History and pleasure
Superlatives are often a cheap joke. Those who have to convince people reach deep into their bag of tricks and conjure up the "greatest", "best", "most beautiful". The Gesäuse needs no superlatives, for it is perfect as it is. But because there is no way around the truth, here are one and a half superlatives.
The Kölblalm is not only the oldest alpine pasture in the Johnsbachtal, it is also one of the most delightful alpine pastures of all. A visit to the Gesäuse is worthwhile for that alone. The Kölblalm is 900 years old. That makes it museum-ready - and it deserves the same watchful eye as a highly official exhibit of comparable age. And that is: as long as the view is not yet clouded by one or two schnapps.
Moo instead of music
So you should at least peek into the parlour and admire the old Rauchkuchl - before you make yourself comfortable again on the sun terrace. For once, the background sound is not provided by the music, but by the mooing of the cows: the Kölbalm has always been a dairy farm. Back to the schnapps. And the Steirerkas bread. And the farmer's doughnut. The Kölblalm is just far enough away from the starting point at the Ebnerkreuzung car park that you can already see yourself tempted to a compensatory reward.
A stone's throw to the Schwaige"
Well, bas"cally the approach is a stone's throw. You have to climb 100 metres through the Devil's Gorge. But we think: You don't have to be so strict. After all, the Kölblalm with its rich history as a former "Schwaige", a special type of farm on mountain slopes, also fulfils an educational mission. And let's be honest: you can also just enjoy yourself for once. Without any reason or superlatives.