Michelbach Höhenweg 1st stage

Description

The first section of the Michelbach Höhenweg starts at the Gasthof zum Kreuzwirt. Through a shady, fresh beech mixed forest we reach the saddle between Gföhlberg and Kasberg. The following ridge hike on the south side of the Pichlforst rewards us with the most wonderful panoramas and views into the Gölsental and the foothills, with Schneeberg and Ötscher visible. The uplifting panorama from the high meadow at the Sonnleiten estate over the Wiesenwienerwald must be experienced. The openness and warmth end abruptly when we immerse ourselves in the dark, damp Pichlforst at the idyllic Hinteregger Chapel. But we discover a variety of herbs, fresh green, ferns, as well as picturesquely moss-covered trees. The poisonous deadly nightshade and the equally toxic, seductively scented mezereon with their enchanting blossoms find good conditions and retreat space here (caution with children!). The path through the lush slope is adventurous—before we return to open terrain and soon reach our stage destination, the Grubbauer estate at Durlas.

Route description Michelbach Höhenweg 1st stage

The first stage of the Michelbach Höhenweg starts at the Gasthof zum Kreuzwirt at Stollberg. Heading towards Laaben, we follow the country road up to the Stollberg estate; at the following “Schlosskurve,” feared for its drifts, our path branches off to the right and we march straight uphill to the saddle between Gföhlberg and Kasberg. On reaching the Gföhlberg saddle, we leave the gravel road at the start of the hairpin turn to the right in a westerly direction and follow the meadow path slightly uphill. With a beautiful view down into the Bernau, we proceed along the charming path to “Sonnleiten.” A short climb to the hunting stand on the high meadow here is a must on this route with good long-distance visibility. Our path, however, continues straight ahead, always following the ridge; we walk past the Reisenegg farmstead to a rise featuring a beautiful service tree as a hedge tree. A look back shows us the forested peaks of Kasberg, Schöpfl, and Gföhlberg. The path leads to the icon-rich Hinteregger Chapel, which invites a short rest before we descend into the dark Pichlforst. To the right of the chapel, a forest road leads us back into the woods for a bit; after about 100 m, we quickly turn left downhill, arriving on a forest road which we cross, descending pathlessly through the forest to the next forest road. We keep left, heading west, and march along the forest road, which gradually becomes a footpath; at the next two forks, always turn right and downhill. After crossing a ditch, we again reach an improved forest road; here we hike downhill to the right. After a forest or hunting hut, the woods open, and we arrive at the Grubbauer estate at Durlas – the destination point of the second section.