Short trip to the wonderful ruins in Scharnstein in the Salzkammergut - including a fantastic view!

The ruins in Scharnstein are definitely worth a half-day trip for families and ruin enthusiasts! A circular hiking trail and great photo spots included. 📸

Today I would like to tell you about our short trip to the Scharnstein ruins 🏰 in Almtal (Gmunden district - Salzkammergut). We were there at the beginning of November in a wonderful autumn atmosphere and enjoyed the short (stepped) climb to the historic castle ruins. One thing first: it was definitely a great trip and I will definitely be back at another time of year to take more photos. If anyone needs a motivational boost, there's a drinks fountain at the start of the stepped path where you can make a voluntary donation - and yes, there's beer too. 🍻

Directions & parking options for the Geyerhammer scythe museum in Scharnstein

If, like us, you are travelling by car 🚗, you have the option of using car parks 2 & 3 for the hike according to the parking guidance system. In my Komoot tour below, my route starts at car park 2, and you are of course welcome to use this pre-made route for your excursion.

If you want to travel by train, you can take the Almtalbahn from Wels or Grünau im Almtal to Viechtwang. 🚂

Check out public transport right now:

History of the ruins in Scharnstein in the Salzkammergut

As I'm good at telling stories, but don't have much to do with history itself, I'm happy to refer all enthusiasts to the website of the Museum Geyerhammer, to gain a little background knowledge here. 👩‍🏫

Entrance and circular route of the castle ruins

We started our little hike directly from the 🅿️ car park 2 in the direction of Lebenshilfe Scharnstein. From there, you follow the path for around 800 metres until you reach the aforementioned drinks fountain. ⛲️ We decided to turn right at this checkpoint and take the stepped path - another (circular) route via the forest road was well signposted and can also be used for this purpose.

The stepped path 🪜 is strenuous at the beginning, but not actually long. In principle, it should be doable for all fitness levels and is also dog and child-friendly. With a pushchair, the steps are no chance.

Immediately after climbing the first steps, you will find a chapel in the old walls on the right-hand side, which is also accessible. ⛪️

At the end of the steps, turn right and in a few minutes you will reach the castle ruins themselves. In my Komoot tour below, I have also marked points with photos - these will help you find your way.

You can complete the circular route by continuing along „Path 9“ after the ruins - you will also pass the historic storage room or storeroom, which was built into a cave. 

Brief key data

• ✅ approx. 4km circular route 
• ✅ Maximum altitude difference of 200 metres
• ✅ Dog- & child-friendly
• ✅ Great photo opportunities
• ✅ Suitable for all fitness levels (note: there may be steps to climb)
• ✅ Very good signposting
• ✅ Drinks fountain at the start
• Paved forest roads
• ✅ Sufficient parking facilities (please respect private grounds)
• ✅ Accessible by public transport
• ⛔️ Stepped path not suitable for pushchairs
• ⛔️ Drone flights may not be permitted (S-Zone Scharnstein)

⚠️ 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.

Season and time of year

The castle ruins are freely accessible at all times - regardless of the time and season. However, please do not underestimate the risk of slipping in winter ❄️. The leaves in autumn and the loose stones on the rocks that may lie along the path also require increased concentration when hiking.

This was the circular hiking trail of the ruins in Scharnstein for me

It wasn't my first time there - the last time I visited the castle ruins was 20 years ago. When I visualised the year, I was shocked to realise how old I am now, that I can already say something was 20 years ago for me. 👴🏼 Of course, I could hardly remember it and it seemed as if I had never been here before, but well, I was only 8 years old at the time and had other priorities - namely finding a cool branch and imagining it was a sword so that I could chop everything short and small with it. 🗡️

I wasn't so sure about the term „hike“ either. It's an excursion and a bit more than a walk, but it's almost a bit too little for a hike. As I said - it's a great excursion destination that you can definitely visit more often - but for me it's not comparable to a mountain lake hike and it doesn't have to be. 

For me, it was definitely worth the trip and I was able to wander around the history a bit.

Komoot tour to follow yourself

Further recommendation

I can highly recommend the Langbathsee circular route to all hiking enthusiasts. You can find my report here: Langbathsee circular hiking trail - always ready for a great photo in the Salzkammergut