Farmer, mountain hiking guide, and nature educator – Gerhard Weissenbacher

Grundlsee

Gerhard Weissenbacher from Gößl am Grundlsee has known life in the Ausseerland since his childhood. On the family farm, which has been operated since the 16th century, he learned how closely agriculture, nature, and tradition are interconnected. Today, he shares this knowledge through personal nature experiences. He tells stories about sheep, alpine pastures, the care of flower and forage meadows, and the rural way of life throughout the year. The traditional management of the meadows, which preserves a diverse landscape, is particularly important to him.

Gerhard Weissenbacher has been closely connected to nature, agriculture, and the special landscape of the Ausseerland since his childhood. The family farm has been managed since the 16th century. Gerhard learned early from his parents and grandparents how closely farming is linked to the weather, the seasons, and the natural conditions. His father raised cattle and sheep, among other things, and knew the surrounding forests, meadows, and alpine pastures well.

Today, Gerhard is a part-time farmer and would like to share his enthusiasm for nature and his homeland with others. As a mountain guide, he accompanies guests on lower and higher alpine pastures and offers individually designed tours for families and groups. The focus is not only on hiking together and experiencing nature. Gerhard also conveys a lot of interesting information about the landscape, alpine farming, wildlife, and rural life. Whether it's a comfortable family hike or a tailored tour, the tours are adapted to the wishes, interests, and abilities of the participants.

Sheep and lambs have always been part of farm life at the estate. In spring, they are directly at the farm, later they are brought to lower alpine pastures and other grazing areas where mechanized farming is not possible. This way, the animals make an important contribution to the preservation of the traditional cultural landscape.

Another important component of landscape maintenance is the species-rich flower meadows. Many farmers in Grundlsee mow their meadows only two to three times a year for "hay & grumet". The third mowing, called “Omadl”, gives the flowers enough time to bloom and provides numerous insects with an important food source. At the same time, high-quality hay is produced, which is particularly suitable for the humane treatment of cattle and sheep.

For Gerhard, agriculture, nature, and life in the mountains are inseparable. With his hikes and nature experiences, he wants to pass on this connection and bring his guests closer to the Ausseerland with all its special features, its farming tradition, and its unique landscape.