Zwölferhorn, 1522 m
A long walk down the valley across the Illingerberg-Alm to Gschwand/Brunn
Starting point: Top station of the Zwölferhornbahn. Base station in St. Gilgen. Continuous operation, in bad weather every hour on the hour.
Regardless of which route you choose to walk down the Zwölferhorn, you will find it worthwhile. This also applies to the long walk to Gschwand/Brunn. After crossing the ridge to Pillsteinkopf with its glorious views, you cross charming alps and a snack bar and continue down past the Steingraben until you reach a straight forest road that leads towards the Sparber and Brunn. Some resent the fact that the walk ends on an open country road, meaning that the only alternative to walking back along the road to St. Gilgen is to wait for the next ÖBB bus!
Over the Zwölferhorn to the Pillsteinkopf:
Follow path no. 1 and 855 over rock steps in some parts before crossing the green south-west ridge to the Arnikahütte. Then follow the unmade road to the saddle in front of the Pillsteinkopf. Now follow the ridge path straight ahead and upwards to the meadow hilltop of the Pillsteinkopf, 1478 m.
Descent to Gschwand/Brunn: Walk down the steep footpath in a westerly direction until you reach a gate and make a sharp left turn (south) before walking down through the wood to the alp saddle in front of the Illingerberg. Turn left (fence; path no. 4 and 5) and walk across the alp and down towards the Steingraben until you reach a forest road. Turn left down this road until you reach the Illingerberg-Alm snack bar, approx. 1180 m.
Follow the road, keeping to the left side of the Steingraben, in a north-easterly direction until you reach the Braunauer Hütte and carry on to the Stüblalm, 1051 m. Walk down the bends through the wood until you reach the bottom of the Steingraben and then walk out of the valley to Steingrabenalm, 877 m. Walk down the left side of the Steingraben for almost 3 km in a south-easterly direction until you reach a chapel (view of the Sparber), then walk over the ridge of Troif mountain and continue left (north) and down to the houses of Brunn, approx. 560 m. Follow the road and cross meadows in a northerly direction until you reach highway no. 158 and the bus stop.
Return journey: Take the bus to St. Gilgen (several ÖBB buses each day between 7.00 and 19.00).
Walk duration: 2 ¾ - 3 hours.
Highlights: The panorama from the Zwölferhorn. Beautiful alps in the upper Steingraben, later on an impressive view of the Sparber.
