Hernstein Resin Worker Educational Trail

The Herstein pitching trail, which runs through the Schwarzföhrendwälder am Hart, offers impressive insights into the profession of pitcher with its display boards, stations, exhibits and "pitched trees". Traces of resin extraction (pitching) are still visible, especially in the extensive, resinous-smelling pine forests. The resin was once an important raw material for the production of rosin and turpentine. The Vinzenz Chapel, which is well worth a visit, and the Pechermuseum with its documentation of the profession of the pitcher are also reminders of this once important industry. Today, only one resin processing company remains.
The market town of Hernstein with its 7 districts is located in the middle of the largest black pine area in Central Europe, between the Triesting and Piesting valleys. The landscape is dominated by gentle mountain forms with heights of up to 600 m. Leisurely hikes predominate in the municipality. Only to the west of the municipality does the Hohe Mandling rise with beech forests at higher altitudes. However, since the fire at the Berndorfer huts at the summit (967 m), the Mandling has lost its importance for hikers.