In the 1970s, Friedrich Herring-Frankensdorf gave the municipality of Grünau im Almtal the private access road to Hetzau. With one condition: the roads and mountain huts remain closed for four weeks in autumn, but hikes are allowed.
Large parts of the area now belong to his grandson Hubertus. However, nothing has changed in the contractual agreement. The rutting season in the Almtal not only belongs to the deer, but also to the hunters.
That’s why the Welser Hütte (1740 meters) has been temporarily closed since Thursday. It won’t open again until October 15th, until the winter closure comes into effect on October 26th. The Almtalerhaus will remain closed with immediate effect.
The Steyrerhütte was already ordered to rest on September 12th, it will not open again until October 4th, but then with a continuous winter season.
The Ebenseer Hochkogelhaus is only open on weekends until October 8th, then continuously until October 29th. The Rinnerhütte, located at the foot of the eponymous Rinnerkogel, also switches to weekend operation. The Mittereckerstüberl will remain closed until October 8th.
“No one will get back there”
There have been enough efforts in the past to make the “mountain climber’s village” of Grünau im Almtal a destination for numerous hiking tourists even in the golden autumn. “The municipality was always willing to find a solution that fits everyone. But the landowners who are associated with hunting are naturally against it. Nobody will step back in the future either,” says Grünau’s Mayor Klaus Kramesberger (SP). Hikes in the Hetzau are permitted, but involve a seven-kilometre walk to the starting point at the Almtalerhaus.
Hubertus Herring-Frankensdorf recently emphasized in a letter to the OÖNachrichten that “vihe weeks break would do nature good”. True hikers and nature lovers would appreciate the peace and quiet.
“The Kasberg should be taken care of properly”
There are also many unanswered questions when it comes to the Kasberg, the local mountain of the Grünauers. The state currently covers the deficit of the ski area (around one million euros) every year and has made future year-round operation of the mountain railways a condition for this. The municipalities had ten years to do this – five are currently left for this.
Nine landowners would have to agree, three are still strictly against it. Mainly because of the feared damage from mountain bikers. “We soon have an appointment with the competent provincial council. The Kasberg should be taken care of properly. It should become a year-round recreational area,” says Kramesberger.
Source: Nachrichten
