Tours and route options

Two tours through Gschwand can be easily distinguished by their details: the lakeside trail and the challenging tour “The Challenging Tour – The Challenger”. For the lakeside trail, the distance, duration, surface and elevation gain are all provided. This gives you several specific details to help plan your stay.

The lakeside trail is signposted, rated easy and 27.00 km long. It runs over asphalt and gravel surfaces through Gschwand, has an elevation gain of 290 m and takes around 6 to 7 hours. The time estimate is particularly useful when planning your day: you can set aside a longer block of time while also taking the surface and elevation gain into account.

“The Challenging Tour – The Challenger” is 62.1 km long and passes through Strobl, Abersee, Brunn, Breitenberg, Gschwand and Postalm. At more than twice the distance of the lakeside trail and rated as a challenging tour, it offers a distinctly different route. When comparing the two routes, both the distance and the stated difficulty level are key considerations.

Views, nature and route

The “Vitz Sparber” viewpoint offers sweeping views over Lake Wolfgang and the surrounding mountain landscape. Another viewpoint is described at the Arboretum Nature Adventure Park: it includes a 20 m² platform above the Zinkenbach stream. Route Abriani 7 leads from Gschwendt via “Vitz Sparber” to the Arboretum and then in the direction of the Zinkenbach. The route therefore links the viewpoint with the nature park before continuing towards the stream.

The mindfulness trail leads from Abersee via Franzosenschanze and Gamswandalm to St. Gilgen. In Abersee, it passes the Gamsjaga bathing area. Bathing conditions may vary seasonally, so check them before visiting the bathing area. Trail details may also be seasonally relevant, so it is advisable to check the route before setting out.

Historical destinations along the way

Franzosenschanze was once a fortification and was originally built in 1809. On the mindfulness trail, the climb via Franzosenschanze offers natural scenery and views over the lake. This way, the route combines a historical connection with the described landscape views without requiring an additional route.

The chapel beside the Vitz am Berg farm was built in 1883 in memory of a farmer who died after falling from an apple tree. In Abersee, the Primus Chapel was dedicated to Saint Primus in 1934. The two chapels represent different historical connections: the reason for the commemoration is stated for the first, while the second is dedicated to Saint Primus.

Discover more destinations: Strobl, Hintersee, Seekirchen Am Wallersee, Sankt Gilgen, Michaelbeuern, Hallwang, Plainfeld, Anthering

Go to the broader travel overview: Salzburg-Flachgau.