L2 Mollner Trail

Loop route with a length of 9.4 km and 660 m elevation gain to the Mollner Hut (1005 m).

This serviced self-catering hut is located on the Gaisberg in the Upper Austrian pre-Alps. Opening times:

From mid-March to the end of November (except All Saints' Day), the hut is open on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.

The route starts at the bus stop near the National Park Center in Molln. Passing the church in the middle of the town center on the right, you run about 1.5 km to the Klausner country inn. Here, there is a path down to the federal road, which we follow keeping right. Past the parking lot of the company Piesslinger, we reach the district Sonnseite. We follow the signs to the Mollner Hut and meet the hiking parking lot of the Mollner Hut after just a few hundred meters. From here, it goes steadily uphill.

After 300 meters, we come to a forest road with the sign "Sepp Mitterhuber Steig." We continue running past a hunting lodge (where you can fill water at a fountain), about 1.2 km until we reach a pasture, which we ascend keeping to the right until we arrive at the Mollner Hut, managed by the Nature Friends Upper Austria. The route continues directly under the hut along an initially unmarked path through the forest. The path is clearly visible, and after a nice downhill, we reach a forest road again. About 200 meters to the right, then left over a somewhat hidden forest path, across a meadow, we reach Sonnseitenstraße, which we follow to the right for about exactly one kilometer. Passing the parking lot of the company Piesslinger again, we run back on the same way to our starting point at the National Park Center, from which we started.

If fitness and time allow, you can also run to the Dürre Eck, extending the route by about 2 km and approximately 250 m in elevation.

At the hut, there is a drinks depot which can be used on days when it is not operated.

The required equipment always depends on the respective route and the weather conditions. Regarding provisions: this is very individual, and it is advisable to have more rather than less with you when it comes to equipment and food. A 5 km round in the valley requires less than a demanding mountain route. The weather can change quickly, and if you are not constantly moving or need to take a break, warming clothing is of great importance, for example.

Here is a general checklist for you:

• Weather-appropriate running clothes for the respective season – weather forecast – region – altitude. This includes, among others:
  * a waterproof rain jacket
  * waterproof rain pants suitable for running
  * gloves and warm headwear (hat/headband/neck gaiter)
  * sunglasses + sunscreen + headwear for very warm days 


• Trail running shoes


• Water bottles, soft flasks or a hydration bladder with enough liquid for the respective route (possibly also salt tablets/magnesium)


• Snacks for an energy boost in between: energy bars, gels, chocolate, trail mix,


• Running backpack: ideally a trail running vest / a trail running backpack or a waist belt for small routes.


• Dry pack: so that your valuables or change of clothes stay dry (optionally a small trash bag)


• Emergency blanket


• Small first aid kit. An Israeli bandage is, in my opinion, highly recommended: it is a one-handed operable wound and pressure bandage. Details can be found here.


• Emergency whistle (often integrated in the trail running backpack)


• Mobile phone


• Maps (online and/or offline)


• E-Card or insurance card


• Some cash


• Crampons/spikes: these can be of great advantage in winter and icy conditions.


• Folding poles for trail running


• Headlamp