BergeSeen Trail 23: Grünau - Gmunden

Once, servants walked on the "Glankerlweg" from farm to farm to ask for work. Today, people look for (and find) nature experiences there – and the start of the last stage of the Salzkammergut BergeSeen Trail. And this stage also offers a whole series of interesting points of experience – from the gravel banks of the alpine pasture, over the legendary Laudachsee, to the "local mountain" of Gmunden.

From the tourism office in the ÖAV mountaineering village Grünau, follow the main street downstream to the nearby Raiffeisen bank.

Behind it, turn left onto the Flößerweg, pass the outdoor pool, and cross the Grünau creek bridge. Walk 300 m along the alpine pasture until you cross the alpine pasture on a footbridge to the left behind the inn "Einkehr". On the other side, hike downstream along the river on the Flößerweg through the riverside forest and past the Redlmühle weir. In the district Almegg, about 3.5 km away, you pass under the state road. After another 1.5 km on the Flößerweg next to the alpine pasture, turn left onto Grubbachstraße and go up to the train station Kothmühle (528 m). 1:15 h

Left to the state road, beside it turn right over the railway crossing and after 250 m turn left onto the farm road "Zu Brunn". After 400 m turn right onto the forest path, follow it to the junction of Schaumburgweg and continue left through the settlement. Straight ahead across an intersection and then about 800 m on Mayrhofstraße to a cross street near an airfield, past a modern chapel. A few steps to the right, then left onto a signposted footpath across the meadow to the farm road "Hochbuchegg", where you follow signs to Laudachsee (No. 413). Through switchbacks up the forest and meadow slopes below Steineck (there are shortcut paths here and there). This leads to the farm Hochbuchegg (742 m). 45 minutes

There begins the roughly 6 km crossing to Laudachsee. On the forest road (No. 413) into the forest and then left on a path uphill. From 800 m altitude, you march again on the forest road to the hunting lodge in the Schrattenau (981 m). Past a junction and immediately left. Then you can always follow the signs to "Laudachsee" and detour a bit right on a path. Finally, the last signpost turns right down to Laudachsee (914 m) – there you will be rewarded with a dream view of the rock triangle of Katzenstein (1,349 m) and the much mightier Traunstein (1,691 m). Beside the swampy northern shore, you quickly reach Ramsaualm, first mentioned in the year 1285, which today offers a delightful stop. 2:00 h

Note: The Grünberg cable car runs until 5 pm (in July/August on weekends with good weather until 6 pm. Current operating times: www.gruenberg.info

Note: Bus connection (line 533) from Grünau to Gmunden (train station). Traunsee tram from the Gmunden Seebahnhof to Gmunden station.

• In alpine terrain, beware of danger from falling rocks.


• Until early summer, you may encounter steep snowfields or firn runs there – especially in icy conditions, there is acute danger of falling and thus life-threatening!


• Due to storm damage, forestry work, or construction measures, some sections of the path may be temporarily difficult or even impossible to pass.


• Cows on the alpine pastures are often curious. Due to mother-cow husbandry, they develop a strong instinct to protect their calves. So move calmly on cow pastures, keep at least 20 m distance from the animals, and do not pet calves under any circumstances! In case of threatening gestures (scratching, stomping), slowly step backward (do not turn your back). Keep dogs on a leash; they may not bark at or chase cows. In case of an attack, you must definitely let the dog off the leash.

For all stages, you need hiking or mountaineering shoes with profiled rubber soles as well as wind- and rainproof clothing.

Reserve clothes for changing and a small first aid kit should also be in the backpack. How much food you pack depends on the number of places to stop. In any case, you should bring enough to drink. Telescopic poles are especially helpful when going downhill.

Text kindly provided by the KOMPASS publishing house and Wolfgang Heitzmann.

More information at trail.salzkammergut.at