Gaisberg (1287 m) from Oberwinkl

From the cross-country parking lot in Oberwinkl, head northwest first over a flat meadow, then slightly steeper up to Oberwinklstraße. Cross it south of a wooded area and continue between a farmstead and the forest in the same direction up to the forest edge. Here turn left to a hunting stand and continue below the forest edge until you reach a pull path directly at the forest edge. Turn sharply right on this and go through the short forest up to the ridge, where the hiking trail from Rauchenbühel comes from the left at a chapel. Across the ridge – the L 108 leads left to the Gaisberg – to the parking lot in front of the Zistelalm. This left-broadening corner can also be shortened directly and more steeply straight up through the forest.

Pass right by the parking lot and cross the Gaisbergstraße above the houses. Then follow a striking row of trees either left or right northwards up to the forest edge. There used to be a ski lift on this meadow. Shortly turn right at the forest edge to continue on the hiking trail, which leads along the former rack railway track to the summit of the Gaisberg (Dr. Herbert Walterskirchen-Weg). The path crosses the Gaisbergstraße again and then leads through a narrow, rock-framed hollow path towards the summit. The last part is flat to the west, finally completely level until in front of two huts. Here turn sharply right and up to the highest point with the large transmitter and the summit cross. Numerous benches invite you to rest.

DESCENT:

The descent mainly follows the ascent route. Additionally, there are some variants that can be ridden better or worse depending on the snow conditions.

You can go along the western edge of the Gaisberg summit plateau below the snow fences to the south and descend steeply via the clearing (power line route) to the meadows of the Zistelalm. However, this variant should only be attempted with sufficiently high snow conditions.

It is best in rather poor snow depth if you descend directly from the wind vane east of the summit cross over the short meadow to the two aforementioned huts on the ascent path. From there, more or less straight through the forest to the Gaisbergstraße. Although there is thicket in the way here, you can maneuver through fairly well. After crossing the road, you descend roughly parallel to it along its lower edge until you meet the former railway track again. You should have noticed the branching of a cart path here during the ascent. This can be advantageously used for further descent. It runs slightly below the railway track and gradually disappears. Continue in the same direction until you reach the meadows of the Zistelalm again. Cross them to the Zistelalm and continue the descent as during the ascent.

Other descent variants can be scouted already during the ascent.