Grünberg-Seilbahn & Baumwipfelpfad
Oberösterreich
Grünberg is a 984-meter-high mountain located in the Upper Austrian Prealps near Gmunden. It is known for its natural beauty and recreational facilities including the Grünberg-Seilbahn, a modern large-cabin cable car opened in 2014 that offers stunning views over the town of Gmunden during ascent. The mountain features hiking trails connecting to the Laudachsee and the Traunstein, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. In summer 2018, the Baumwipfelpfad Salzkammergut, a treetop walkway with a 39-meter-high observation tower, was inaugurated on Grünberg, providing visitors with spectacular vistas of the surrounding alpine landscape. A 75-meter-long tunnel slide was added in 2019 to enhance the visitor experience. Historically, before the cable car existed, an emblematic donkey named Agi was used in the 1950s to transport goods up the mountain, commemorated today by a bronze statue near the Grünbergalm inn. Winter sports were supported by a ski lift until 2014, after which the area was redeveloped for summer activities such as tobogganing. The mountain is also a broadcast site for radio and television transmitters. Grünberg combines natural beauty, modern infrastructure, and cultural heritage, making it a unique attraction in the Salzkammergut region.
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Tip: The best time to visit Grünberg is during late spring to early autumn when the treetop walkway and observation tower are open, offering clear panoramic views. Visitors are advised to purchase cable car tickets in advance during peak seasons to avoid queues. The tunnel slide is a popular attraction for families. In winter, the area attracts ski tourers when snow conditions permit, but the ski lift is no longer operational. Discounts may be available for groups and families. Check the official website for current opening hours and any special events.
Interesting facts
- •The original Grünberg cable car was built in 1957 and was based on the Wallmannsberger system.
- •In 2004, a cable car accident on Grünberg resulted in two serious injuries, leading to the eventual closure of the old cable car in 2010.
- •The Baumwipfelpfad Salzkammergut features a 39-meter-high observation tower offering panoramic views of the Salzkammergut region.
- •A 75-meter-long tunnel slide was added to the treetop walkway in 2019, enhancing the visitor experience.
- •A bronze statue of a donkey named Agi commemorates the animal’s role in transporting goods to the mountain before the cable car existed.
History
The Grünberg mountain has been a notable landmark in the Upper Austrian Prealps for centuries.
The first cable car, built in 1957 by the company VÖEST, operated until 2010, after which a tragic accident in 2004 led to its closure.
A new large-cabin cable car was constructed between 2013 and 2014, modernizing access to the summit.
Before the cable car era, in the 1950s, a donkey named Agi was famously used by the hut keeper Karl Danner to transport supplies up the mountain.
The area transitioned from winter ski activities to summer recreational uses after 2014, including the addition of the Baumwipfelpfad treetop walkway in 2018 and a tunnel slide in 2019.
Place Guide
Grünberg-Seilbahn (Cable Car)2014
The modern large-cabin cable car, opened in 2014, transports visitors from the valley station to the summit, offering panoramic views of Gmunden and the surrounding alpine scenery. It replaced the original 1957 cable car system.
Baumwipfelpfad Salzkammergut (Treetop Walkway)2018
Opened in 2018, this treetop walkway features a 39-meter-high observation tower that provides expansive views of the Salzkammergut landscape. It is designed for visitors to experience the forest canopy and alpine vistas.
Bronze Donkey Statue (Agi)1950s
Located near the Grünbergalm inn, this bronze sculpture commemorates Agi, the donkey used in the 1950s by the hut keeper Karl Danner to carry supplies up the mountain before the cable car existed.
