Der Trattnach-Ursprung und der Höhenluftweg

Geboltskirchen lies nestled between the forested ridges of the Hausruckwald. All around are only forest paths, nature and peace – a paradise for hikers. Whether a short loop to the Trattnach spring or a longer ridge trail: everyone will find their favourite tour here. Families love the nature trail with its adventure stations and the bubbling spring. History lovers discover relics from the mining era like the Gisela Tunnel. At the top of the ridge, the Wiedhack Cross awaits with a dreamlike view. The starting and ending point is usually the historic Kohlebahnhof Scheiben. Here you can feel history – and nature is always close.

Depending on how much time and desire to hike we bring, the municipal area of Geboltskirchen offers us the right circular tour. The conditions on the ridges of the Hausruck forest are ideal for this. From the Trattnach Spring Nature Trail to extensive forest routes, there is something for everyone. In the forest, we also come across interesting relics from the mining era.
Geboltskirchen is one of the central communities on the Hausruck forest. The village is surrounded on three sides by wooded ridges – as if there were only forest paths and no roads leading to Geboltskirchen. This alone, just by looking at a map, is inviting for every hiker and nature lover.
And there are indeed plenty of hiking trails in the forest – ancient connecting paths along the ridges, as well as Nordic walking routes and newer adventure trails.
Families with children will especially enjoy the Trattnach Spring Nature Trail. From here, the Trattnach begins its nearly 50-kilometre journey through the Grieskirchen district before flowing into the Innbach below Wallern. Hidden in the Grubwald, its water bubbles out of moss-covered stones. The 1.2-kilometre trail there is accompanied by various adventure stations that delight young and old alike.
We learn interesting facts about the river, geology and flora. A working water wheel reminds us that the Trattnach once powered hammers and mills.
If we continue a little further from the Trattnach Spring, we come to the Gisela Tunnel, a relic from Geboltskirchen’s active mining days. A locomotive with coal wagons stands in front of the tunnel entrance as if it had just done its job. In reality, it has been decades since the last train brought lignite to the surface. But there was a time when lignite mining flourished and brought the community enormous economic growth. Since 1785, lignite was mined in the Hausruck for around 200 years. Many people found employment here and the population of Geboltskirchen steadily grew.
At the Gisela Tunnel, we can view fascinating black-and-white photos in a display case, reminding us of the glorious but also hard life during the mining era.
After the Gisela Tunnel, the signposted Höhenluftweg leads up to the ridge of the Hausruck forest. Deep breathing is the motto there, as the marked nature trails follow the ridge for several kilometres.
A detour takes us to the Wiedhack Cross at 753 metres above sea level, the highest point on the ridge. Turning back towards Geboltskirchen, we come in the last section of the Höhenluftweg, in Roßwald, to a meadow slope where rare herbs and flowers grow. An information board designed by the well-known botanist Michael Hohla tells us about the biodiversity of this biotope.
The hiking trails all have in common that they almost all start and end at the historic Kohlebahnhof Scheiben. Where coal was mined, there also had to be tracks and a station for its transport. On a 3.5-kilometre circuit, draisine rides are still offered on the old railway line. There is a demonstration tunnel and in the station building a museum, where exhibits, photos and stories tell of times gone by.

Directions – Trattnach Spring Nature Trail: The starting point is at the Kohlebahnhof Scheiben, which is about three kilometres south of the town centre of Geboltskirchen at the forest edge. The wide, pram-friendly Trattnach Spring Nature Trail is marked and clearly laid out. Visitors can look forward to an informative experience all about water. For children, there are exciting adventure stations along the young Trattnach. The end point of the trail is the spring bubbling out of the forest floor, where you can also quench your thirst. You return to the starting point the same way.
Trail length: 1.2 km; Elevation gain: 20 m; Walking time: 1 hr.

Directions – Höhenluftweg: This extensive circular hike is marked with yellow signs bearing the inscription Höhenluft-Runde. From the Kohlebahnhof Scheiben, we follow the nature trail to the Trattnach Spring. We continue to the Gisela Tunnel, after which the trail climbs up to the ridge. We follow it eastwards and enjoy wonderful views at forest clearings. About halfway, we have the option of a detour to the Wiedhack Cross, for which we should plan about half an hour extra for the round trip. Back on the Höhenluftweg, we walk down the forest paths to Roßwald, where flowering meadows accompany us along the forest edge. We return to the starting point on the old railway line.
Trail length: 12 km; Elevation gain: 200 m; Walking time: 4 hrs.
Option: Since the Höhenluftweg runs along the ridge above the nature trail, you can also shorten its length. A marked junction on the ridge shows the way down to the starting point about halfway.
Refreshments: In the town centre of Geboltskirchen, the family-run Gasthof-Reiterhof Pichler looks forward to welcoming us. Here, dishes are cooked according to Grandma Rosi’s traditional recipes, promising sweet treats and regional classics.

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