BergeSeen Trail A2: Nussdorf - Unterach

That this stage of the regional trail Attersee always heads south is also confirmed by a small natural wonder just before the destination: the sweet chestnut forest of Unterach – the only one north of the Alps where the spiny fruits reach full ripeness. The reason is the mild climate south of Attersee, which also ensures many pleasant hiking days. There are more nature experiences on this route, for example at the Egelsee, which was formed after the end of the last ice age as a "dead ice hole".

From the tourist office on Dorfstraße in Nussdorf am Attersee, walk back on Wildholzweg passing over the Anger and the Oberdorf, then turn left up to Pfarrer-Salettl (wonderful view over the town and the lake up to the Höllengebirge). Continue on the signposted Attersee-Westwanderweg, which leads through the forest slopes beneath Reiter Gupf (881 m) and below the snack station Dachsteinblick (771 m) – in clear weather this spot fully lives up to its name. After 1:00 hour, descending left, you reach the paved Limbergstraße, which you follow uphill for about 200 m to the right. Below the Limberg farmstead, go left again downwards and beside the Dexelbach to the forest edge above the hamlet of Zell. Continue right with ups and downs above Attersee, over the wild Parschallenbach to the scattered farms of Ramsau above Stockwinkl. There, a short detour leads to the legendary "Berimandl Stoa", where about 100 different walnut varieties have been planted. On the Westwanderweg, you soon reach an asphalt road and thus the turnoff to the Reiserbauer mill, dating from the 17th century (a worthwhile detour, an additional 45 minutes there and back). Now walk down the road 150 m towards Attersee and then turn right next to a small gravel pit onto the forest road Promberg (signpost "Egelsee, Unterach"). At the nearby forest edge turn left, then immediately right on a path into the valley of the Urfangbach and beyond up to the Modlinger farmstead. On the paved driveway going downhill, turn right to the Hausmann farm and above it take the left-turning hiking trail to the Egelsee (624 m). Duration: 1:45 hours.

From the south shore of the strictly protected moor water on a gravel track over a grassy saddle to Hof Holzberg. There turn right twice, then go left on the hiking trail to the hotel panorama guesthouse Druckerhof (653 m). On a field path into the wooded east slope of Hochplettspitze, through which you now descend to the Kohlbauer and into the Menerweg settlement. After a short "right curve" over a ditch you finally reach Atterseestraße, which you follow 170 m to the right (direction Unterach). After the bridge over the Schneiderbach, the "Waldlehrpfad" signpost points right up into the Unterach sweet chestnut forest (520 m). From the front area of the forest trail, go left down to the bypass road. After crossing it, you reach the town centre of Unterach am Attersee (477 m) via Leitnergasse. Duration: 2:15 hours.

• In alpine terrain, be aware of the danger of falling rocks.


• Through early summer, you may encounter steep snowfields or firn gullies – especially during icy conditions, there is an acute risk of falling and thus fatal injury!


• Due to storm damage, forestry work or construction work, individual trail sections may be difficult or impassable at times.


• Cows in the alpine meadows are often curious. Because they are nursing mothers, they develop a strong tendency to protect their calves. Therefore, move through cow pastures quietly, keep at least 20 metres of distance to the animals and never pet calves! In the case of threatening behaviour (pawing, stamping) slowly back away (do not turn your back). Keep dogs on a leash. They must not bark at or chase cows. In the case of an attack, the dog must be released from the leash.

For all stages, you will need hiking or mountain boots with treaded rubber soles as well as wind- and rainproof clothing. A change of clothes and a small first-aid kit should also be included in your backpack. The amount of provisions you should pack depends on the number of available rest stops. In any case, you should always take along plenty to drink. Telescopic poles are helpful, especially when walking downhill.

With the kind provision of the text by the KOMPASS publishing house and Wolfgang Heitzmann.

Further information at trail.salzkammergut.at