Gaflenzer Kaibling

The Gaflenzer Kaibling is a long, gentle mountain ridge standing between the Ybbs and Enns valleys in Upper Austria. Its slopes are mostly covered with forest, and the main ridge stretches for about seven kilometres from the Holzerkogel in the west to the Wetterkogel in the east. The ridge forms the border between Upper and Lower Austria until it reaches the Hirschkogel, where the border turns away. The Forsteralm peak, just north of the Hirschkogel, is another summit over 1,000 metres high. The northern side of the mountain is well prepared for visitors. On the Upper Austrian side there is the Forsteralm ski area, served by a chairlift and six drag lifts, with eighteen kilometres of pistes. After financial difficulties, eight communities took over the operation in 2016 and raised further money through crowdfunding for planned snow-making equipment. On the Lower Austrian side stands the Amstettner Hütte, an alpine hut that offers food and shelter and can be reached in one and a half hours from Gaflenz or two and a half from Opponitz. The summit of the Gaflenzer Kaibling itself is only reached by unmarked paths, taking about an hour and a half from the Amstettner Hütte. The mountain’s geology is mainly main dolomite, giving the slopes a rugged look. From the ridge there are wide views across the surrounding valleys and lower hills, while the forested lower slopes provide quiet walking in summer. The contrast between the busy ski area and the quiet summit route makes the mountain an interesting place for both winter sports and summer hikes.