The Vormauer Trail

A scenic mountain walk high above St. Wolfgang to a rocky peak with a comfortable descent.

The Facts

From the “Marktplatz”, the square in front of the St Wolgang’s parish church, walk up hill along the Michael-Pacher-Strasse for approx 200 metres in the direction of Strobl. At the Hotel Peter turn left and go up a narrow road past the Moarbauer Farmstead to a small crossing flanked by numerous maple trees. This crossing is called "Ahornplatz". From here follow the road to the right marked "Sommerauweg-Vormauer". The well kept path climbs moderately over meadows and through the forest up to the “Holzerbauer" snack bar. At this point you can enjoy the view of the Rinnkogel and Rettenkogel mountains to the south.

Continue from Holzerbauer along the wide path which initially levels off and the goes up again until you reach a small chapel, the so-called "Mauruskapelle" ( Maurus Chapel) Here take the "Sommerausteig", a steep narrow path to the left leading through the forest to the picturesque "Sommerau-Alm" (pasture). There are signposts with witty quotations along the way for children along the way.

Leave the “Sommeraualm” hut behind on the left and the path continues with various grades of steepness until you pass a spring and you now come to the first of the several “Vormauer” mountain chalets ( all private).

Vormaueralm:
At an altitude of 1,350 m/ 5,319 ft this beautiful mountain pasture has an area of 64 hectares (158 acres) and is jointly maintained by 7 farming families. This area contains 6 chalets and one private hunting lodge.

From June until September approx. 40 head of young cattle graze here. There is no inn up here. From the mountain huts the "Vormauerstein", literally translated as the : Vormauer stone, or peak can be reached in approx.30 min. Start from the highest hut keep to the left and follow the steep trail which leads over the meadow to the foot of the rocky peak. From here the peak can be reached via the natural steps in the rock.

There is a memorial cross and a larger summit cross with a “Gipfelbuch” (A visitors´ book kept in a metal box).

The view from this peak is absolutely breathtaking. As the south side is a sheer cliff, it provides an unimpaired view of the blue waters of the Wolfgangsee. Further south you can see the unequalled panorama of the Osterhorn mountain range, behind it Tennengebirge peaks and to their left in the background the Hohe and Niedere Tauern mountain ranges.

Turn around to the north and you have a view of the full length of the Attersee and the Höllengebirge (Hell Mountains). On very clear days you can see the mountains of the “Mühlviertel” on the border between Upper Austria and the Czech Republic.

Return to St. Wolfgang:
From the peak descend to near the highest hut. Turn left and you will find the wide "Vormaueralmweg" which winds down to the Ahornplatz above St. Wolfgang. All along way there are many places which you can stop and admire the beautiful scenery of the Wolfgangsee and it’s mountains.

Alternative descent:
If you feel energetic enough and want to see a romantic mountain lake you can choose an alternative route which will add approx 45 min. to your walking time. From the Vormaueralm across the meadows go along path No. 27 to the northwest and after approx 30 min. you will reach the Mönichsee lake.

The Mönichsee Lake:
Is nearly a perfect circle and lies at an altitude of 1,300 m (5 122 ft) covering an area of 3 hectares (7.5 acres). The shore of the lake is very steep and high and there is no visible drainage. This geological phenomenon is known as karstdoline. Due to its altitude and as it is in the shade the lake is often frozen over until June. Originally there were two kinds of dwarfed native fish here and attempts to breed trout here were not very successful.

From the Mönichsee lake go down the steep and narrow path in a south-easterly direction on the Auerriesenalm where there is a private hunting lodge. From there the gravelled forestry road leads back to St. Wolfgang and approx. 800 yards to the west of the parish church.

Wolfgangsee Tourismus Gesellschaft
Au 140
5360 St. Wolfgang
Tel.: +43(0)6138/8003
Fax: +43(0)6138/8003-81
info@wolfgangsee.at
www.wolfgangsee.at