Description
Tip/Fun fact: Schöpfl is the highest mountain in the Vienna Woods at 893 meters. From the Matras lookout at the summit, the surrounding hills resemble a sea of waves.
From the viewing platform of Matras lookout at the highest point of Schöpfl, there is an impressive view into the Laaben Valley, onto Wein- and Waldviertel, to the Leiser Mountains, Peilstein, Leithagebirge, the Gutenstein and Türnitz Alps, Schneeberg, Rax, Ötscher, and on clear days even Hochschwab and Totes Gebirge are visible.
Starting point of the tour
Laaben
Destination point of the tour
Laaben
Route description Schöpfl and Gföhlberg
This circular route is a challenge due to its length. We start directly in front of the municipal office and hike eastward. At the first junction to the right (dead end), we follow the red-white-red marking (long-distance trail 04). At the end of the lane, a roughly 700 m long meadow path begins to the first farm, then continues partly as an asphalted farm road, forest path, and gravel road. At the Forsthof Icelandic horse farm, the long-distance trail 04 branches off to the left, but we turn right at the horse paddock. The marking remains red-white-red, sometimes also marked with 04 and 404 (?). At the forest edge, we take the Heinrich-Gith Trail. Alternatively, the slightly flatter Pensioners' Trail is also available. At half the ascent, we can plan a rest at a spring, where we also rejoin the Pensioners' Trail. After about 1.5 hours, we reach our first destination, the Schutzhaus at Schöpfl. After a recommended stop, be sure to enjoy the breathtaking view from the Matras lookout. Then follows a beautiful hike (marked white-red-white, partly white-blue-white) on forest and meadow paths, always slightly downhill, along the Schöpfl ridge down to Klammhöhe. Upon reaching the state road, we unfortunately must walk on it for about 900 m to Klammhöhe. From Café Restaurant Klammhöhe, our path ascends again through the forest to the Gföhlberg Hut (Elsbeerweg). Via Leopold Dworak Trail, still marked white-red-white, we reach the Gföhlberg summit (no view). At the following junction, where several hiking trails converge, we turn left and now follow the white-blue-white marking to the end of Elsbeerweg (ascent to the Gföhlberg Hut from the north side). Over the now following meadow path (white-blue-white, 622) we join the long-distance trail 04, 404, which leads us to the state road. A short stretch on this, past the castle, we turn right into a forest and meadow path. At the Black Cross, a rest would be recommended, if only because of the beautiful view. From now on, we follow the white-green-white marking to Laaben.
