LEGEND TRAIL AUGSTI

THE LEGENDARY PATH AT LOSER (June 2025)

WELCOME TO THE LEGEND TRAIL AT LOSER!

The Salzkammergut holds an immense treasure of oral traditions, stories, and legends. These storytelling traditions not only reflect the deep connection of the people to their homeland and nature but also signify their profound roots in a rich cultural history. This is the main reason why every single corner of the Salzkammergut is woven with many fascinating or adventurous tales. A great number of these legends and myths revolve around the majestic mountain landscape, and in some, alpine spirits even play an important role—such as in the following first story THE GOLDEN BRÜNDL.

THE GOLDEN Mountain spring

The population throughout the region grew rapidly and steadily. However, this also increased the need for larger grazing areas, as well as for bigger herds of sheep, goats, and especially dairy cows, since the demand for milk, cheese, and meat, as well as wool and leather, was also rising. For this reason, farmers had to act wisely and with foresight. They decided to make the best use of every single square meter of available land. Thus, at the beginning of each summer, they began driving their animals up to the alpine pastures. This had the advantage that the grass in these higher altitudes no longer needed to be regularly mowed, transported, and stored with great effort. This saved livestock owners a great deal of labor and costs. At the same time, it also preserved the grass in the valley fields, which could instead be used as hay for feeding the animals during the winter. Additionally, the many animals, with their hooves, regularly helped to stabilize the steep terrain, leading to a process called root penetration of the soil on the alpine pastures. A well-rooted soil, among other things, provides protection against landslides, as it can absorb and store more water.

Nevertheless, during hot summers, it could still happen that the numerous mountain springs in the Ausseerland dried up completely, leaving not enough water for the animals on the pastures—this was also the case on the Oberwasseralm. The alpine herders, who tended to dairy cows and young cattle there during the summer months, would then drive the livestock further up to the Hochklapfsattel*. The term "saddle" generally refers to a depression along a mountain ridge between two peaks. The name "Hochklapfsattel" derives from the combination of "hoch" (high) and the dialect word "Klapf" for "rock," describing a particular path with rock steps between the Loser and the Trisselwand.

On this very Hochklapfsattel, there is a circular, vertical, and approximately one-meter-deep golden-colored hole in the rock, which is always filled with water. It is said that the benevolent mountain spirits showed the alpine herders the so-called Golden Bründl a long, long time ago, ensuring that their animals would never suffer from thirst up there.

*The term "saddle" generally refers to a depression along a mountain ridge between two peaks. The name Hochklapfsattel derives from the combination of "hoch" (high) and the dialect word "Klapf" for "rock," describing a path with rock steps between the Loser and the Trisselwand.

THE WATER sprite OF lake ALTAUSSEE

Many times, the people of Arzleiten (a district of Altaussee) saw a naked man swimming in Lake Altaussee as they made their way to church. This was near the hill above Villa Nassau, where the boat landing is located today. His upper body would repeatedly rise out of the water, while the lower part of his body was fish-like and only visible if one looked closely.

One day, the people dared to speak to the man in the lake. He told them that he knew three things that would be very useful for the residents of Arzleiten. When they asked about the first, he pointed to the Sandling mountain and explained that the red stones of this mountain contained salt. They could dissolve it using water and then extract it by boiling. Additionally, if they dug deep enough, they would come across acidic springs. The people listened in astonishment, but in all the excitement, no one thought to ask about the other two important things.

Then the water spirit spoke:
"I have now told you one part. But you have forgotten to ask about the most important things—how to extract gold from the ‘Juttn’* and why there is a cross in the Kranewettbeere** and why everyone should remove their hat before this shrub."

With that, he dove under the water and disappeared forever.

The "Juttn" mentioned by the water spirit is a regional dialect word for the watery residue left after making "Schotten," a crumbly, quark-like cheese. "Schotten" is usually made from milk collected at the end of the alpine grazing season, just before the annual descent of the cattle from the pastures.

The "Kranewettbeere" (also called "Kranewittbeere" in other parts of Austria and southern Germany) is the local name for the juniper berry. According to legend, the cross of Christ was partially made from juniper wood, which is why a clear cross shape can be seen on the berries. In ancient times, people believed that this cross on the juniper berries could ward off evil and protect against malevolent spirits—hence the water spirit’s advice to remove one’s hat in respect before a juniper bush.

Botany, however, provides a scientific explanation for the whitish, cross-like marking: it typically forms from the fusion of the fruit's scale leaves before the berry fully develops and ripens.

The people of Arzleiten took the water spirit’s advice to heart. They began digging at Sandling, above Moosberg. In one spot, where sheep often licked the earth because the springs at the foot of the mountain were rich in salt, they dug the first tunnel. The approximate age of this tunnel was determined based on wooden beams found inside, which were primarily used to support the mine. These beams had been shaped only with axes, as saws were still unknown at the tim

* Juttn is a regional dialect term for "whey," the liquid residue left after making quark or cheese.
** The Kranewettbeere (also called "Kranewittbeere" in some regions and in southern Germany) is the local name for the juniper berry. According to legend, the cross of Christ contained juniper wood, which is why a cross-like marking appears on the berries. People once believed this marking could ward off evil—hence the water spirit’s advice to remove one’s hat before a juniper bush. Botanically, the whitish cross-like marking results from the fusion of the fruit’s scale leaves before the berry fully ripens.

THE GIFT TO THE SALIGEN

The Saligen* are mystical female beings from the folklore of the Ausseerland region, who also held power over various alpine spirits. These alpine spirits themselves had different tasks and were usually kind and well-meaning. They watched over the livestock on the mountain pastures, keeping the herd together, preventing cattle from falling off steep cliffs, and sometimes even helping herders find lost young animals. In return for their services, the alpine spirits often received a small portion of the dairy products produced on the pastures. However, if they were provoked or if their help was taken for granted, they could become angry. Therefore, it was customary to thank the alpine spirits at the end of the season for their support during the summer months.

It was no different on the Schoberwiesalm, where several alpine huts stood. During the summer months, diligent dairymaids lived there. One of them, a young farmer's daughter named Leni, was responsible for taking care of several dairy cows and young cattle. The cows had to be milked by hand twice a day, which was exhausting work. The milk was mainly used to make cream and butter, and at the end of the summer, often Schotten**, a crumbly, quark-like cheese. Every Sunday, the dairy products made on the alp were taken down to the valley in an Almfachtl***—a special wooden container that was either carried on the head or with a carrying frame on the back.

For Leni, the alpine summer passed far too quickly, and autumn was approaching. The young dairymaid had to leave the pasture with the cattle and return to the farm in the valley. Before she left, however, she baked the much-loved and delicious Almraunggerl, which she brought back for the children and the farmers. But she left a small bowl of them on the table in the hut. This was her way of thanking the good alpine spirits, who would now inhabit and watch over the hut.

Upon arriving in the valley, Leni realized she had forgotten a butter mold in the alpine hut. This mold—sometimes called der Model in certain regions—was a special wooden form used to shape butter, whether rectangular or round, and to imprint individual patterns onto it.

Leni hurriedly climbed back up the steep path to the hut and unlocked the door. As she stepped inside, she was startled—the bowl that had contained the Almraunggerl was now filled only with small pieces of coal. Quickly, she grabbed the butter mold, slipped a piece of coal into the pocket of her apron, and rushed back down to the valley.

That evening, when she reached into her pocket, she was astonished—for the piece of coal had transformed into a sparkling gold nugget. With this, the alpine spirits had rewarded Leni for her kind heart and her thoughtfulness. 

You want to try the Almraunggerl? Click on the Austi image below to go directly to the recipe.

* The Saligen are shy, kind-hearted beings from folklore with magical abilities. The word "Sal" roughly means "healing," "the healers," or "the wise ones."
** Schotten is the regional dialect term for the crumbly, quark-like residue left from filtered buttermilk.
*** An Almfachtl is a round, shallow wooden container used for transporting food. Dairymaids typically carried it on their heads, wrapped in a cloth.

THE LEGEND OF the Waldgrabner Farmhouse

In the Altaussee district of Waldgraben stood the so-called Waldgrabnerhöfe, which became the setting of the following legend. Waldgraben lies somewhat hidden behind Pflindsberg—a wooded hill at the foot of Sandling and the location of the ruins of Pflindsberg Castle.

Long ago, "wällische" ore seekers, often referred to as Venedigermandl or, in Altaussee, simply Wauggerl, ventured as far as the Ausseerland region. The term wällisch is a regional variation of the Middle and Early New High German words walsch or welsch, which were commonly used in parts of Austria to describe people from Romance-speaking countries, such as Italy.

These foreigners were treasure hunters who often disguised themselves as travelers or peddlers to avoid attracting attention. They typically came from Venice or nearby Italian cities, searching for gold, silver, and gemstones in the mountains and rivers. It was said that they possessed exceptional blacksmithing skills and magical mirrors that helped them locate valuable mineral deposits.

While the experienced ore seekers stayed in the region, they often spent the night in the farmers’ barns. One such seeker returned to the Waldgrabner farm for many years. He was always careful never to be followed. Small and nimble, he moved almost silently through the forest and spent many days in the mountains. With his Kraxn—a wooden carrying frame—he would bring back stones from the mountains to the valley.

One day, he told the Waldgrabner farmer, “Today, I leave and will never return.” As thanks, he left behind only a few stones. The farmer was furious at such meager payment and, in his anger, threw the stones into the fire. To his astonishment, golden droplets seeped from them. It is said that with this gold, the Waldgrabnerhof was completely rebuilt.

In another version of the tale, the treasure hunter asked the Waldgrabner to show him a safe path up the Sandling. The farmer led the stranger there. However, when the ore seeker took his leave, the farmer hid in a rock crevice to secretly observe the peculiar man’s activities. The Wauggerl searched the stream for stones, carefully inspecting each one before placing some in his Kraxn.

When the treasure hunter finally noticed the Waldgrabner spying on him, he fired a shot but missed. The farmer then struck the ore seeker to the ground. Fearing for his life, the Wauggerl began to beg for mercy. The Waldgrabner relented, carrying both the man and his collected stones back to the farm.

That night, the Wauggerl fled—but not before setting fire to the Waldgrabnerhof in revenge for his defeat. The next morning, in the ashes where the Kraxn had stood the night before, the farmer discovered a lump of gold. He sold it and used the money to rebuild his farm.

THE WILD WOMEN

In Middle High German, the language spoken at the time when many of these legends originated, the word wild had a very different meaning from what we understand today. Back then, it meant something like “free” or “independent.” Thus, the “free women” were known as Wildfrauen—the Wild Women.

In earlier times, some of these Wild Women, also referred to as the Saligen, were said to live in the Trisselbergloch, a half-cave in the Trisselwand. We have already encountered this term in the legend of The Gift to the Saligen.

On bright, sunny days, one could see the Wild Women’s white laundry shimmering from a great distance as it hung out to dry in front of the cave entrance. They were diligent, extremely modest, and rather shy—but at the same time, they were also intensely curious. They longed to meet the people living in the village below and learn more about their customs and way of life.

One day, a girl unexpectedly appeared at one of the village farmsteads and asked if she could work there as a maid. The farmer and his wife, overwhelmed with work, were greatly relieved to have her help. They quickly agreed on the tasks she would perform and what she would receive in return. After everything was settled, the girl turned to them and said:

"I have only one request—just one! Please, never ask me where I come from. If you do, I will have to leave immediately."

The farmer and his wife solemnly promised, and they kept their word without fail.

Time passed, and the maid proved to be an excellent worker. She was good with the animals, baked delicious bread, kept the house spotless, and helped in the fields whenever she could. But one day, Michl, the eldest son, who lived and worked far away, returned home for a visit. Unaware of the promise his parents had made, he took an interest in the diligent young woman.

Out of habit, he casually asked her, "Well, girl, I’ve never seen you before—where do you come from?"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the maid let out a loud cry of distress.

"Now I must leave, and I can never return!" she exclaimed in horror.

In the blink of an eye, she was gone, leaving behind only a stunned young man. He had no idea that the hardworking maid had been a Salige—a young Wild Woman from the Trisselbergloch—nor did he know about the arrangement she had made with his parents.

But sometimes, when the morning mist lifted under the warmth of the sun, he would catch a glimpse of a delicate, snow-white piece of laundry fluttering near the cave. And in that fleeting moment, he would think of the lovely and kindhearted Wild Woman he had once met.

BONUS – HOW SALT WAS discovered

A shepherd from the village led the farmers' and fishermen’s sheep up to the mountain meadows of the Sandling every day. The animals always followed him willingly toward Moosberg. Once they arrived, the sheep eagerly drank from the spring water that surfaced in certain spots.

One day, the shepherd grew curious and decided to taste the water himself. However, he immediately spat it out—it was incredibly salty! That evening, he told the owners of the sheep about his discovery. Intrigued, they too set off toward Moosberg to try the spring water, but they found it just as unpalatable as the shepherd had.

A clever and inquisitive young boy heard about these tastings and decided to experiment. He filled a wooden trough with water from the springs and threw in a few glowing hot stones. Suddenly, the water began to hiss and bubble, followed by a loud rushing and roaring sound. After a while, all the water had evaporated, leaving the stones looking entirely different—they were now covered in fine, white salt crystals.

The boy—essentially the first “inventor” of a salt-boiling method in Altaussee—carefully scraped off the salt and began using it to season his food.

In this case, the sheep’s increased craving for additional salt—more precisely, sodium chloride—may have been the key to discovering the naturally occurring salty water in the Sandling, which later became known as brine. Many herbivores consume very little sodium through their diet, even though it is essential for many bodily functions, such as aiding protein digestion. In fact, salt is a vital mineral for all living beings.

However, this was not the only way people in the region realized that their mountains contained large salt deposits. According to legend, the Wassermann (Water Spirit) of Altausseer See provided a crucial clue: he revealed that the red stones of the Sandling contained salt. He even gave instructions on how to extract it—by dissolving the salt from the rocks using water and then boiling it out.

Regardless of how they first managed to extract this precious resource, what began as a small and rather primitive process eventually evolved into a true profession. Over time, the first boiling pans were developed to extract larger quantities of salt from the brine. The brine was transported down into the valley through wooden pipes, where it was further processed in newly established boiling houses.

With growing experience, salt production became increasingly efficient. Before long, the “white gold” became a major economic pillar of the region. Salt not only ensured prosperity for many generations but also gave the entire area its name—the Salzkammergut.

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Beauftragt von der LOSER BERGBAHNEN GMBH & CO KG

Projektteam:
Konzeption/Redaktion/Projektleitung: KULTURFUX – Die Ausstellungsmacherin, Gampern
Inhaltliche Beratung/Expertise/Texte Audioguide: Monika Gaiswinkler, Altaussee
Illustrationen AUGSTI: Philipp Pamminger, Linz
Texte/Übersetzung Tafeln, Sagentexte deutsch online: eo communications, Strobl
Grafische Gestaltung/Tafelproduktion: DESIGNEREI, Bad Aussee
AR-AUGSTI: SMESH OG, Linz
Audioguide-Produktion: ATP-Records, Altaussee (Aufnahme); Hearonymus GmbH, Wien (Audioguide-App)
Sprecherinnen: Monika Gaiswinkler (Deutsch), Eva Beerova (Tschechisch), Sarah Raich (Englisch)

Gefördert als Leaderprojekt der LEADER Regionalentwicklung Ennstal-Ausseerland