill to the Rotkreuzkapelle chapel. The trail then meanders downhill alongside the Laussabach stream to the pasture area of the Laussabaueralm. Finally, you head towards the alpine pasture building, which is located under mighty linden trees that are over 300 years old.

Variant for experienced hikers:
An alternative descent route from the Anlaufalm to Weißwasser leads along a narrow path, which is steep and exposed in places and can be slippery, especially in wet weather. This variant is reserved for sure-footed and experienced hikers. Head northwest across the Almboden and follow the signposts towards Hochschlacht. The challenging trail winds its way down 400 meters in altitude, following a rocky ridge to the Great Gorge. In several places, the path offers wonderful panoramic views of the wild forest landscape of the Kalkalpen National Park. Different types of forest and spruce stands infested by the bark beetle become visible. In the wilderness zone, the "beetle trees" are allowed to stand and die as nature intended. Over 30% of all forest organisms, such as birds, beetles and fungi, need old trees and sufficient dead wood to survive. Directly at the Schleier waterfall, the trail joins the Hintergebirgsradweg cycle path, which you follow to the left upstream to the Weißwasser bivouac site, where you rejoin the main route.

Tip:
More information at: www.luchstrail.at

It is recommended to contact the Trail Info & Booking Center before booking.

Offers at: bookyourtrail.com

Safety guidelines:
Emergency call mountain rescue: 140Equipment:
Sturdy hiking boots or good trekking shoes, hiking rucksack, water bottle, first aid kit incl. blister plasters, hiking map and smartphone, snack, sunglasses, sun cream, hut sleeping bag

You should also be well equipped for changeable weather.

Packing your rucksack correctly makes things a lot easier: pack heavy items first. The water bottle should always be within easy reach in a side pocket. All items that are often needed, such as sunglasses, smartphone or hiking map, should be on top.

Additional information:
Booking center & general information hotline
Trail Angels GmbH
Obervellach 15, 9821 Obervellach
Tel.: +43 47 82 93 093
bookyourtrail.com

Info point Lower Austria:
Mostviertel Tourismus
Töpperschloss Neubruck
Neubruck 2/10, 3270 Scheibbs
Tel.: +43 (0)7482/204 44
info@mostviertel.at

Info point Upper Austria:
Alpenland Tourismus GmbH
Bahnhofstraße 2, 4580 Windischgarsten
Info office: Reichraming
Tel.: +43 7252 53229-40
reichraming@360alpenland.com
alpenland@360.com

Information office Styria:
Tourismusverband Gesäuse
Hauptstraße 35, 8911 Admont, Austria
Tel. +43 (0) 3613 21160 10
info@gesaeuse.at
www.gesaeuse.at