Schwarzauweg Nr. 19

Route characteristics: 20% asphalt, 40% forest road, 40% forest trail

The starting point for your hike is at an elevation of about 750 m above sea level, at the Xundwärts Parcours (Motorikpark®) in Hirschenwies. The trail follows the state road for about 400 meters on paved surfaces, passing the “Glockenstuhl”—a wooden structure with a bell—on the way to the center of Hirschenwies. While the bell used to be rung by hand with a rope, today an automatic mechanism rings it at noon and in the evening. From here, you can already see the imposing Hirschenstein, which is the next destination on the hike. The trail now branches off to the right and leads along a narrow road, over the Schusterberg, into the forest. Here, you leave the trail and turn left onto a hiking path leading to the “Hoch über Hirschenwies” lookout point. Passing blueberry and blackberry bushes, the trail leads up to the 860-meter-high Hirschenstein. Here, you’ll enjoy a magnificent view of the nearby Nebelstein and across the town of Moorbad Harbach, stretching far beyond the district capital of Gmünd. A bench invites you to take a break and linger for a while. The trail continues along a wildlife fence, past the Wetterstein, up to about 950 m. From there, the terrain slopes downward, and the trail leads downhill to the former lumberjack settlement of Schwarzau at 814 m above sea level. In a clearing, you’ll find a small wooden chapel and the “Schwarzauer Hof” forester’s lodge. Here, the trail branches off and, following an avenue of maple trees, leads you almost to the state border. After another fork, the trail climbs again and, passing along forest roads, mushroom-picking spots, and benches, leads back to the Glockenstuhl in Hirschenwies. Just a short stretch along the road, and you’re back at the Xundwärts Parcours (Motorikpark®) Hirschenwies, your starting point. If you’re still up for it, you can train your strength, endurance, and agility at the Motorikpark’s 30 exercise stations. Those who are tired, however, can take a break at Gasthof Nordwald or Gasthof Kristall and treat themselves to some culinary delights.