Hiking tours around Hauser Kaibling

You want to relax away from the hustle and bustle and still be active? Then the hike to the idyllic Ahornsee is just right for you. The fresh mountain air and the quiet murmur of the water will help you collect your thoughts and relieve the stress of everyday life.
The route leads from Weißenbach/Kneippanlage (parking possibility), along the forest road. After about 30 min you reach the Gradenbach waterfall.

From the hunting lodge, the trail then climbs steeply over several steps through the forest. However, the path is laid out in pleasant serpentines and in between it leads more flatly over soft forest soil. Passing steep rock faces and scattered all along the way are huge stones overgrown with moss in the forest. Every now and then you look deep down at the stream that meanders through the valley.
A small alpine pasture with several small lakes, in which one can observe numerous little animals, testify to the fact that it is not far now. If you go over the last small hill, you will get a wonderful view of the Ahornsee.

At the edge of the path there are some large structures made of rusty iron, which are said to be from an airplane crash, but which happened a long time ago.
At the end of the lake, there is a small, untended hut with several benches where you can sit down.

Variation:
In the summer months you can continue hiking to the Stoderzinken (about 2 hours) and use the new Stodershuttle in July and August to get back to Haus /Weißenbach for free with the Sommercard.

Already as you ride on the gondola up the Hauser Kaibling (free with the Sommer­card), you can begin to take in the glorious views of Ennstal valley and the mountains. Awaiting you along the path itself are all kinds of information stations that shed light on sheep-farming up in the hill country. With a little bit of luck, you might even meet the shepherd, Simon, looking after the 900 sheep that graze on the Hauser Kaibling. The first part of the path drops gently, after which you make your way up a series of switchbacks to the Kaiblingalm at 1,950 meters above sea level. A pleasant forest path finally brings you back to the gondola station. Several benches and lookout points invite you to enjoy a pleasant rest from time to time.

My personal favorite, because you meet practically no one else throughout the tour. There is no marked path to the summit, and the trail isn't marked in any hiking guides.

The hiking taxi takes us to just before the Stornalm (not staffed). From there, we hike through larch and pine forests, with hunters' trails leading us through the countryside in the direction of Rossfeld. An occasional break is always rewarding. This high plateau is surrounded by mountains and feels almost like an alpine golf course. If you have time to be completely silent for 5 minutes or so, you might very well catch sight of chamois, eagles or marmots.

After a nice snack, the path continues across a steep meadow, through larch trees to the summit. The views are magical. Deep below lies the Ennstal, while here on this natural balcony we can take in views of the Schladminger Tauern and Dachstein Massif. And directly below us, you will even be able to see our hotel. We hike back down via the western summit of the Luserwände, the Rossfeld and Stornalm.

Unfortunately, there are no refreshment points along this entire hike. That said, a picnic on the Rossfeld or the summit is every bit as good as the best hut meal.

My favorite hike leads from the Riesachfall car park in Untertal, via a newly created trail up steep steps, to a breathtaking suspension footbridge and then the Riesachsee.

This hiking path can also be tackled by children in around 1 ½ hours. It's lots of fun to climb the steep steps. Also, the thunder of one of the most powerful waterfalls in Styria is an experience in its own right. Once at the top, a beautiful mountain lake rewards you for all your efforts. You can soak your tired legs in the lake, observe fish, skip rocks,... And the friendly mountain huts there invite you to stop by for refreshments. The forest path provides a fast way to return to the start .

Variant: If you prefer not to cross the footbridge, you can also use the forest path to hike up (also suitable for prams)

On the way back, we also recommend enjoying a break at the hut run by the region's former "Narcissus Queen", the Waldhäuslalm, an absolute play paradise for the kids.

This hike begins right on Sölk Pass at 1788 m (plenty of parking available). From the summit you have beautiful views of Grosssölktal, while on the other side you can look down on the Murtal valley. There are no refreshment opportunities during the hike itself, but there are plenty of mountain huts on the way home. At the end of August, St. Nikolai mountain rescue hosts a mountain mass.

The Freienstein is a relatively unknown, though beautifully scenic mountain at the foot of the Stoderzinken.

A beautiful trail up takes you along the Tree Horoscope Path next to Ackerl Farm on the Kulm near Gröbming. Along this theme path, you will find your own "tree of life" (based on Celtic lore) with info boards providing explanations.

Your path then continues through the forest to the Freienstein. The last stage to the summit is secured with iron stirrups and cables. You need to make sure you have good shoes and that you are sure-footed. Once at the top, you can enjoy glorious views out across the Enns river valley.

A different variant to the Freienstein leads from Assach across the Assacher Scharte gap.

Coming from Pichl or Schladming is on 1.604m height the beautiful Ursprungalm. The shortest trail 771 leads to an hour walk to Giglachsee, Preuneggsattel (1955 m) and the Giglachsee Hut.