Gföhlberg Eight

We start from the long-established, charming inn of the Lintner family to hike along winding forest paths at Gföhlberg. The first section runs through wild beech and mixed forests, interrupted by moist meadows that offer us views to the east (Schöpfl, Laaben). A particularly powerful place to pause is the idyllic Praschl Chapel. Varied points of interest are found behind every bend. Only on the connecting section to Kreuzwirt do we have to accept some asphalt under the hiking shoes – but this drop in pleasure is compensated by excellent home-style cooking. The second part of the tour offers distant views into the Michelbach Valley, Gölsental and finally a foothills panorama ranging from Schneeberg to Ötscher. Then we are already at Zigeunerboden, where according to a legend a young man encountered the “wild hunt” (see literature – “Zuag’lost und aufg’schrieben”). Here, in 2003, the exemplary eco-protection house Gföhlberg Hut was built. In the cozy wooden hut, one can linger or stay overnight; thanks to a lovingly designed kids' house, playground, and dog hotel, it is also suitable for families and dog owners. An ascent to the densely forested Gföhlberg summit (885 m, white/red/white marked ascent path north of the Gföhlberg shelter) offers a worthwhile addition.

Laaben, inn Wirtshaus zur Klammhöhe Klamm 46 3053 Laaben

Popis trasy Gföhlberg Eight

The starting point is the inn "Wirtshaus zur Klammhöhe" (620 m). At the parking lot, we find the first signposts towards the Gföhlberg Hut. Between the inn buildings, a farm road gently ascends to "Wallner Meadow" with a wonderful view of the Schöpfl Forest Mountains. Following the cart path, we reach a fork in the dense beech-mixed forest, where we turn right towards Gföhl / Glashütte / Kreuzwirt (signpost) and now hike through a well-stocked beech/fir forest up to the ridge. The path now turns over the ridge to the left – first gently downhill, past a Marian wayside shrine on a spruce, then gently ascending to the Praschl Chapel. After the chapel, we cross a fence, cut across a pasture (beware of dogs!) and follow the path downwards over the damp "Prückl Meadow" diagonally into a dense little forest. The path leads past a country house and a shell construction. About 100m after the shell construction, we ascend a meadow path on the left up to the ridge; a bench and a young service tree invite you to linger here. Crossing the ridge straight ahead, we quickly descend a overgrown cart path to the Gföhlberg Saddle. From here, we continue to the bend, along the gravel road past beautifully located country houses, down to Stollberg Street. The asphalt road up to Stollberg Castle and about 500 m along it leads us to the GH Kreuzwirt. Refreshed, we return to the gravel road – now we keep right after the large, well-signed lime tree towards Hainfeld/Bernau. We hike up the well-marked Vienna Woods long-distance path 404 to the Groß-Sonnleiten estate and its chapel located beforehand. A short detour to the high stand on the locally situated "Hochwiese" is rewarded with a wonderful view into the Michelbach Valley and to the Hegerberg. We leave the 404 and now follow, left of the Sonnleiten estate, the white-blue-white marking on a lovely path with beautiful views into the Gölsental and the foothills of the Alps to the Gföhlberg Saddle. Once there, we are excellently signed and marked, initially over a wooden path up to 2 m deep, leading to the Gföhlberg Hut (825 m). After a final rest, the path leads over a partly quite rocky old cart path, steadily downhill, again very well marked, back to our starting point Klammhöhe.