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Path of Mindfulness - Spiritual Hiking Trail

Starting place: 4645 Grünau im Almtal
Destination: 4645 Grünau im Almtal
information: Road closure In der Lahn and detour in the Scharnstein/Pettenbach im Almtal area
Time period: 20.04.2026 - 30.07.2026

Description: Dear visitors to the Path of Mindfulness!

Due to the construction site for a power plant in the "In der Lahn" area, the "In der Lahn" road is completely closed between Scharnstein and Pettenbach and is expected to remain so until mid-summer (planned date 30.07.2026).

However, there is a local detour that leads past the construction site.

diversion information: From the Ranklleiten beer hotel, head towards the Almuferweg, but then turn right downstream towards the Weng district, turn left over the Almbrücke bridge and follow the signs for the R11 Almtalradweg freight route "Herrnberg" until you cross the Almtalbahn railroad again at the unrestricted level crossing and then turn right again onto the "In der Lahn" road towards Bruckmühle, Viechtwang, Scharnstein, following the signs for the Almuferweg.

Coming from Scharnstein in the direction of Pettenbach the other way round!

We ask for your understanding!

Short description:
Spiritual Inspiration & Experiencing Nature

The Path of Mindfulness winds through the gentle yet wild heart of Upper Austria on a 96-kilometer loop. Along the crystal-clear Steyr Alpine River, you’ll find yourself in the flow of walking and be moved by the mountain scenery. As you wander at a leisurely pace through the forests and meadows of the Kremstal, you’ll have time to reflect and turn inward. You’ll encounter places of power, spiritual sites, heavenly views, and moments that gradually deepen your mindfulness. More information will soon be available on the website and in the guidebook for the Path of Mindfulness!


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Quality of experience: ******

Recommended season:
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
Properties:
  • Loop
  • Multi-stage route
  • Botanical highlights
  • Faunistic highlights

Description:
The Path of Mindfulness

A trail that fosters mindfulness toward oneself and the environment through conscious experiences of nature and spiritual inspiration.


Stage 1: Grünau im Almtal – Almtalerhaus
17 km | 250 m elevation gain | 50 m elevation loss


Stage 2: Almtalerhaus – Klaus/Steyrling
20 km | 300 m elevation gain | 500 m elevation loss


Stage 3: Klaus/Steyrling – Schlierbach
23 km | 850 m elevation gain | 900 m elevation loss


Stage 4: Schlierbach – Scharnstein
25 km | 600 m elevation gain | 450 m elevation loss


Stage 5: Scharnstein – Grünau im Almtal
14 km | 150 m elevation gain | 300 m elevation loss

Directions:
Stage 1:

The House of Mindfulness in Grünau im Almtal is the perfect place to arrive and set out. You’ll soon find yourself by the river: the trail follows the Grünaubach stream to the Alm River, whose gurgling and glistening waters accompany us for many kilometers. The Alm River originates in the Totes Gebirge; you’ll hike along gentle riverside trails toward the mighty mountains. Along the way lies the Grünau Wildlife Park, home to brown bears and gray geese. Stopover: highly recommended! At Landhaus Jagersimmerl, turn into the Hetzautal valley and follow the road to the rustic Almtalerhaus, always alongside the stream babbling as it flows out of the valley. A short detour via the idyllic Ödseen lakes is also possible. The rugged karst peaks grow ever larger as they flash into view behind dark-green treetops, while everyday worries fade away as the first stage destination appears in an oasis.


Stage 2:


From the Almtalerhaus, the most alpine stage lies ahead, where you’ll be on your own for long stretches. You’ll need to climb nearly 200 meters in elevation to reach the Ringsattel—the pass into the Steyr Valley. On the trail, be sure to watch your step around the roots.....


Stage 3:


As you cross the banks of the Steyr River, you’ll immerse yourself in the fairy-tale forest that leads to the pilgrimage site of Frauenstein. The light shimmering through the leaves in the morning is magical. Perched on a hill, the church appears, housing a cultural treasure: a Madonna of the Protective Mantle on the high altar. Once you tear yourself away from the heavenly view in Frauenstein, the route continues to Göritz near Molln to discover the power of water at the Art Nouveau power plant at Steyrdurchbruch. Across from the emerald-green Steyr River, the meadows and forests of the Kremstal begin. At the Marienkapelle, the Prälatenweg trail leads to Altpernstein Castle. Gentle hills accompany you to the Grillenparz and its summit larch tree. Just lie down in the grass and enjoy the panoramic view! One last descent takes us downhill until the towers of Schlierbach Abbey are within arm’s reach, and we find rest and relaxation at the SPES Hotel.


Stage 4:


On this section, the presence of civilization is noticeably more intense: First, the trail passes through the abbey town of Schlierbach. Where farm roads wind between fields, the path below the highway briefly reminds you of the hectic flow of time. When you turn onto the Hubertusweg in Inzersdorf, the trail heads uphill again into the countryside. Before reaching the Hubertus Chapel, you’ll look back in amazement at how far your own feet have carried you. The Magdalenaberg parish church is the next highlight. In early summer, poppies blooming among the fields line the path to the church in Heiligenleiten. Back at the alpine pasture, a loop over the Bäckerberg leads to a mysterious spot where Tibetan prayer flags flutter in the wind: nestled within a square courtyard, the Gomde—the international Buddhist center—is the perfect place to reflect and retire for the night.


Stage 5:


As the morning sun illuminates Gomde’s paradisiacal garden, the final day begins with light footsteps. Your legs make their way downhill along hiking trails and might put down roots for a while just before the village of Viechtwang. Here, on the southeastern slopes of the Hacklsberg, a lime tree over 500 years old soars toward the sky as a natural monument, offering shade and strength. Passing the parish church with its onion-domed tower, we head toward the Alm River, which we’ve already encountered. We stay close to its crystal-clear waters and follow it through the village of Scharnstein. The Flösserweg leads back to Grünau im Almtal, where the circle closes at the House of Mindfulness. We can look back with joy, pride, and gratitude on a path that perhaps doesn’t end here after all, because it will lead us a little further in life.

Additional information:
The partner establishments are not always traditional hotels. Gomde, for example, is a spiritual retreat where the focus is on personal spiritual development, meditation, and community life. The Almtalerhaus is also not a hotel, but rather an Alpine Club lodge.
Starting place: 4645 Grünau im Almtal
Destination: 4645 Grünau im Almtal

duration: 27h 30m
length: 99,9 km
Altitude difference (uphill): 1.985m
Altitude difference (downhill): 1.985m

Lowest point: 399m
Highest point: 897m
difficulty: difficult
condition: very difficult
panoramic view: Dreamtour

Paths covering:
Asphalt, Path / trail, Gravel, Street, Other

Starting point: Grünau in the Almtal Valley
Destination: Grünau in the Almtal Valley

further information:
  • Multi-day tour
  • Circular route

Accessibility / arrival

Getting there

A1 West Highway:


Vienna – Voralpenkreuz-A9 – Ried/Tr. exit – Voitsdorf – Pettenbach – Scharnstein – Grünau im Almtal


A1 West Highway:


Munich – Salzburg – Regau – Gmunden – Scharnstein – Grünau im Almtal Innkreis Highway A8: Passau – Wels Interchange toward Graz or Voralpenkreuz A9 Pyhrn Highway (Of course, this also applies when coming from Graz) – Ried/Tr. exit – Voitsdorf – Pettenbach – Scharnstein – Grünau im Almtal


From the town center of Grünau im Almtal, follow the signs for “Haus der Achtsamkeit” or park your car at the sports field parking lot (Parking Lot 4, Grünau parking guidance system).


Public Transit

Directions / How to Get There


Here’s how to get to the Path of Mindfulness in Grünau im Almtal:


We recommend traveling by public transportation!


By train: From Wels Station, take the Almtalbahn (Line 153) to Grünau im Almtal;


There are numerous connections from Wels Station to the mainline trains on the Westbahn line (Line 101). The House of Mindfulness is just one kilometer (about 15 minutes) on foot from the train station.


By bus:


OÖVV Bus Line 533/534 Gmunden – Grünau im Almtal – Almsee, stop: Grünau i.A. Gemeindeamt


The House of Mindfulness is just a 600-meter walk (about 10 minutes) from the bus stop.


Salzkammergut Shuttle Service:


With the Salzkammergut Shuttle Service Route 60, for example, from May 1 through September 14—in the event that the Almtalerhaus is fully booked—you can travel from the Almtalerhaus stop to the Sportplatz stop to reach the House of Mindfulness (3 minutes). Please call the taxi dispatch center at least 1 hour in advance at 050-422 422 or book via the otaxi app. On foot: From the Grünau im Almtal train station, you can take a leisurely stroll through the village, either along the Grünaubach stream or along Schindlbachstraße, to the Haus der Achtsamkeit. From the House of Mindfulness, you can then walk the Path of Mindfulness along the Grünaubach stream to the Alm, and then hike the Almuferweg “Genuss am Almfluss” trail via the Cumberland Wildlife Park to Jagersimmerl/Habernau. From there, the trail continues through the Hetzautal valley to the Almtalerhaus.


Parking

Please use only the designated parking spaces at the trailheads and be considerate of private property! Thank you for your cooperation!

Travelling by public transport
Route planner for independent travellers
Most economical season
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn

Please get in touch for more information.

Path of Mindfulness - Spiritual Hiking Trail
Alpenland Tourismus GmbH
Stadtplatz 27
4400 Steyr

Phone +43 7252 53229 - 0
mobile +43 7252 53229
E-Mail reichraming@steyr-nationalpark.at
Web www.steyr-nationalpark.at/
Web www.wegderachtsamkeit.com/
https://www.steyr-nationalpark.at/
https://www.wegderachtsamkeit.com/

Vis-à-vis users

1. The tours presented for hiking, walking, biking and road biking, mountain biking, motorbiking, horseback riding, climbing, cross-country skiing, and going on skiing and snowshoe tours etc. are to be considered non-paid tour recommendations and only serve as non-binding information. We have no intention of concluding a contract with the users of this website. The utilisation of the data does not lead to the establishment of a contract with us.

 

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The tour recommendations posted were created with utmost care; nevertheless, we assume no liability for the correctness and completeness of the information.

 

We point out that neither the tour recommendations included on this website nor the associated data and information were posted by us, but rather by third parties (Art. 16 Austrian E-Commerce Act). We have no influence on whether the details provided (e.g. distance, level of difficulty, change in altitude, description etc.) are authentic, correct and complete. We do not review these third-party contents. For this reason, we assume no liability for the authenticity, correctness and completeness of the information.

 

Construction-related measures or other influences (e.g. landslides and similar occurrences) can lead to temporary or permanent changes in a route (e.g. loss of a bridge and similar occurrences). Such occurrences can lead to part of the route or the entire route becoming impassable.

 

The use of the data as well as undertaking (riding, walking, taking etc.) the recommended tours or using the network of paths occurs at users’ own risk and on their authority. In particular, users themselves are responsible for the choice of route, outdoor orientation, adherence to traffic rules, supplies and equipment for tours listed in Point 1 (e.g. bicycle etc.), wearing a helmet, estimating their own fitness, recognising dangers and maintaining an appropriate velocity. We exclude ourselves from any liability whatsoever for damages, in particular accidents, that occur whilst taking part in the recommended tours.

 

2.Some of the tours lead over roads with normal traffic conditions. Please observe that there is an increased risk which can be avoided by means of appropriate attention and proper estimation and implementation of one’s own abilities. For this reason, please travel a route that is unfamiliar to you slowly and with special care. Pay constant attention to potential dangers and always observe traffic. Do not leave the routes featured in descriptions.

 

The potential use of private roads, in particular forestry roads and agricultural transport roads, can be subject to legal restrictions, which must be observed and adhered to.

 

The normal traffic rules apply. Each user (e.g. biker, motorbiker) is responsible for adhering to these rules and maintaining his/her bike/vehicle and its equipment (lights, brakes etc.) in good working order. Each user is also responsible for ensuring that he/she rides at a velocity that is appropriate for the conditions and his/her skill level and for maintaining sufficient distance to the rider in front. We explicitly recommend adjusting velocity to correspond to the respective field of vision, wearing a helmet, using reflective clothing (or similar) and employing bicycle lights in line with regulations.

 

3.Each tour requires good physical fitness as well as detailed planning. We explicitly recommend only taking the tours in the case of optimal healthiness.

 

We recommend that you conclude an accident and liability insurance policy. Use an onboard computer that displays the respective kilometres travelled per day and is calibrated for the front wheel.

 

4.Special for mountain bikers – Fair-play rules:

 

Mountain biking is one of the most wonderful outdoor leisure-time activities. Whilst biking or on a mountain biking tour, mountains and lakes, meadows and cabins are re-discovered in new ways. A couple of rules for fair play in the forest help to avoid conflicts whilst mountain biking.

 

a.Pedestrians have the right of way: We are accommodating and friendly to pedestrians and hikers. Upon encountering these fellow travellers, we alert them by using the bicycle bell and slowly overtake them. We avoid paths with heavy pedestrian traffic altogether. Take nature into account: We do not leave refuse behind.

b.The braking distance should be half of the total distance visible: We ride at a controlled pace, are ready to brake and maintain a braking distance half as long as the total distance visible, especially in curves, because we always have to count on obstacles on the path. Damage to the path, stones, branches, wood piles, grazing livestock, cattle grids, barriers, tractor-type forestry machines and authorised vehicles pose dangers that we need to be ready for.

c.Don’t drink and drive!: Do not drink alcohol when mountain biking. Take care at stop-off points (dealing with bike racks, dirty shoes or clothing).

It is obligatory to provide first aid!

d.Marked routes, closed paths and blockades: Keep to the marked routes, observe the blockades and accept that these roads are primarily for agricultural and forestry use!

Blockades can often not be avoided and are in your own interest. Biking beyond the intended path and outside of opening times is punishable and turns us into illegal bikers.

e.We are guests in the forest and behave accordingly, including vis-à-vis forestry and hunting staff. Whilst mountain biking, mobile telephones and music players are forbidden! Biking requires your full attention.

f.Avoid unnecessary noise. Out of consideration to the animals living in the wild, we only bike during full daylight. As a principle, we always wear our helmet (even when riding uphill)! Don’t forget emergency supplies: We always have a repair set and bandages along.

g.Don’t overestimate your skills: We should not overdo it when it comes to biking technique and physical fitness. Take the level of difficulty posed by the route into consideration and make a precise estimate of your experience and skills as a biker (braking, bell, lights)!

h.Close gates: We approach grazing livestock at a walking pace and close every gate behind us. We should avoid causing escape and panic reactions in the animals. Nothing stands in the way of the fun and athletic challenge in the mountains and forests!

i.Traffic rules: The general traffic rules (StVO) apply for all the mountain biking routes and we adhere to them. Our bike therefore needs to be in perfect technical condition and equipped in line with the traffic rules, including brakes, a bell and lights. We inspect and service our mountain bikes regularly anyway.

 

5.We assume no liability for the contents of external websites; in particular, we assume no liability for their statements and contents. Moreover, we have no influence on the design or contents of the websites to which hyperlinks on www.salzkammergut.at lead or from which hyperlinks lead to www.salzkammergut.at. There is no on-going review of websites to which hyperlinks on www.salzkammergut.at lead or from which hyperlinks lead to www.salzkammergut.at. We do not appropriate the contents of websites to which hyperlinks on www.salzkammergut.at lead or from which hyperlinks lead to www.salzkammergut.at.

 

Vis-à-vis bloggers

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1. Each of your tour recommendations for hiking, walking, biking and road biking, mountain biking, motorbiking, horseback riding, climbing, cross-country skiing, and going on skiing and snowshoe tours etc., along with other details and information, is free of charge. In particular regarding the correctness of the information, we assume no liability, nor do we assume any liability whatsoever for the consequences of the use of your tour recommendation by a third party (in particular by a user of this website). We do not review the tour recommendations you post, including other details and information, at any time.

We have no intention of concluding a contract with persons who post tour recommendations and/or other details and information on this website. Posting data (information) does not imply that a contract has been concluded.

By recommending a tour, we assume special responsibility vis-à-vis other athletes. Please take this responsibility seriously and describe your tour recommendation with utmost care and to the best of your knowledge and belief.

 

2.Your tour recommendations must therefore clearly and unambiguously include at least the following criteria and provide a sufficiently detailed description:

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• Dangerous spots

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• Change in altitude

• Finishing point.

If possible, please provide the change in altitude.

 

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Thank you for your efforts!

 

4. We are not responsible for the contents of external websites; in particular, we do not assume any liability for their statements or contents. Furthermore, we do not influence the design or contents of websites that can be accessed from www.salzkammergut.at via hyperlinks or that use hyperlinks to refer to www.salzkammergut.at. The websites that can be accessed from www.salzkammergut.at via hyperlinks or that use hyperlinks to refer to www.salzkammergut.at are not regularly monitored. Furthermore, we do not assume any claims to the websites that can be accessed from www.salzkammergut.at via hyperlinks or that use hyperlinks to refer to www.salzkammergut.at.