BergeSeen Trail 21: Appelhaus - Jagersimmerl

Now you leave the karst plateau of the Tote Gebirge to the north – at the only place where this is also possible for mountain hikers. All other routes leading through the wild northern cliffs of the mountain massif are considered via ferratas. However: steep rocky terrain with steel cables and a metal ladder must also be overcome between the Rinnerhütte and the Offensee. On the (still very long) onward route to Almsee, you can admire the wild walls of the Tote Gebirge a little from below. From Almsee, you head towards Grünau im Almtal on the lakeside path.

From the Albert-Appel-Haus, you hike on path no. 235 through the rustic Henarwald in 45 minutes up to the Wildenseealm (1,521 m). Self-caterers find a small shelter there; between the typical wooden huts of the Ausseer alpine pastures, you see again to the distant Dachstein with the Hallstätter Glacier to the left. However, your onward path turns right and winds – now marked with number 212 – to the hollow of the Hufnagelwiese, which you reach after 30 minutes. In the porous karst substrate, a stream disappears there, which splashes a few meters further ahead through a rock cut – behind it reveals the Wildensee (1,535 m).

The path runs along its right bank, then you must climb a short but steep rocky slope. Behind it opens a friendly green high valley, where a little stream soon trickles. Past two junctions towards Rinnerkogel (see route 54), you reach after another 45 minutes the small Rinnerhütte (1,470 m), which is lovingly cared for by the mountaineering association Ebensee.

The descent begins with a short flat section passing a small karst spring. From the northern plateau edge, you see the Offensee in the depths for the first time. The path turns left and winds down over steep, rocky and partly quite slippery, but covered with dwarf pines and individual trees terrain to a scree slope. Over well-made hairpin bends, you reach quite comfortably the Rinnerboden with its refreshing spring. In the forest, you then follow a mostly dry stream bed, which ends under a rock wall above the abyss – after heavy rainfall, a waterfall roars here. To the left next to it, you descend over a short, stepped and well-secured rock passage with steel cables. Below it goes left and down next to the wall over a steep aluminum ladder. The descent route continues through steep, but partly wooded slopes; two short spots are secured with cable railings. Through a small gorge, you come to the wooded valley floor. A stream bed is crossed on boardwalks, then you hike on a flat forest road to the southern shore of the Offensee (649 m) and to the Seeau snack station. 1:30 h

Shortly before the lake, the sign "To Almsee" points to the onward path (no. 420), which however still takes 4 hours of hiking time. It follows the long-distance trail 04 and the Mariazellerweg 06 up to the Gschirrsattel (1,029 m). Behind this forest hollow below the Weißhorn (1,755 m), you reach a gravel road that leads through the long valley of the Weißeneggbach out into the Almtal. After 3 km, you leave the long-distance trails to the right, soon descend left on a path into the valley and hike beyond to another forest road uphill. This leads east again until you come down right on a hiking trail to the southern shore of the Almsee (591 m). 4:00 h

Past the Deutsches Haus and the Seehaus inn (bus stop), you reach the east shore path. On this, you hike beside Almsee to the Seeklause at the hunting lodge Schwarzenbrunn (bus stop). Next to the alpine pasture, it goes out to the Jagersimmerl (577 m) in the Habernau. 1:00 h

At Jagersimmerl, you can stay in an apartment from 2 nights. As alternatives (also for 1 night) the following accommodations down-valley can be named: JUFA Hotel Almtal, Landgut Oberschwiebel, Pension Wanderruh

Summit detour: to the Rinnerkogel (2,012 m) – see route G9, page 257.

Note: Bus connection (line 534) from Almsee to Grünau im Almtal station. Or with the Salzkammergut Shuttle Service, Route 60 from the Hetzau or Almsee stop to Grünau im Almtal station or Almtalerhaus – order at least 1 hour in advance (Tel. 050 422 422).

• In alpine terrain, beware of danger from rockfall.


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


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


• Cows on 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! In case of threatening gestures (scraping, stamping) walk slowly backwards (do not turn your back). Dogs must be on a leash and are not allowed to bark at or chase cows. In case of an attack, you must definitely let them off the leash.

For all stages you need hiking or mountaineering shoes with profile rubber soles as well as wind- and waterproof clothing.

Spare clothes for changing and a small first-aid kit should also be in the backpack. How much provisions you pack depends on the number of catering options. You should definitely take enough to drink. Telescopic poles are especially helpful when going downhill.

With friendly provision of the text by KOMPASS publishing house and Wolfgang Heitzmann.

More information at trail.salzkammergut.at