The backpack is packed, the hiking boots laced, the weather report read and approved – everything is on track for a perfect day on the mountain. The journey also takes place by rail, out of the city and into nature – at least on the following five tours.
If you are not afraid of a little extra planning work and one or two additional kilometers, there are many worthwhile destinations in Upper Austria that can be reached in an environmentally friendly and comfortable way by train and bus. There is no need to worry about traffic jams and parking problems while reducing your ecological footprint.
From the leisurely hike in the Ausseer Land to the challenging crossing of the Hohe Schrott to the small via ferrata adventure in the valley of the Feitlmacher: OÖN editor Judith Pointner has tried out five tour tips with public access for you. Off to the train station, get set, go!
1. Pleasure hike through the Koppental
The freshly renovated Koppental hiking trail begins right at the “Obertraun Koppenbrüller Höhle” train stop, which can be reached in a good two hours from Linz main station.
The beautifully designed path winds its way through the Koppental between Sarstein and Zinken with only slight inclines. It is also ideal for families with children. About halfway, the Koppental shelter invites you to stop off with regional delicacies.
Leisurely walkers should allow two to three hours to reach Bad Aussee train station. From there it’s a good 20 minutes to the town center and the Café Lewandofsky-Temmel, where you deserve an ice cream. If you haven’t hiked enough yet, the Ausseer Land offers a variety of opportunities to stretch your feet. For example, the tour can be extended to Sommersbergsee or Ödensee as desired.
From Obertraun to Bad Aussee:
- Length: about 9 kilometers
- Altitude: approx. 300 m
- Starting point: Train stop Obertraun Koppenbrüllerhöhle
- End point: Bad Aussee railway station
- Refreshment tips: Gasthaus Koppenrast (koppenrast.at), refuge Koppental (koppental.at), Mostschenke Sarsteinrast, Café Lewandofsky-Temmel (temmel.com)
2. About the two sunstones
Anyone who has ever driven along the B145 from Gmunden in the direction of Ebensee on a beautiful Sunday will not have missed the parking lot chaos at the foot of the Kleiner Sonnstein – an annoyance that sure-footed hikers can avoid on this parade tour in the Salzkammergut.
In just 1:13 hours you can reach the starting point of the tour by train from Linz main station. From the Ebensee Landungsplatz train station, the well-signposted path leads behind the parish church up to the Großer Sonnstein (1037 metres) and then further via a short rope-secured point (can also be bypassed if you accept a detour) to the Kleiner Sonnstein (923 metres) high above Traunkirchen.
A hiking trail leads from the summit past the Sonnsteinhütte down to the Traunkirchen Ort stop, from where the return journey begins. On the way, the hiker is repeatedly offered magnificent views of the Traunsee, over to the Traunstein and the sleeping Greek.
Sunstone crossing:
- Length: about 6.5 km
- Altitude: approx. 820 m altitude
- Starting point: Ebensee landing place
- End point: Traunkirchen location
- Refreshment tips: Restaurant “Zur Post” in Ebensee, Sonnsteinhütte (sonnsteinhuette.at), See-Café Johannsberg in Traunkirchen (cafejohannsberg.at)
3. About the double Lottchen in the Almtal
In less than an hour and a half, the train takes us from the state capital to the beautiful Almtal. Directly from the Grünau train station, follow the signs to the Zwillingkogel (1402 m). The popular and promising summit in the immediate vicinity of the Traunstein is usually climbed from the Hauergraben, which is why the path from Grünau is considered the lonelier, but no less beautiful.
The GThe trail, which is marked but steep and narrow in some places and meanders through a high forest on the south side to the summit, should be avoided in wet or snowy conditions. After a good two and a half hours of ascent, including short passages secured by ropes, many will be surprised at the well-frequented summit. From there it continues over the long ridge in the direction of the passage. Motivated and sure-footed hikers can extend the tour over the Trapez and Steineck (1418 m) from there.
If you are already longing for the valley, descend here in the Hauergraben and finally follow the paved road to the Traxenbichl railway station. While waiting for the next connection, you can while away the time with a refreshing footbath in the nearby Alm. Alternatively, you can return to Grünau and stop off at the Almwirtinnen.
Passing the Zwillingkogel:
- Length: about 12.2 km
- Altitude: approx. 950 m altitude
- Starting point: Grunau im Almtal train station
- End point: Train station Traxenbichl near Scharnstein
- Refreshment tips: No stop along the hike
4. Eternally hatching through slippers
Those who tackle the crossing of the Hohe Schrott (1,839 m) between Petergupf in the north-east and Hochgglich in the south-west should be sure-footed, not afraid of heights and in good physical condition. You will be rewarded for your efforts with magnificent views towards Traunstein, Dachstein and Dead Mountains. Because of some demanding key points, only experienced mountain hikers should dare this tour in stable weather and dry conditions.
Because the Langwies train stop was closed last year, you take the Postbus from Ebensee train station to the Langwies/Traun bus stop. The fastest connection from Linz Hauptbahnhof takes 1:45 hours. You cross the bridge over the Traun and climb steeply over the Brombergalm up to the Petergupf (1616 m).
Almost parallel to the B145 – only a good 1000 meters higher – the path lined with mountain pines leads like a catwalk over the Schrott massif over the Bergwerkskogel (1689 m) and the Mittagkogel (1790 m) to the Hohe Schrott (1839 m), on to the Hochgglich (1784m) and then down to Bad Ischl, where you can comfortably board the train home again.
Scrap Overage:
- Length: about 17 km
- Altitude: approx. 1550 m altitude
- Starting point: Langwies/Traun bus stop
- End point: Bad Ischl train station
- Refreshment tips: No huts along the mountain tour, inns and cafés in Bad Ischl
5. Kraxl fun in the Feitlmacher valley
Those who like to go vertical will find a small paradise in the Ennstal with the Beisteinmauer (632 m), which can be reached from the Trattenbach train station after a good 30-minute walk. From the train station, follow the signs in the direction of the Trattenbach climbing center and get to the entrance through the museum village – the Trattenbacher Taschenfeitel production, by the way, is part of the intangible UNESCO cultural heritage.
There, the climber is initially spoiled for choice: on the steep wall, which is systematically covered with well-maintained via ferrata, beginners and advanced climbers alike get their money’s worth. From the “Little Rock” practice via ferrata to the “Mammut Route” (E) you can choose from a variety of options to get to the tranquil summit (632 m).
Thanks to the southern orientation and low altitude, short via ferrata tours can be undertaken here in spring and late in autumn. The well-frequented climbing park is also suitable for beginners. After the scramble, hungry climbers can fortify themselves at the Mitterhumer cider tavern not far from the start.
Climbing center Trattenbach:
- Access from the train station: about 2 kilometers
- Various via ferratas from B/C to E (topo for download)
- Arrival/departure by train to Trattenbach station (approx. 1 hour from Linz Hbf)
- Refreshment tip: Mitterhumer’s Hofstadl Heuriger
Tips for planning:
- Plan your arrival and departure with the ÖBB Scotty app or at fahrbahn.oebb.at
- tour planning with the outdooractive app (www.outdooractive.com) or Alpenverein app (www.alpenvereinaktiv.com)
- Check mountain weather and weather warnings before the tour! nachrichten.at/wetter
- search engine for mountain tours with public arrival: www.zuugle.at
Source: Nachrichten
