Auf dem Weg der Sinne zur Luisenhöhe

The “Path of the Senses” in Haag am Hausruck was opened in 2001 and leads for about 3.5 km through the Hausruck Forest. At 30 stations, hearing, sight, touch, and smell can be experienced in a playful way, including a listening funnel and a barefoot path. The highlight is the 32-meter-high observation tower on the Luisenhöhe, offering panoramic views as far as the Alps. Those who continue hiking will reach an approximately 400-year-old boundary stone, which recalls the former border with Bavaria. The starting point is at the valley station of the summer toboggan run, and along the way the Waldschenke invites you to stop for refreshments.

Since its opening in 2001, the “Path of the Senses” in Haag am Hausruck has been a popular excursion destination. It offers a unique combination of experiencing nature, sensory perception and knowledge transfer. The highlight is the 32-metre-high observation tower on the Luisenhöhe with a wide view in all directions. Those who walk a bit further will reach a boundary stone about 400 years old, which reminds us that the Hausruck forest was for a long time also a border forest with Bavaria.
Without our senses, we would not be able to perceive the world around us. This is so trivial that we usually do not think about it. All the more fascinating, then, to consciously focus on the different sensory impressions. The Path of the Senses invites you to experience nature in an especially intense way. On the approximately 3.5-kilometre-long trail through the Hausruck forest, there are 30 stations that encourage us in a playful way to sharpen our senses. For example, we can listen to the sounds of the forest through a special listening funnel or feel the forest floor under our feet on a barefoot path. Especially for families and children, the Path of the Senses is a highlight, as the nature experience is joined by numerous information boards that reveal interesting facts about the Hausruck forest. The bravest can let off steam in a high ropes course near the forest tavern. The end of the adventure trail is marked by a wooden observation tower on the Luisenhöhe, rising above the treetops. Once at the top, visitors are greeted by a platform offering an impressive 360-degree panorama. Depending on the direction, you can look far into the Innviertel, over to the Mühlviertel or across the entire Hausruckviertel to the Alps.
The ridge on which the observation tower stands was for a long time the border with Bavaria. Only in 1779 did the Innviertel come to Austria in the Peace of Teschen. Until then, boundary stones marked the Austrian-Bavarian border. One of them still stands about a kilometre from the observation tower in its original place. So if you want to walk a little further after the Path of the Senses, you can easily include this historic spot in a circular hike. On the so-called “Green Trail” we return to our starting point below the ridge.

Directions: For the Path of the Senses, there are two parking areas signposted above the village at the valley station of the summer toboggan run (currently not in operation). The trail is well signposted and clearly defined by the total of 30 adventure stations. It is divided into two sections: The first section leads from the valley station to the mountain station of the summer toboggan run, where you will also find the forest tavern Luisenhöhe and the high ropes course. The second section connects the mountain station to the observation tower on the Luisenhöhe along the Hausruck forest ridge trail.
Trail length: 3.5 km; Elevation gain: 150 m; Walking time: 2 hrs
Option: If you do not want to return the same way, you can extend the Path of the Senses into a beautiful circular hike. From the observation tower, follow the ridge trail further to the historic boundary stone. Shortly after the boundary stone you come to a junction, where you follow the signs marked “Kreuzweg-Runde”. Walking down the forest road, you reach the Green Trail, which connects Haag am Hausruck with Geboltskirchen and leads you back to the starting point.
Trail length: 7.6 km; Elevation gain: 165 m; Walking time: 2.5 hrs
Tip: Also visit the Haag Local Museum in the courtyard of the renovated Starhemberg Castle, which for a long time was a fortified castle on the border with Bavaria.
Refreshments: Halfway along the Path of the Senses, you pass the forest tavern Luisenhöhe, which invites you to enjoy a snack in the middle of nature. Several restaurants and cafés can be found in the market centre of Haag.

This hike is from the book “Hausruckviertel aktiv, Wandern – Entdecken – Genießen” by Andreas Mühlleitner.