Scharnstein: Culture, Trails and Special Discoveries

Scharnstein combines vivid industrial history, unusual museum spaces and trails through a varied landscape. The signposted Scythe Trail is around 2.4 kilometres long and leads through what was once the largest scythe works in the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. Added to this are the Geyerhammer Scythe Museum, the Austrian Crime Museum in Scharnstein Castle and the viewpoint near the Scharnstein ruins. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Scharnstein can therefore plan their stay according to different interests: with culture, historical insights and outdoor activities.

Scythe Craft and Technology on the Alm River

The Geyerhammer Scythe Museum is housed directly on the Alm River in a faithfully preserved original scythe works. The museum features three heavy tail hammers powered by water wheels. These details make the former working world understandable not only through texts, but also through its technical facilities. The Scythe Trail complements the museum with a route that has a clear historical connection. Its length of around 2.4 kilometres can be taken into account when planning the day, without the town’s other sights fading into the background.

Crime History in Scharnstein Castle

The Austrian Crime Museum in Scharnstein Castle documents the history of the Austrian justice and security system from the late Middle Ages to the present day in more than 20 exhibition rooms. The exhibition also includes an original torture chamber, which provides an insight into the practices of historical justice. Museum tours are available for groups of 15 to a maximum of 80 people by prior arrangement. This option is particularly relevant when planning a trip for larger families or groups of friends and a shared museum visit is to be firmly included in the day’s schedule.

The present-day Baroque parish church of Viechtwang is also one of the cultural points of interest in the area around Scharnstein. It was built according to plans by Antonio Carlone. Another independent insight into regional traditions is the Viechtwang nativity scene created by the Hageneder family. The seven-square-metre landscape nativity scene depicts the key stages from the Annunciation through the search for lodging and the birth of Jesus to the procession of the Three Kings and the Flight into Egypt.

Trails, Rest Area and Viewpoint

For active days, the route from the Tissenbach Valley to the Scharnstein castle ruins offers several specific points of orientation. Along the popular hiking trail lies the renaturalised and newly maintained Almtaler Bergwiesn mountain meadow. A somewhat elevated rest area with a view of the Bräumauer opposite is located there. The viewpoint at the Scharnstein ruins can be reached via around 260 steps; along the way, the route passes the Wagner Chapel, built into the rocks. Anyone wishing to include this part of the town in their plans should take the steps and the desired timeframe into account when organising their day.

Scharnstein as a Starting Point for Different Days of Travel

The sights appeal to different preferences: the Scythe Trail and the Almtaler Bergwiesn mountain meadow suit plans involving exercise and landscapes, while the museums, parish church and nativity scene provide cultural highlights. This mix is helpful for families because not every day of travel has to be organised in the same way. When choosing a holiday apartment or other accommodation in Scharnstein, you can therefore first consider whether your trip should focus more on museum visits, trails to the ruins or a combination of both interests.

For planning your journey by train, the Almtalbahn, line 153, runs from Wels railway station to Grünau im Almtal; Scharnstein-Mühldorf is listed as a stop. This connection can be taken into account when organising the timing of your trip. Once there, the historical and landscape-related topics can then be arranged according to your own pace.

More Places for Planning Your Trip

If you would like to compare other destinations in addition to Scharnstein, you can find the pages for Gschwandt, Bad Goisern on Lake Hallstatt, Pinsdorf, Altmünster on Lake Traunsee, Obertraun, Rußbach, Kirchham near Vorchdorf and Bad Ischl.

To the higher-level travel overview: Gmunden.