Circular hike to the small Schönberg and the Moaralm

The circular hike to the small Schönberg mountain had been on my to-do list for a long time. I finally managed to complete this tour. It was definitely worth the wait. Not only was it more beautiful than I had hoped for. I also got a tip for a great circular route via the Moaralm.

The circular hike up the small Schönberg offers everything you need for a perfect tour. An easy start to warm up, a crisp passage for the body, a fantastic view to enjoy and a refreshment stop at the Moaralm. The crowning glory on the way back is along the Traunsee lake, where you can cool off in fine weather.

Directions and parking facilities

By car

By car, take the A1 motorway to the Regau exit. Then drive in the direction of Gmunden. At the crossroads near the McDonald's, stay in the right-hand lane, which leads directly into the village. Just before you reach the Esplanade, turn left and follow the road for about 5.5 kilometres until you reach your destination.

By public transport

From the railway station in Attnang Puchheim, take a bus to Gmunden station (forecourt). 4 stops and 28 minutes later you get on the tram. From here it is another 9 stops and 13 minutes until you get off at Gmunden Seebahnhof. From here you can get on the bus, which takes you directly to the Traunstein car park. The hiking bus runs on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays (even in bad weather) in the direction of the car park. From there you can easily reach the various access points to the Traunstein.

Access and exit possible:

Seebahnhof, Freisitz Roith, Landhotel Grünberg, Gasthof Ramsau, Das Traunstein, Seegasthof Hoisn, Umkehrplatz

Journey times:

April/May/June/Sept/Oct: 5.30 a.m. - 6.00 p.m. (last trip to the lake station at 6.00 p.m.)
July/August from 5.30 a.m. - 7.00 p.m. (last trip towards Seebahnhof 7.00 p.m.)

Costs:

* Ticket - one way: € 5.00
* Ticket - return journey: € 10.00
(incl. € 5.00 Gmundner gift voucher/consumption voucher)
* Holders of a „climate ticket“ & children up to the age of 15: free

Parking facilities

There is a turnaround car park directly at the start of the Traunstein, but you should be there very early as it is otherwise impossible to get a space. There are always public car parks just before it. But be careful, most of them are short-term parking zones at weekends and parking is not permitted in all of them - always pay attention to the signs and only park your car in authorised spaces.

The cost of parking at the reversible car park Status as of 1 April 2024:

5 hours ticket - 10,00€
24 hours card - 25,00€
48 hours card - 50,00€

Route description and key data for the circular hike on the Kleiner Schönberg

To the small Schönberg

You start from the Traunstein turnaround car park. The first 2 kilometres start very comfortably, perfect for warming up a little. A forest road leads you through two tunnels to the direct access to the small Schönberg. This is where the strenuous part of this tour begins. Short and crisp. For the next 1.2 kilometres, a beautiful forest path leads you over hill and dale, some 280 metres uphill. After 45 - 60 minutes you have made it and the summit cross is already within your grasp.

Just 10 more minutes and you have reached the first stopover. Now comes the only passage where you should be free from giddiness and where you have to „climb“ a little. This is difficult or impossible with dogs and should be done with caution with children. Here everyone should know for themselves and think carefully about whether it makes sense or is too dangerous! The view of Lake Traunsee that awaits you there is simply marvellous. Make sure you take a short break, enjoy the moment and recharge your batteries for the rest of your journey.

Continue to the Moaralm

Now you can decide whether the trip to the small Schönberg is enough for you or whether you would like to extend your hike a little further. I opted for the longer tour, which meant continuing on to the Moaralm. The route continues along a beautiful mountain path for just under a kilometre. Uphill and downhill, but don't panic, there's nothing to really get you out of breath. 

After this section, you return to a forest road. Stay on this road for the rest of the way. Now it's a leisurely 2.5 kilometres until you reach the Moaralm. Not only should you stop here, you absolutely must. Such a cosy hut, I could never go any further. I had a longer rest there and of course something to fortify myself, after all I still had 4.5 kilometres to go. 

Now comes the less exciting part of this tour. You can reach the rest of the way to the car via the forest road. But that would have been far too boring for me and the end of a tour should be just as beautiful as the main destination. I therefore decided to turn off onto the Miesweg after just under 3 kilometres. Now you have a great final spurt directly along the Traunsee. The last 1.5 kilometres until you have mastered the circular hike to the small Schönberg and can cross it off your to-do list.

Key data

• ✅ Highest point 860 m
• ✅ Distance 11.3 kilometres
• 550 metres in altitude
• ✅ 3.5 - 4 hours return journey
• ✅ No grazing cattle
• ✅ Very varied
• ✅ Refreshments available (Moaralm)
• ✅ Bathing facilities available
• ⚠️✅ Possible with dogs - but with caution and careful consideration (more details in the route description)
• ⚠️ Sturdy footwear
• ⚠️ Not possible with a pushchair
• ⚠️ No fear of heights - slight risk of falling at the viewpoint

⚠️ ATTENTION: We expressly point out that we accept no liability for accidents or possibly closed trails. Before hiking, check the availability of the trail and reflect on your own fitness.

Refreshment stops and what else awaits you

Moaralm

The 2024 season has begun and one of the most beautiful places to stop for refreshments has reopened for you. The Moaralm radiates warmth from afar and you can't help but stop in for a refreshment or a treat - here's a little insight into the Menu. I can only agree with a text on the Moaralm - Page Follow: „Nehmt's d Fiaß ind Hand, s is Moaralmzeit - Des güt fia de Kinder, de Buam und de Mad'l... - I bin wieda da, servus de Wad'l‘. 

Opening hours (as of March 2024)

• March / April 
  Open at weekends from Friday to Sunday in fine weather! Self-service chilled drinks in the fountain from 1 March to 1 November.
• May to 1 November 
  The Moaralm is open daily from 10 a.m. (and on Sundays and public holidays from 9 a.m. in fine weather).

In summer

For me, the opportunity to cool down and refresh myself afterwards is always a huge plus point on a hiking tour. After the tour, you are right by the Traunsee, where you can find a nice spot and round off the day in style.

My summary of the circular hike on the Kleiner Schönberg

I'll open the door right away. For me, this is one of the best tours I've done so far. I always have a few things that make a tour not just worth seeing, but almost perfect. For me, this includes: it should be varied, it should be a circular route and there should also be a refreshment stop and swimming opportunities. If a hike fulfils these points, it won't just be a one-off visit. So, as you can probably already tell, I was delighted with the circular hike to the small Schönberg.

There was a small minus point for me, the longer way back from the Moaralm on the forest road. But with such a great route, I'm happy to turn a blind eye here. Now to what I found particularly nice. A cosy start to warm up a little - I just love and need something like that. Once you've warmed up, you're really challenged on the forest path to the summit. That's how it should be on a hike. The way back along the Traunsee is perfect for cooling off before the journey home. Last but not least, the two best points - the view of Lake Traunsee from the summit and the opportunity to stop off for a bite to eat. Moaralm. You simply can't afford to miss it. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by ⛰️ Michael 🚴 and 🌱 Elyas 🏃🏽‍♂️ (@muatsdrawig.at)

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