Zwergenwald (Gnome Forest)

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty easy

Route 2,1 km

Time 1:00 h

Uphill 88 hm

Downhill 120 hm

Highest point 1371 m

What began in 2024 with the WIKI Kindergarten in Hohentauern was expanded in 2026 in collaboration with the Gästeverein Hohentauern: in the Zwergenwald, lovingly crafted gnome houses made from natural materials, little figurines, painted stones and two stories are waiting to be discovered. This turns the short walk into a little adventure for children and families.

The Zwergenwald (Gnomes' Forest) in Hohentauern invites explorers of all ages to enjoy a special walk. Hidden along the trail are gnomes, little forest creatures, painted stones and lovingly crafted gnome houses made from natural materials. Two stories accompany the route, making the walk, exploring and discovering even more exciting.

You can start either directly in Hohentauern near the war memorial/pass summit or at the Moscher Sports Centre. The path is easily accessible in both directions. If you start at the War Memorial, first follow the path briefly along the main road towards the Wichtelhütte. Soon, small signs will point you towards the Gnomes' Forest. After a few minutes, you’ll reach the first stop on the story trail – from here on, it’s worth looking very closely: in small hollows, under tree stumps and at the edge of the forest, you’ll find gnomes and other little figures.

At the end of the trail, there’s a viewing platform with a place to rest. There’s also a box containing pens and stones. If you’d like, you can get creative yourself and help the Dwarf Forest to grow further by leaving a painted stone behind. Please make sure to leave all the dwarves, houses and figures where they are, so that the next visitors can enjoy them too.

The Zwergenwald is also easy to explore from the Moscher Sports Centre. From there, the path initially leads uphill for a short stretch, slightly steeper, along the ski slope. Here, too, a story and little gnome stations accompany you along the way. You then head into the forest, where small bridges, a woodland path, streams and shady sections provide a welcome change of scenery, especially on warm days. Eventually, you’ll reach the viewing plateau, where you can take a break before either turning back or continuing along the path into the village.

Best season

January

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More information

Take the B114 to the Hohentauern pass.

Option 1 – Starting point: War Memorial/Hohentauern Pass summit:

From the War Memorial or the pass summit in Hohentauern, you first walk a short distance along the main road towards the Wichtelhütte. Right at the start, small signs point the way to the Zwergenwald. After about five to ten minutes, you reach the first stop on the trail. From there, the path continues through the Gnomes' Forest, past small caves, tree stumps, the edge of the forest and lovingly designed gnome stations.

At the end of the route, you’ll reach a viewing plateau with a place to rest. There’s also a small creative station here with pens and stones. From there, you can either head back along the same path or follow the second route onwards towards the Moscher Sports Centre.

Route 2 – Starting at the Moscher Sports Centre:

From the Moscher Sports Centre, the trail initially climbs a short, slightly steeper stretch along the ski slope. The story begins right here, and the first gnomes accompany you along the way. You then reach a section of woodland with small bridges, a forest path and several streams. This section is pleasantly shaded, especially on warm days.

Gradually, the path continues to the viewing plateau, where you can take a break. From there, you can either walk back to the Moscher Sports Centre or follow the first route option on to Hohentauern.

Please leave all the gnomes, houses, figures and stations where they are. That way, the Gnome Forest will remain a wonderful experience for future children and families too. If you’d like to help the Gnome Forest grow, feel free to get creative yourself: at the creative station by the viewing platform, you can paint stones and leave them there. You’re also welcome to carefully add new gnomes or suitable little figures to the Gnome Forest. And if you’d like, you can leave a little message for the gnomes in the Gnome Book.

Information on public transportation can be found at www.verbundlinie.at

There is a large parking lot at the top of the pass or the Kiegerdenkmal in Hohentauern.

More information at www.murtal.at/wandern