BergeSeen Trail Stage 18

From the Albert Appelhaus to the Rinnerhütte

The trail descends through a sparsely forested and rocky terrain to the meadows of the Wildenseealm (1525 m) with its many small alpine huts. The Wildenseehütte is a self-catering hut at this location. The route continues along flat terrain to the northwest arriving at the Hufnagelwiese meadow and then immediately thereafter the gorgeous Lake Wildensee (1535 m).

After a short ascent over a corrie threshold, the trail continues through a flat alpine valley alongside a stream which disappears at times into the rock. Two different paths lead off to the left to the 2012 meter high Rinnerkogel peak. The trail continues to the small Rinnerhütte (1474 m), an alpine hut belonging to the Ebensee Mountaineering Association which offers food and drink.

From the Rinnerhütte to Lake Offensee

The trail leads out of the valley along relatively flat terrain past a spring to the edge of the plateau, from which Lake Offensee can be seen far below. The route then enters steep mountainous terrain, and the descent winds along several curves to the Rinnerboden, where a spring provides fresh drinking water. The trail continues to a waterfall and then onward down a steep descent.

An especially steep section of the trail is covered by means of a metal staircase until finally reaching the valley floor and a forest road. The route continues to the right along this road for 1.6 kilometres to arrive at the shore of Lake Offensee. Heading left along the lakeshore, the hikers can quickly reach the snack station Seeau.

From Lake Offensee to Lake Almsee

A few metres prior to reaching Lake Offensee, a broad path leads off to the right in the direction of Lake Almsee (path no. 420). The narrow ascent heads upward through the forest to the Gschirrsattel (saddle at 1029 m). Four hundred metres of elevation are covered during this climb. From the saddle (marker), the trail continues along flat terrain to a forest road.

The trail continues left downhill along this road passing above the Gschirrhütte (hunting lodge) to arrive at the Weißenegg hunting lodge. In front of the lodge, the trail heads right over the bridge and continues downhill for 2.5 kilometres along the forest road to an intersection. The route goes along the road to the right for a short distance and then descends left along a footpath down a 50 meter slope to the Nesseltal Stream. On the other side of the valley, the trail ascends again to another forest road which it follows for 2.5 kilometres until reaching a footpath on the right. This path leads to Deutsches Haus which is located on the shore of Lake Almsee.

The trail continues along the street to arrive in a short time at the Gasthof Seehaus tavern. From there, a splendid hiking trail begins along the eastern lakeshore to a small charming cove with particularly stunning views of the mountains to the south of the lake.

From Lake Almsee to Gasthof Jagersimmerl

Heading along the path, the trail continues to wind around Lake Almsee which narrows along the way. After reaching the end of the lake, it’s only a short distance to the well-known Gasthof Jagersimmerl inn, the final destination of this very long stage.