Michelbach Elsbeere Trail

The hiking trail runs almost entirely away from busy roads; only the last 250 meters lead back over the L132 to the starting point.

Normal hiking equipment

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.

Parking lot near the tool shed close to the "Hausbauer" property, which lies directly on the access road "Im Graben" about 50 m east of the farmstead (Kropfsdorf 14)

From the Böheimkirchen motorway exit (A1), take the L110 towards Kasten-Stössing-Michelbach and then turn right over the bridge onto the L132 towards Michelbach, following the road to the district of Kropfsdorf in the municipality of Michelbach. Here, follow the signs to the starting point located on the left side.

From the Gölsental, turn onto the L132 towards Michelbach-Böheimkirchen at Rohrbach and follow the road to the "Hausbauer" property located on the right side in Kropfsdorf.

By regional train from St. Pölten or Vienna West to Böheimkirchen. By ÖBB bus to Michelbach, stop Kropfsdorf, then walk about 500 m back along the L132

Guided tours are offered or can be arranged through the association's website: www.ElsbeerReich.at – well worth it. A special experience is a hike at the time of Elsbeere blossom (around the 2nd week of May, 1 to 2 weeks after the pear blossom) and of course at harvest time from the end of September – best to inquire in advance.

At the starting point, the "Hausbauer" property of the Vonwald family, you can book an Elsbeere picnic backpack, which sweetens the hike to the Hegerberg with Elsbeere delicacies and the related picnic equipment. (Advance reservation with Mrs. Vonwald at least one day prior at T 0664/7611894 or vonwald@utanet.at)