In Eibiswald, walk westwards along Marktstraße (market street) until reaching the main road, which must be crossed at the “Gottlobstein” and then continue to follow the signposting of the 05 North-South long distance hiking trail or the asphalt road on the Aichberg. The bending road goes uphill until it ends at a farmstead, where you must keep to the right and continue uphill along a dirt track. A picnic bench with a wonderful view over Eibiswald invites you to take a rest. Walk on upwards through the little wood, then slightly uphill along a dirt track to another farm. Keep to the left here, cross the farmstead and continue along a meadow path through pastureland for grazing horses. This brings you out onto an asphalt road again, where you must keep right and continue until reaching the turn-off to the right. Follow the road to reach a signpost indicating the way to St. Oswald and a second signpost for "Gasthof Bachseppl". Continue along an uphill track through the wood to a dirt track and then again onto the road. Keep to the right at the little chapel, briefly crossing the meadow and then onto an inconspicuous track through the wood until reaching the road again. Follow this road now until coming to a little settlement where a sharp left-turn must be taken after the last house into the meadow. The route borders the woods on an uphill course, then crosses the woods and becomes steeper for a while before reaching the Höchwirtkapelle chapel on leaving the wood, which is consecrated to Saint Anthony (approx. 2h). At the Höchwirtkapelle, cross the asphalt road and follow the track through the woods on a gentle incline until coming onto a road. Here, keep to the right. Finally, turn off into the woods and follow the trail until it makes a sharp right bend. It continues uphill again just a little further before finally reaching the asphalt road again and arriving at a fork at which you must keep to the left in the direction of St. Oswald. In front of the post office, Via Alpina turns off to the right onto a track. This track leads downward to the Stierriegelbach stream, where two wooden bridges allow you to cross, after which you must keep to the left and then follow a track through the woods, later continuing steeply uphill across the meadow. Then follow the signs to the right to the Hof Jammernig farm, cross it and follow the path uphill through the wood. When it meets the forest road, follow this road through an elder tree plantation until reaching St. Katharina in der Wiel. The route continues on an uphill track through the wood until reaching a roadway that leads to the Hof Erhard farm. Above this farm, keep to the left and turn right immediately afterwards to continue through the wood. On the next gravel road, keep to the left until reaching the hunting lodge (approx. 2h). Continue along an uphill meadow path, over a few wooden planks along the edge of the high-moor bogs, crossing the forest road several times and follow the signposting through the wood. Finally, the last stretch takes you along the forest path directly to the Schwanberger-Brendl Hut (approx. 1h from the hunting lodge).
In St. Ostwald, follow the signs eastwards and head towards the right at the first fork in the road outside the town (Marterl).
(Christina Schwann, OeAV)
 

St. Oswald ob Eibiswald was mentioned in a document for the first time in 1399. The place name dates back to the daughter church of the Eibiswald community built in the years 1723-1728 and dedicated to St. Oswald. Oswald, Prince of Northumbria, was born in around 604. During a British rebellion, he took refuge in the Hy Columban monastery, where he was baptized. In 634, he won back his land and with the help of the monks strived to introduce Christianity. In 635, he founded the monastery of Lindsfarne. He died in action in the battle with King Penda of Mercia in 642 at Matherfelth. The picture of St. Oswald hangs directly above the main altar in the parish church. He is portrayed with a raven carrying a ring in its beak. The raven is said to have helped Oswald in acquiring a bride. Oswald is also holding a goblet in his hands (the picture on the St. Oswald coat of arms), which contains chrisam to appoint Oswald king. The parish church of St. Katharina in der Wiel dates back to the year 1545. It is worthwhile taking a look at the "Da Ruß" (The Russian) memorial created by Carl Hermann to depict the moving story by Hans Kloepfer of a Russian who barricaded himself during World War in the hunting lodge. The trail from Eibiswald to the hunting lodge likewise bears the name “Dr.-Hans-Kloepfer-Weg”.
(Christina Schwann, OeAV)