Gaißau combines a place name documented from an early date and a specific example of blacksmithing with trails for a range of interests. There are also routes along the Mörtelbach, a mountain bike trail to Hintersee, and winter activities at the Wieserhörndl and near the Spielbergalm. When planning, you can decide whether to focus on local history, a route with a named destination, or trails and views in the hiking area.

Local History and Nature

The place name Gaißau is documented in 1241 as “Gaizzouwe.” Another specific detail in the history of local crafts can be found at the Stampfbichsteig: a blacksmith’s hammer and a small blacksmithing museum are housed inside the Troatkasten. This links blacksmithing to a named location and a specific building.

The forest discovery trail in Krispl-Gaißau offers a different theme. Its play and puzzle stations explore forests, animals, meadows and nature. Rather than focusing on a single historical object, the trail features a range of nature-related themes. If you prefer to choose trails based on their content, you can distinguish between the craft-focused point of interest at Stampfbichsteig and a trail with playful nature stations.

Hiking: From Easy Walks to High-Alpine Routes

The Krispl-Gaißau hiking area includes everything from easy walking trails to challenging high-altitude hikes on Schmittenstein, Schlenken and Wieserhörndl. This range makes it easier to choose the right type of hike: an easy walk and a challenging high-altitude hike involve very different levels of difficulty. The hiking area offers panoramic views of the Salzach Valley, the Alpine foothills and the Berchtesgaden Alps.

Two routes start at the Gaißau municipal centre and follow the Mörtelbach, but head in different directions. The Looswand circular hiking trail No. 75 runs along the stream towards Looswand. The Knogl-Schlenken route No. 71 also follows the Mörtelbach, then continues along forest tracks towards Schlenken. The destination and the route description are therefore the main points to consider when choosing between them. The Knogl-Schlenken route is also suitable for bicycles and e-bikes.

Cycling and Winter Routes

The TG26 Gaißau-Hintersee mountain bike route starts in the centre of Gaißau and passes through the Spielbergalpe and Anzenberg alpine pasture areas before reaching Hintersee. Its starting and finishing points, along with the two named alpine pasture areas, give the tour a clear geographical sequence. It differs from the two routes that start at the municipal centre, whose descriptions focus on the Mörtelbach and the trails towards Looswand or Schlenken.

In winter, the ascent to the Wieserhörndl leads from Gaißau to the Spielbergalm and continues to the summit at 1,567 m. Check the winter conditions on the route before setting out. Krispl-Gaißau also has prepared natural toboggan runs for another kind of winter activity. One of these is the route to the Spielbergalm, with a descent through snow-covered forests and an opportunity to stop for refreshments. The ascent and the toboggan run therefore offer different ways to include the Spielbergalm in your winter plans.

Discover more destinations: Annaberg-Lungötz, Puch Bei Hallein, Abtenau, Oberalm, Gseng, Rußbachsaag, Taugl, Hallein

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