Ottnang am Hausruck: Mining History and Alpine Views
Accommodation in Ottnang am Hausruck
Ottnang am Hausruck combines a landscape on the southern slope of the Hausruck Forest with a distinctive history of coal mining. Themed trails, tunnels, geological features and protected buildings each offer a different perspective. When looking for a hotel for your stay, it may be helpful to first consider whether you are particularly interested in mining history, culture or the landscape.
Mining history on trails and in tunnels
A developed, five-kilometre hiking and cycling trail runs between Thomasroith and Holzleithen. As a themed trail, it focuses on mining; 26 information boards provide details. Its length and information boards make it a specific starting point if you would like to explore the local mining history.
The Grubengeistweg takes a different approach: it leads through the old coal-mining area of the Hausruck Forest, through tunnels and along chutes. At the same time, it explains the history of coal on a geological timescale. Coal formed 360 million years ago. The trail therefore focuses both on the former mining area and on the resource’s origins in the distant past.
Two show mines are also among the places commemorating coal mining. The Mariannenstollen is next to the Gmoa-Stoa and recalls the history of coal mining in the municipality. The surviving sections of the SĂĽdfeldstollen Thomasroith were converted into a show mine in 2004/05.
Gmoa-Stoa, high points and views
The Gmoa-Stoa is a boulder around 20 million years old. It can be visited on a hill at the edge of the forest, north of the village of Bergern. The site offers a view across the entire municipality of Ottnang am Hausruck. Here, a geological feature and a broad view across the municipality come together.
Another prominent point is the Wiedhack-Kreuz. It stands on the municipality’s highest elevation, at 753 metres. The cross marks the highest point; the explicitly mentioned view across the entire municipality, however, is from the Gmoa-Stoa.
Churches, heritage protection and local history
Protected buildings include St Barbara’s Church in Thomasroith and the Parish Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Bruckmühl. The Quirchtenhaus, known as the Thomas Bernhard House, in Niederpuchheim is also a protected monument. The property referred to as “Hanspaul” and “Quirchtenhaus” was acquired by Thomas Bernhard from the Huemer family in 1972 and redesigned. Its heritage protection status may be updated by the responsible authority.
These places offer different points of reference for Ottnang’s cultural history: churches in two localities stand alongside an estate with a specific history of ownership and redesign. Together with the tunnels and themed trails, they show that local history is not only about coal mining, but also about buildings and individual places within the municipality.
Landscape in the Hausruck Forest
Ottnang am Hausruck lies on the southern slope of the Hausruck Forest, in a fog-free upland landscape at an altitude of 550 to 700 metres. From Ottnang, there are unobstructed views south and southeast across the Alps, from the Ötscher to the Berchtesgaden region. The altitude figures refer to different points: the landscape lies at 550 to 700 metres, while the municipality’s highest elevation reaches 753 metres.
Ottnang offers opportunities for long walks and forest hikes. Fishing at the pond can also be arranged by prior agreement. These options range from outdoor exercise to an activity that must be arranged in advance, complementing the area’s cultural and geological attractions.
Discover more destinations: Berg im Attergau, Steinbach am Attersee, Timelkam, Attnang, Pfaffing, Vöcklabruck, Oberwang, Loibichl.
Back to the higher-level travel overview: Vöcklabruck.
