Michelbach Elsbeere Trail

Popis

Already at the parking lot, a stately Elsbeere tree welcomes us next to the shed – a stylish beginning. On the ascent to "Prinz," we enjoy particularly beautiful solitary Elsbeere trees – especially the mighty Elsbeere on the house meadow soon after the start, looking east – a classic seasonal tree. A bit higher on the Prinz meadow, it becomes clear how well cared for even older specimens are – marked by windbreak and age, a "couple" of trees is well treated and tended next to the access road. Just before the "Auf der Prinz" homestead, we can observe all four Sorbus species – Elsbeere, speierling, mountain ash, and rowan – beautifully signposted, with young trees lined up next to the access road. Shortly after the property, a rest bench invites to pause – naturally next to a young Sorbus torminalis. The route is a joy for any hiking heart: the ridge trail from the Hegerberg saddle over the monastery to the Kranawettberg offers magnificent near and distant views; the Wiesenwienerwald shows itself at its best. Rows of cornelian cherry and Elsbeere shrubs during the descent over the Kranawettberg resemble a genuine "schnaps biotope" ((c) Bernhard Baumgartner) – both fruit species provide the most sought-after fine brandies. These brandies can be tasted at farmers Rotteneder, Vonwald, and Mayer, where you can also learn more about the Elsbeere.

Výchozí bod trasy

Parking lot at the "Hausbauer" property of the Vonwald family (3074 Michelbach, Kropfsdorf 14)

Cílový bod trasy

Starting point (circular route)

Popis trasy Michelbach Elsbeere Trail

The Michelbach Elsbeere Trail begins at the Hausbauer property of the Vonwald family. From the parking lot near the tool shed, we walk towards the farm buildings; just before these, a signposted pear tree points the way up to the forest. The young Elsbeere trees in the pasture are grafted offshoots of the mighty solitary Elsbeere. We come to an access road which we follow uphill to the "Auf der Prinz" property. We continue along the adjacent meadow path, then turn left, following the signposted route along the forest edge and through the forest up to the paved road. Once there, you hike to the left towards the Almbauer property. About 300 m past the Almbauer property, we reach the cross at the Hegerberg saddle, where the Elsbeere Trail sharply turns right towards Kloster Hochstraß (404). As a variant with refreshment options, you can climb from the cross via the access road to the Hegerberg Hut. From the cross at the Hegerberg saddle, the path continues through a forest on a track, where after a sunken meadow path, we turn left towards a ridge. Along the ridge crest, we come to the dilapidated "Ecker House" and enjoy a breathtaking view towards Schöpfl. A bit further on, we reach a hairpin bend where the highest Elsbeere tree of this tour stands. The road leads us down to Kloster Hochstraß. Above the historic cheese dairy, which can be visited by appointment, a Way of the Cross begins, leading us up the slope in fourteen stations. Along the subsequent forest path, we arrive at a quarry from which the monastery was built, and shortly thereafter to the monastery cemetery, with stations dedicated to the "Seven Joys of Mary." From the cemetery, we descend to the Josefsheim and continue to the higher-lying monastery chapel with a strong linden tree. Continuing along the track, we walk through the monastery forest to the Salzer-Anhöhe located in the woods – a crossroads. Here we take the unmarked path to the right, passing the Urani property (below us to the left), and continuing along the ridge to a resting place. Following the blue/red markings, the path now goes past the Salzerwiese, later past the Kastnerhof to a warm forest edge. Always along the forest edge, we pass through a lovely little forest and already see the district of Kropfsdorf below us. The meadow path now leads us down the remaining "Kranawettberg" (= juniper) to the Starkl Chapel. We walk about 250 m along the main road to the right and return to the starting point of the Elsbeere Trail.