BergeSeen Trail 20: Gößl - Appelhaus
8990 Bad Aussee
Long and scenically very impressive mountain hike in high alpine terrain. You hike on marked, but partly narrow and rocky paths. A short secured section and crossing of a steep slope require sure-footedness and freedom from dizziness. On the plateau, the rugged karst rock demands sure-footedness. In fog, it is easy to get lost in the confusing terrain; in addition, there are some deep sinkholes directly next to the path – and in snowy conditions, the markings on the stones on the ground are not visible.
Recommended season:
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- Multi-stage route
- Scenic
- Refreshment stops available
The 20th stage of the Salzkammergut BergeSeen Trail leads into the high mountains. After a rather steep forest ascent, you reach one of the most beautiful mountain lakes of the region – and the high plateau of the Totes Gebirge. Its eastern part, located between 1,600 m and 2,000 m high, is strongly shaped by the "green karst": between rugged peaks, uniform depressions, and wildly jagged karst rocks, larch groves, dwarf pine fields, and rare alpine plants create green scenery. But one should not be deceived: off the marked path, the terrain is impassable and poses serious dangers.
Directions:From the Hofmann guesthouse at the roundabout at Grundlsee, head towards Toplitzsee into the village of Gößl. 150 m after the small church partially clad with wooden shingles, turn left at the signpost "To the Pühringer Hut via Lahngang Lakes" (No. 214). Up past some houses, then right over the village creek and immediately left again. Now you hike on the narrow Breuer-Franzl path through very steep forest slopes ("Hagl") uphill and past a water reservoir. At the Elisabeth-Breuer bench, you already enjoy the deep view to the church, then soon ascend next to a small creek and cross left to a forest road. Above it, it gets a bit slippery. At the junction of the path from Schachen, turn right past the meadow of the Gößler Schwaiber (1,113 m, view to Reichenstein) and over the next two forest roads. After the pasture at Kanzlermoos, the path winds through primeval forest ("lightning strike memorial") up to the Draußengatterl (1,380 m). Behind this rock notch, you briefly descend next to an overhanging wall (steel cable securing), then follow the ascending crossing of very steep slopes cut by debris channels beneath the Grawand (impressive deep view to Vorderbachalm). Finally, the path leads through a hollow behind the little pronounced Schafbühel to the Vorderen Lahngangsee (1,494 m). Its often emerald green water is overlooked on the right by the rugged Neustein (1,870 m), while next to the Graswand the Salzofen (2,070 m) peeks out. In the background, the 2,261 m high Rotgschirr is visible. 2:15 h
The "Ausseerweg" leads left over the lake and the small Lahngang Alm on the northern shore. It is a so-called riding path, laid out in the 19th century for blue-blooded hunters; some stone-stacked passages led like dams through the impassable terrain. On the right lies the Hinterer Lahngangsee in a 100 m deep forest and dwarf pine hollow; after rain, you can even hear the sound of a waterfall there. Between the Salzofen and the pyramid-shaped Elm (2,128 m) rising to the east, you reach the wooden huts in the Elmgrube (1,622 m). 30 minutes
There, you leave the path to the Pühringer Hut on the left (signpost "Am Abblaser – Albert Appel-Haus"). You now hike on path No. 201, a part of the Northern Alpine long-distance path 01, through dwarf pine alleys up to the Abblasbühel (1,860 m). In this saddle under the bare rock Hochkogel (2,091 m), a spring usually flows. After a (often dried up) pond, a path branches left to the 2,062 m high Wildgößl. Its crossing is indeed very rewarding, but requires at least an additional hour of walking. Shorter is the path No. 201 continuing right, which leads through the hollow "In den Wiesen" to the junction of the Grieskar path towards the Almsee. From there you continue left and around the Wildgößl to the meadow pond, which also often appears dry between grass and rocks (the Wildgößl path joins in there again). The path now leads 4 km westward, always gently up and down through partly rocky, partly grassy terrain, overlooked on the left by the Hinterer Bruderkogel (2,031 m) and the Wildkarkogel (1,950 m). On the right, the dwarf-pine green Große Woising (2,064 m) appears. In the distance, the exactly 1,900 m high Redende Stein finally appears, an "echo rock" with a large summit cross. Below it hides the Albert-Appel-Haus (1,660 m) in the Henar forest, an extensive and quite untouched larch stand. The shelter, opened in 1928, belongs to the Austrian Tourist Club, commemorating its founder and first chairman. Incidentally, the very hospitable house is supplied via a 6 km long material cable car. 3:15 h
Safety guidelines:- In alpine terrain, watch out for the danger of falling rocks.
- Until early summer, you may encounter steep snowfields or firn gullies – especially when icy, there is an acute risk of falling and thus danger to life!
- Due to storm damage, forestry work, or construction measures, individual sections of the path may be temporarily difficult or impossible to pass.
- Cows on the alp are often curious. Due to mother cow rearing, 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 never pet calves! In case of threatening behavior (scratching, stamping), slowly walk backward (do not turn your back). Keep dogs on a leash; they must not bark at or chase cows. In an attack, you must definitely let them off the leash.
For all stages, you need hiking or mountain boots with profile rubber soles and 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 refreshment options. In any case, you should take enough to drink. Telescopic poles are especially helpful when going downhill.
Additional information:With kind permission of the text by KOMPASS publishing house and Wolfgang Heitzmann.
More info at trail.salzkammergut.at
Paths covering:
further information:
- Multi-day tour
- Board possible
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
Please get in touch for more information.
Pratergasse 388
8990 Bad Aussee
Phone +43 3622 54040 - 0
Fax machine +43 3622 54040 - 7
E-Mail info@ausseerland.at
Web www.ausseerland.at
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1. The tours presented for hiking, walking, biking and road biking, mountain biking, motorbiking, horseback riding, climbing, cross-country skiing, and going on skiing and snowshoe tours etc. are to be considered non-paid tour recommendations and only serve as non-binding information. We have no intention of concluding a contract with the users of this website. The utilisation of the data does not lead to the establishment of a contract with us.
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The use of the data as well as undertaking (riding, walking, taking etc.) the recommended tours or using the network of paths occurs at users’ own risk and on their authority. In particular, users themselves are responsible for the choice of route, outdoor orientation, adherence to traffic rules, supplies and equipment for tours listed in Point 1 (e.g. bicycle etc.), wearing a helmet, estimating their own fitness, recognising dangers and maintaining an appropriate velocity. We exclude ourselves from any liability whatsoever for damages, in particular accidents, that occur whilst taking part in the recommended tours.
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3.Each tour requires good physical fitness as well as detailed planning. We explicitly recommend only taking the tours in the case of optimal healthiness.
We recommend that you conclude an accident and liability insurance policy. Use an onboard computer that displays the respective kilometres travelled per day and is calibrated for the front wheel.
4.Special for mountain bikers – Fair-play rules:
Mountain biking is one of the most wonderful outdoor leisure-time activities. Whilst biking or on a mountain biking tour, mountains and lakes, meadows and cabins are re-discovered in new ways. A couple of rules for fair play in the forest help to avoid conflicts whilst mountain biking.
a.Pedestrians have the right of way: We are accommodating and friendly to pedestrians and hikers. Upon encountering these fellow travellers, we alert them by using the bicycle bell and slowly overtake them. We avoid paths with heavy pedestrian traffic altogether. Take nature into account: We do not leave refuse behind.
b.The braking distance should be half of the total distance visible: We ride at a controlled pace, are ready to brake and maintain a braking distance half as long as the total distance visible, especially in curves, because we always have to count on obstacles on the path. Damage to the path, stones, branches, wood piles, grazing livestock, cattle grids, barriers, tractor-type forestry machines and authorised vehicles pose dangers that we need to be ready for.
c.Don’t drink and drive!: Do not drink alcohol when mountain biking. Take care at stop-off points (dealing with bike racks, dirty shoes or clothing).
It is obligatory to provide first aid!
d.Marked routes, closed paths and blockades: Keep to the marked routes, observe the blockades and accept that these roads are primarily for agricultural and forestry use!
Blockades can often not be avoided and are in your own interest. Biking beyond the intended path and outside of opening times is punishable and turns us into illegal bikers.
e.We are guests in the forest and behave accordingly, including vis-à-vis forestry and hunting staff. Whilst mountain biking, mobile telephones and music players are forbidden! Biking requires your full attention.
f.Avoid unnecessary noise. Out of consideration to the animals living in the wild, we only bike during full daylight. As a principle, we always wear our helmet (even when riding uphill)! Don’t forget emergency supplies: We always have a repair set and bandages along.
g.Don’t overestimate your skills: We should not overdo it when it comes to biking technique and physical fitness. Take the level of difficulty posed by the route into consideration and make a precise estimate of your experience and skills as a biker (braking, bell, lights)!
h.Close gates: We approach grazing livestock at a walking pace and close every gate behind us. We should avoid causing escape and panic reactions in the animals. Nothing stands in the way of the fun and athletic challenge in the mountains and forests!
i.Traffic rules: The general traffic rules (StVO) apply for all the mountain biking routes and we adhere to them. Our bike therefore needs to be in perfect technical condition and equipped in line with the traffic rules, including brakes, a bell and lights. We inspect and service our mountain bikes regularly anyway.
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