The wild northern side of Rachel

Stages:
Parkplatz Oberfrauenau - Trinkwassertalsperre Frauenau - Rachelwiese - Waldschmidthaus - Großer Rachel - Waldschmidthaus - Rachelwiese - Parkplatz Oberfrauenau

Tour description:
The tour start is at the parking lot in Oberfrauenau. There, we follow the path with the marking ‘Siebenstern’ (Arctic starflower) towards Trinkwassertalsperre (drinking water reservoir). After about 2 kilometers of relaxed walking on mostly flat paths, we reach the dam crest. We follow the ‘Siebenstern’ (Arctic starflower) along the southern shore and can see the water for a while. At the end of the drinking water reservoir, the trail transitions into a broad forest path which is also a cycle path. We follow the path uphill. At the second bigger crossroads we turn to the right, still following the ‘Siebenstern’ (Arctic starflower), shortly afterwards the trail branches off to the left.

The path is getting more narrow, stony and more wild. At one spot of the north wall of Rachel we need to pass a very short rope secured section to cross a sloping rock slab. After about 10 kilometers we can relax a little bit. We reach Rachelwiese (a former mountain pasture), followed by a flat traversing passage which brings us directly to Waldschmidthaus (currently closed). After arriving at the historic building we climb the last meters to the summit of Großer Rachel (1453 meters above sea level) and can take a rest on the rocky summit.

For the descent, we first take the same path back to Rachelwiese. Here, we take the path to the left which is marked with ‘Grünes Dreieck’ (green triangle) in direction to Oberfrauenau. After about 6 kilometers of downhill hiking we reach the starting point of the tour.

Correct on the go – all the time:

• Beware of falling trees and deadwood! The use of the path is at your own risk. At strong wind please leave the forest for safety reasons!
• Path regulations in order to protect endangered plants and animals in certain areas of the national park
• Please do not leave any trash! Dog poop bags or handkerchiefs do not belong in nature either. Please help to keep our wild forest clean. Thank you!

Always ensure to have good equipment: card, sturdy shoes, something to drink, first aid kit, bad weather clothing

Difficult tour, good stamina and surefootedness required.
Currently no refreshment point at Waldschmidthaus.

Rachelsteigweg
94258 Frauenau

Parking lot Oberfrauenau

This tour is not directly accessible by public transport. Frauenau train station (Waldbahn line RB 36) is about 2.5 kilometers from the starting point of the tour.

• Siebenstern (Arctic starflower)
• Grünes Dreieck (green triangle)

Did you know it?

They are like islands within the wild forest area about 1000 meters above sea level. Back in the days, they served as overnight accommodation for the cattle grazing in the forest. The park-like landscapes, which are kept open, are called Schachten. The meadows, dominated by mat- grass, with boulders and gnarled, old trees, offer a variety of habitats to rare insects, birds, reptiles and bat species. Plants like the Arnica montana (wolf’s bane) sprout in the turf torn to pieces for timber drift and their flat leaves can escape the hungry mouths of cattle.

Parking lot Oberfrauenau, Rachelsteigweg, 94258 Frauenau

Parking lot Oberfrauenau, Rachelsteigweg, 94258 Frauenau