Hike from the Gahberg to the Hongar

For me, the hike from the Gahberg to the Hongar is a wonderful alternative for an activity where you want to do something for your body but don't fancy steep passages and thousands of metres in altitude.

I was out and about again, the last tour of the old year - as I did relatively little in terms of physical exercise in 2023, I wanted to change that at the end of the year and be out and about more again in 2024. The key phrase for me is „start slowly and don't overdo it straight away“. So my first goal was an easy hike from the Gahberg to the Hongar.

Directions and parking facilities

For me, the easiest and quickest way is via the motorway. Either take the A1 motorway towards Salzburg as far as the Schörfling exit, then turn left and follow the road to Attersee. You then take this road to Weyregg. However, if you are travelling on the motorway towards Vienna/Linz, stay on the A1 until the Seewalchen exit. Turn right and then left at the traffic lights - you are now on the road that takes you to Weyregg. Follow this road for about 5.5 kilometres and immediately after the Spar in Weyregg, in a bend to the right, a road to the left leads to the Gahberg (observatory). This entrance is signposted, follow this road for about another 5.5 kilometres.

Parking facilities

Up the hill, past the observatory and opposite the chapel is a small car park for about 8 - 10 cars and your starting point. If this car park is full, there is also a gravelled area just before the observatory where you can try your luck - but I have never had any problems with my car not being able to park due to overcrowding.

Route description and key data for the hike from the Gahberg to the Hongar

You start directly at the chapel on the Gahberg. The first half kilometre takes you further along the tarmac road, but don't panic, it will be a beautiful path that leads you to the Hongar. You then turn left onto a forest road, walk past a barrier and from here is the actual starting point. Turn right into the forest. This is the first of a few uphill sections. A beautiful forest path leads you uphill over hill and dale. But not for too long, you will soon have made it and from this point onwards the beautiful, leisurely part begins.

A beautiful gravel path leads you along a fantastic mountain panorama towards Hongar. From here you have a great view of the Brunnkogel and the Hochlecken, and you can even see the summit cross and the Hochleckenhaus with the naked eye. Again and again you come to small passages that lead you uphill and downhill. When you pass the Kreuzing Alm, you have already covered 2 kilometres, and you follow the gravel path for another 1 km. Then you come to the „steepest“ and most strenuous section of this tour. Over 1.5 kilometres, you have to cover 150 metres in altitude. But you even get a little extra for it: you don't just hike to the Hongar, no, you even pass another mountain. The Alpenberg, the highest point of this tour, lies at 976 metres and exactly between the Gahberg and the Hongar. 

You have already covered 5 kilometres. It's not far to the Almgasthof Schwarz. A great forest path leads you from here over the last few metres to the Hongar. Now you have earned a break. A coffee and something to satisfy your hunger is just the thing. Enjoy it and recharge your batteries, because don't forget, you're only halfway there. Well fortified, you then return the same way. For me, the only negative point of the hike from the Gahberg to the Hongar is that the outward and return routes are identical. 

Key data

• ✅ highest point 980 m
• ✅ Distance 13 kilometres
• 430 metres in altitude
• ✅ 4 - 4.5 hours return journey
• ✅ Grazing cattle fenced in during the warm months and not directly on the path
• ✅ Refreshments available (Almgasthof Schwarz)
• Suitable for children
• Suitable for dogs
• ⚠️ Sturdy footwear
• ⚠️ not possible with a pushchair
• ⚠️ Outward journey = return journey (I'm more of a fan of beautiful circular routes)

Refreshments and what else awaits you

The Hongar offers one of the best places to stop for refreshments that I personally know: the Almgasthof Schwarz. Friendly staff, delicious food and plenty of space. But the best thing is that even when they are closed or closed due to bad weather, a room with drinks and usually also pastries is made available. You can always get something there, self-service and there is a cash desk to pay - that's what I call service.

Opening hours (as of January 2024)

• Thursday and Friday from 09:00 - 21:00
• Saturday & Sunday from 09:00 - 18:00
• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday day off

In summer

For me, the opportunity to cool down and refresh myself afterwards is always a huge plus point on a hiking tour. The hike from the Gahberg to the Hongar is perfect for this. After the tour, you are right by the Attersee, where you can find a nice spot and round off the day in style.

For me as a photographer

The Gahberg doesn't just offer a great view during the day. It is also beautiful up there at night and very dark - which makes it perfect for star photography. I have often been there to photograph the stars at new moon. Here you can see the Milky Way with the naked eye under a cloudless sky. There is a good reason why there is an observatory on the Gahberg.

My summary of the hike from the Gahberg to the Hongar

I think it's a great day out. Whether with the family, as it's not too strenuous even for children, a varied walk with the dog or just for a nice solo trip. The Almgasthof Schwarz is a great place to stop for refreshments, which provides drinks and usually also good pastries on a self-service basis, even on rest days. You still have to climb a little over 400 metres in altitude, but apart from a somewhat steeper but short section, you don't really feel the difference over the distance.

In summer, you can make yourself comfortable afterwards and enjoy the starry sky on the Gahberg or take a refreshing dip in Lake Attersee before heading home. I can only recommend this wonderful hike and the best thing about it is that you can tackle it at any time of year.
So put it on your 2024 to-do list and share your experiences with us Sent from my iPhone

If you liked this excursion tip, then the Hike up the Großer Sonnstein - a fantastic view of Lake Traunsee be something for you too.