This varied circular hike leads to the historic
Pflindsberg castle ruins, a magnificent vantage point with impressive views of the
Ausseerland region and the striking mountain backdrop. The small castle complex, built around 1250, was once used to defend the salt deposits on the Moosberg. Today, the
viewing platform built by the Austrian Federal Forests invites you to enjoy the sweeping views over the region.
The starting point of the hike is at
Gasthaus Schneiderwirt. From here, the Jakob-Wassermann-Weg branches off to the west, leading to the waterfall and the
Pflindsberg ruins. The trail initially runs westwards for around 750 meters along access roads until it reaches the road to Lupitsch. Here it continues to the right, past the shooting range of the privileged Altaussee shooting club on the left. Cross the Trattenbach stream along the slightly ascending road. Shortly after a left-hand bend, the path branches off to the right.
The marked hiking trail now leads along a wide forest path through the coniferous forest. After a short ascent, a steep forest path branches off to the left, which eventually leads back onto a forest path. After about 200 meters, the impressive
waterfall of the Trattenbach stream becomes visible as it plunges into a deep, rocky basin.
Caution is advised, as the path above this basin leads over steeply sloping terrain. The trail continues uphill over a narrow footbridge through the coniferous forest. After the last ascent, the landscape opens up and you reach the Schlosswiese (“Gschlosswiesn” in local dialect). Keep to the right here and head east along the former castle path before climbing slightly westwards to the castle courtyard.
The
viewing platform offers a
spectacular view of the Ausseerland region. The descent is either along the same path back to the castle meadow or via a steeper path to the west. This leads over the still recognizable moat and rampart back to the castle meadow. The path runs past a game feeding station on the right and joins a forest road after about 150 meters. Follow this to the right downhill. From Zenzenbichl in the district of Lichtersberg, a paved road leads down to the connecting road, which you follow to the left back to the starting point.