Lynx Trail - Stage 02 Anlaufalm-Laussabaueralm

As there is a lot to discover on this stage, it is best to leave the Anlaufalm early. Start at the hut heading south-west and walk along the forest road for about 1.5 hours to Weißwasser, where a former mining settlement once stood at the bottom of the valley, of which only a few remains of walls can be seen today. From Weißwasser, where there is a bivouac site, the trail leads up to the Blahbergalm via the old, beautifully laid out "Knappensteig" trail. Bauxite and jet were once mined in the Blahbergalm area. Some remains of the former material cable car and blown-up tunnel entrances can still be found today. On weekends from mid-June to early October, homemade bread, curd cheese and bacon, sweet "Hosnearln" (rabbit ears) and "baked mice" are served at the Blahbergalm.

From the Blahbergalm, take hiking trail 475 past the fairytale-like Sieben-Brünn springs and over the Ahornsattel to the Dörflmoaralm. The magnificent summit backdrop of the Totes Gebirge mountains comes into view. Then it's a leisurely descent to the Hengstpass. At the Zickerreith snack bar, follow the Hengstpass road for about 250 metres to the left until you reach the pass, where you turn right onto the farm track towards Egglam. Before reaching the Egglalm, follow the forest road downhill to the Rotkreuzkapelle chapel. The trail then winds its way downhill alongside the Laussabach stream to the pastureland of the Laussabaueralm. Finally, head for the alpine hut, which is located under mighty lime trees that are over 300 years old.

Variation for experienced hikers:

An alternative descent route from the Anlaufalm to Weißwasser leads along a narrow path that is steep and exposed in places and can be slippery, especially in wet weather. This variation is reserved for sure-footed and experienced hikers. To take this route, walk across the alpine pasture to the north-west and follow the signpost towards Hochschlacht. The challenging path winds its way down 400 metres in altitude, following a rocky ridge to the Große Schlucht gorge. In several places, the path offers magnificent panoramic views of the wild forest landscape of the Kalkalpen National Park. Different types of forest and spruce stands infested with bark beetles become visible. In the wilderness zone, the "beetle trees" are allowed to remain standing and die, as nature intended. Over 30% of all forest organisms, such as birds, beetles and fungi, need old trees and sufficient dead wood to survive. Directly at the Schleier waterfall, the trail joins the Hintergebirgsradweg cycle path, which you follow left upstream to the Weißwasser bivouac site, where you rejoin the main route.