From St. Lorenz over the Almkogel to St. Gilgen
The fastest route to this destination
From St. Lorenz over the Almkogel to St. Gilgen
FROM MONDSEE TO WOLFGANGSEE OVER THE ALMKOGEL (1,030 m), WHICH IS LOCATED EXACTLY ON THE BORDER BETWEEN SALZBURG AND UPPER AUSTRIA.
The attractively timed line 156 is a real blessing for this crossing; the approach to the starting point St. Lorenz is possible both from the Mondsee junction (bus 140) and from the St. Gilgen bus station (bus 150). As cozy as the honorable Drachenwand guesthouse at the foot of the rock wall of the same name is, the ascent soon becomes strenuous. Many stories and legends revolve around the Dragon Wall (1,060 m) with its unique hole in the summit ridge. From the ill-omened dragon defeated by the brave knight to the turmoil of the Second World War, which the writer Arno Geiger vividly depicts in his novel “Under the Dragon Wall,” a dramatic arc unfolds. But don’t worry, the really steep part of our route leads “only” to the neighboring Almkogel (1,030 m), after which the terrain becomes gentler and truly lives up to its name on the sunny south side, before the route ends in the summer resort St. Gilgen, perhaps with a swim or a visit to a café.
Direct arrival and details at: salzburg-erfahren.at
moderate
3h 0min
8.23 km
A to B
Sankt Gilgen
Seasons
Directions
From the St. Lorenz church bus stop it is only a few minutes to the unmistakable baroque church, which stands in the greatest idyll surrounded by farms and fruit trees in front of the impressive Dragon Wall. Trail 34 leads in 10 minutes to the Drachenwand guesthouse, then following trail 12 turning right to the Thekla Chapel. Shortly afterwards follows the Klausbach, which got its name from the large-scale timber rafting needed for the salt works in Ischl. The next 400 meters in altitude are steep, damp, and sweat-inducing, then from the Almkogel summit a fabulous panorama opens up. After enjoying the summit view, the descent follows trail 14 towards "St. Gilgen – Obenau." After a longer section through the woods, route 14 passes the alpine clearings around the Erbhof Obenau to a fork in the road. The right turn to "Steinklùfte" invites a spectacular three-quarter hour detour to the Plombergstein, but the path to St. Gilgen continues straight ahead. The first bus stop for the return journey is the Hollweger stop at the roundabout; even better is the St. Gilgen bus terminal next to the valley station of the gondola, as this also allows for a stroll through the town.
Information & contact
www.wolfgangsee.at; www.mondsee.at;
Mag. Christian Heugl
5400 Hallein
Photo credit: Christian Heugl
By public transport
From Salzburg main train station (Südtiroler Platz) by bus 150 to St. Gilgen bus station or by bus 140 to Mondsee bus terminal, then by bus 156 or 597 to St. Lorenz / Mondsee church (federal road). Return from St. Gilgen bus station or St. Gilgen Hollweger (roundabout) by bus 150.
Timetable information and download: Online at www.salzburg-verkehr.at or on your smartphone via the free Salzburg Verkehr app for Android and iOS.
Direct arrival and details at: salzburg-erfahren.at
Route profile
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