4 Mountains 3 Lakes - Stage 4: Mondsee – Fuschl am See

This is one stage of the Long Distance Hike in the Salzkammergut Lake District.  It leads from the centre of Mondsee over the peaks of the Schober and Frauenkopf mountains to Fuschl am See.  Here again luggage transportation is offered.  Please note that when conditions are wet, the Schober and Frauenkopf route can be dangerous.  Should this be the case, then please shorten your tour at the Gasthof Wartenfels and take the direct path down to Fuschl am See.

This tour starts in the centre of the resort of Mondsee and leads towards Schwarzindien along the lakeside.  At the silver-birch tree alley, cross the main road and turn up past the Culture Centre Höribach into an alley of horse chestnut trees.   This road leads upwards on quiet traffic-free tracks to a farm.  Here you pass through a farm gate (please close) into a wood and on to the area of Obernberg with another farm.  After a long curve on a farm track, turn left onto a forest track and then after a few metres right into the woods again.  This path then climbs upwards to a further forest track.  Cross this track and follow the wooded path up to Gasthof Wartenfels.   Here is an ideal stop for refreshments before one starts the tour up the Schober mountain.
 
After a rest one can climb to the Wartenfels ruins, a former strong-hold with expansive views towards Salzburg.  Return to the Gasthof Wartenfels for the start of the tour to the summit of the Schober.  The hike leads serpentine uphill with lovely views of Lake Fuschl en route.  Please be careful by wet weather as the climb is very exacting.  In the upper part of the ascent there is a wire hawser to hold-on-to for your safety.
 
From the summit one has a fantastic view of seven lakes.  The descent begins left of the shelter hut beneath the ridge.  After a short while one has the possibility to climb to the neighbouring  peak of the Frauenkopf.  Here too you will have expansive views of Lake Fuschl and the mountain range of the Osterhorn group.
 
The descent from the Frauenkopf is also a stoney path, partly over gravel fields – please be careful – until you join the hiking path back to Fuschl am See.  If in need of refreshment, turn back to Gasthof Wartenfels.
 
The route back to Fuschl passes through a typical mixed forest until one arrives at the golf course of Hotel Ebner´s Waldhof where the landscape opens up again.  Now it is not far to Lake Fuschl.  Take the opportunity to swim in the crystal clear waters of Lake Fuschl at the Fuschlsee bathing beach.