Hiking through rural cultural landscape on the sunny side of Pichl

Starting point: Hotel Stoll in Pichl in the Gsieser Valley
Distance + hiking time: a) 6 km, 2 hours; b) 6,5 km, 2 ½ hours; c) 13 km, 4 ½ hours
Level of difficulty: easy
Altitude difference: 100 m

Option a) From the Hotel Stoll in Unterplanken, follow the old Gsieser Road into the valley to the farms “Schuher” and “Kohler”. Turn left at the first crossing, then cross the stream of the valley to get to the hamlet “Wiesen”. After crossing the main road you find the famous “Herz Jesu” Chapel (Sacred Heart of Jesus) on the left side of the hamlet road. Now the path slightly ascends and takes you through a stretch of forest to Oberpichl. Continue through the scattered settlement of Pichl and enjoy the beautiful view, pass the typical farms and reach the Parish Church of St. Nikolaus. After a brief visit to the church (guide of church history available inside) you can continue your hike to Unterplanken. Option b) Whoever is fascinated by the landscape can turn left at the Turmhotel Gschendt and proceed down to the main road, then straight to the hamlet Durnwald, left at the Chapel “Maria Hilf” (Our Lady of Perpetual Succour) and past the Hotel Waldheim back to the starting point. Option c) This route takes you from the Parish Church of Pichl, past the Turmhotel Gschwendt and down across the hamlets Henzing, Förrer and Mahr and to Brückenwirt/Wiesen. From there, either return by public transport, or hike back on the old Gsieser road to Unterplanken. Please note: Toboggan run “Rossbrunn”, starting point: Hotel Waldheim – altitude difference: 130 m – Level of difficulty: moderate to difficult