Great Türkenstein circular route

The Türkenstein is the most significant and most deeply ingrained historical monument in the Laabental population – interviews with locals about the events of that time should be part of the route – the booklets by Maria Stadlmann and Ingeborg Rinner from Brand also vividly report on this period (see literature). Only towards the end of the hike will we pause beside the rock memorial on this difficult ground; beforehand, we will gather impressions of the typical geology of the Vienna Woods as well as the charming, forest farmer-shaped cultural landscape.

Besides the historical highlight, there is much natural beauty and interesting features to discover. For example, shortly before the 'black cross' in the impressive spruce culture, we can observe old pear trees, a mighty sweet chestnut, and a stone spring as witnesses to the formerly located Hirschbach farm here. Another attraction is the unspoiled inns with excellent home-style cooking (currently no kitchen at Gasthof Glashütte) and the exemplary eco-protection hut at Gföhlberg as supply stations.

Route description:

Stocked up with provisions from Susi’s Kaufladen, the small grocer’s, head upwards on the asphalt road between Gasthof zur Glashütte and the guest garden. After 150 m, turn left onto an unmarked path, hiking uphill along a typical Vienna Woods trench. In front of a spruce culture, the path gently turns left; soon the picturesquely located estates Klein- and Großleiten appear. We pass these, maintaining the cart path, past a reservoir, up to the “Red Cross.” Following the white/green/white markings westward, the path leads toward Stollberg (signpost), we cross a forest road and emerge through a dark spruce culture onto Hirschbach meadow, where between two larches the “Black Cross” awaits. Continue along the scenic ridge, past a beautiful solitary oak, until shortly before the Stollberg rise the field path turns left; here we cross right down to the Gasthof Kreuzwirt.
From there, take the road toward Laaben, after Stollberg Castle turn right onto Gföhlbergweg. Immediately at the large, guiding linden tree again right toward Hainfeld/Bernau. The marking of the 404 path leads us up the ridge – wonderful distant views from the high meadow near Hochstand by the Sonnleiten estate (with chapel). Following the white/blue/white markings eastward, continue to the Gföhlbergsattel - a special section! Via a well-marked path ascend to the Gföhlberghütte. Again well marked, descend to Klammhöhe – from here, we must walk about 2 km along the road toward Kaumberg before turning left into the high plateau toward Schöpfl. Passing the impressive cross: "Trigon of Fertility," later passing straight ahead the event site of HellsKlamm, we hike on a well-developed forest road until the Stützenreit alpine pasture appears on the right. Before descending left into the dark gorge following the sign “Glashütte via Türkenstein,” we once more enjoy light and height. Through dark spruces, we soon reach a fairy-tale-like hut, the high and lonely Klamm 24. The forest quickly transitions into a picture-book beech hall forest. At the intersection with a well-developed forest road, a steep, stony footpath winds down to Türkenstein. From there, further downhill to the nearby forest road, the path now leads along the Klamm stream to the state road. The last 400 m back on this road to the starting point Glashütte.

Laaben, Gasthof zur Glashütte Klamm 6 3053 Laaben