BergeSeen Trail 05: St. Gilgen - Mondsee

The 5th stage is also part of the www.4berge3seen.at route, a 4-day excerpt of the BergeSeen Trail, it leads from the Wolfgangsee to the Mondsee. The forest summit, which you can climb in between, looks inconspicuous but offers an interesting view. Before and after, you hike through quiet forests and well-kept farmland.

From the parish church in the town center of St. Gilgen (545 m) you walk via Mozartplatz and on Steinklüftstraße northwards to the B 154, which is crossed. Beyond it, you follow the Obenauweg for about 40 m, then turn left onto the signposted hiking trail. This leads through the wooded Staffelgraben to the rock face of the Plombergstein. At its foot, turn right, meet the Obenauweg again at the Plomberg property and follow it into the homonymous high valley. In its rear part, turn left again onto the path towards Almkogel. After a longer ascent through partly steep forest slopes, it goes right on a forest road over a ridge and further north until the path to Almkogel leads right. It brings you to the junction of the access from Krotensee and shortly after to another fork. To the right, in a few minutes, you reach the rocky summit formation of Almkogel (1,030 m); a magnificent view of Attersee, Mondsee and Irrsee rewards the effort of the ascent. 2:00 h

From the summit, you go back to the mentioned signpost, from which the trail descends right through steep forest to Thekla chapel. From there, it is not far to the Gasthof Drachenwand (498 m). Now the mountains are overcome and a flat hike to Mondsee follows. First, you stroll on the street to the beautiful double-doored Baroque church St. Lorenz (483 m).

Continue on the narrow street to the federal road, which is crossed. Beyond, on a farm road to the shore of Mondsee and through the settlement Schwarzindien. Then follows an avenue, then you have to walk a short stretch next to the federal road until you can turn right to the lakeshore. From the beautiful lakeside promenade, you reach the town center of Mondsee (483 m) via Lindenallee. 2:35 h

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


• Until early summer, you can encounter steep snowfields or firn channels there – especially when icy, there is acute danger of falling and thus life risk!


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


• Cows in the alpine pasture are often curious. Because of 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 behavior (scraping, stamping), slowly walk backwards away (do not turn your back). Dogs must be on a leash; they are not allowed to bark at or chase cows. In case of attack, the dog must definitely be released from the leash.

For all stages you need hiking or mountain boots with profiled rubber soles and wind- and rainproof clothing.

Spare 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 take enough to drink. Telescopic poles are especially helpful when going downhill.

With kind provision of route descriptions by the KOMPASS publishing house and Wolfgang Heitzmann.

More information at trail.salzkammergut.at