Naherholungsgebiet Grünberg

High above the beautiful town of Gmunden, the Grünberg offers a stress-free experience of nature with around 20 kilometres of well-maintained walking trails, an exciting nature trail and cosy places to stop for refreshments, such as the Grünbergalm or the Ramsaualm on Lake Laudach.

Since mid-June 2014, the new Grünberg cable car, featuring state-of-the-art technology, has been taking you safely and comfortably to an altitude of just under 1,000 metres, from where you can set off on easy and, in some cases, accessible walks to Lake Laudach, or – for more experienced walkers – on to the Traunstein, also known as the ‘Guardian of the Salzkammergut’.

In addition to the ‘Grünbergflitzer’ summer toboggan run and an adventure playground with a low ropes course, the new treetop walk has been open since the end of July 2018.

It is 1,400 metres long in total and reaches heights of up to 21 metres in places; the trail begins directly below the Grünbergwirt inn. After about 90 metres, you reach the first viewing platform, which offers a superb view of Gmunden and the northern shore of Lake Traunsee. The end and highlight of the trail is a 39-metre-high observation tower, from which visitors can see both the southern part of Lake Traunsee and the Dachstein massif, as well as far into the Danube plain and the Bohemian Forest.

The trail ends at the foot of the tower, near the gondola mountain station, which, just like the mountain inn, is accessible to all.

The trail is brought to life by interactive stations, such as educational displays designed in collaboration with local nature and environmental organisations and the Austrian Federal Forestry Office, which focus on the characteristics and unique features of the local flora and fauna. Alongside the educational aspect, there is plenty of fun and adventure to be had. That is why there are several branches along the trail leading to stations where visitors can balance safely above the ‘abyss’ and really get a sense of the trail’s height. These stations are not accessible.

The entire site is designed to offer an exciting and educational experience for all ages in an unfamiliar setting.