Dream job as a mountain hut warden: Alpine life is a blessing!
The Steinberger family's Poschnhütte is located on the Genneralm at 1,300 metres above sea level. The cosy alpine hut is nestled between the Gennerhorn and Holzeck and is known for its good food, regional produce and warm hospitality. Kerstin Steinberger is a passionate hut warden. Together with her husband Josef, she runs the mountain hut, which has been in the family for generations. For her, one thing is certain: being a mountain hut landlady is her dream job!
Hike to the Poschnhütte on the Genneralm
It's 9 a.m. at the Lämmerbach car park in Hintersee, where we make our way to the Genneralm. The weather is perfect for a short hike. Pleasant, not too hot, a refreshing breeze blowing and the sun peeking through the clouds from time to time. In addition, forest tracks and the old alpine path lead right through a beautiful, shady forest. Several streams and waterfalls can be seen here, and the flora is bursting with diversity.
After just a few metres' walk, you get the feeling of being far away from the action. Surrounded by nature and the mountains. There is absolute peace and quiet, no street noise, no city noises. All you can hear is the chirping of the birds, the wind and the flowing water. This silence is pure luxury these days. It quickly feels like a holiday!
Our destination: today we're going to the Poschnhütte to meet the landlady Kerstin
Today we hike to the 'Poschnhütte', where we meet the landlady Kerstin Steinberger. It's a 2-hour walk of around 6 kilometres and 470 metres of ascent. The forest road is a little more leisurely, whereas the alpine path is quite steep. The good thing about this is that you don't have to choose a path right at the start, as the Almsteig trail to the Genneralm crosses the forest road again and again. This hike is therefore also ideal for sporty families. Today we have decided in favour of the Almsteig trail and hike with motivation towards the Genneralm. Almost at the top, out of the forest, you can already see the summit of the Holzeck on the left and the Gennerhorn on the right. The first cowbells ring out, and just a few metres further on you are greeted by cows and horses. They graze relaxed on the lush alpine meadows and look at us curiously.
A warm welcome at the Poschnhütte
We have now reached the Genneralm and stop off at the Poschnhütte for a thirst-quenching drink. The view of the surrounding mountain landscape is overwhelming. The view of the mighty Gennerhorn makes every mountaineer's heart beat faster. But now to the Poschnhütte: the large garden decorated with flowers is very inviting and even has a children's playground for younger guests. Rabbits and sheep are also part of the "inventory" and are great fun for children. Speaking of children, one of Kerstin and Josef Steinberger's three daughters greets us in a very friendly manner and joins us. Kerstin's mum is also hard at work and welcomes us in a good mood. We seem to be the first guests today.
Hut manager Kerstin Steinberger
Then we meet Kerstin, the young landlady of the hut. She starts the summer season on the mountain pasture with great motivation. She tells us a lot about life on the mountain pasture: "My day always starts early in the morning. First I heat up the stove, then I prepare breakfast for the guests and then I look after our cows, oxen, horses, sheep and rabbits." During the day, hikers stop off at the Poschnhütte, most of whom are very hungry and thirsty. Fortunately, culinary delicacies such as homemade cheese dumplings and plum pancakes enrich the Poschnhütte menu. Incidentally, you can also spend the night at the Poschenhütte:
"Many holiday guests such as mountaineers, hikers, cyclists or families with children are accommodated in our five rooms at the hut. So we cook fresh food for dinner again - so that the evening can end on a cosy note at the Genneralm ," says Kerstin about her fulfilling day as a dairymaid at the Gruberalm.
Impressions of the hike
Life as a dairymaid at the Poschnhütte
Kerstin tells us that life as a dairymaid and alpine pasture landlady comes with a few challenges: "One particular challenge is managing our three children - especially in the low season when there are no summer holidays. After all, the children have to go to school and also have a few other appointments - thank goodness the whole family helps together to manage it all!" It helps that the Weissenbacher/Steingruber family's home is right next to the car park in Lämmerbach mentioned above, so it's not far away. During the holidays, the children also spend most of the summer on the mountain pasture, where they can experience a sheltered childhood in the mountains. Kerstin's husband Josef works, but spends every free moment with his wife and daughters on the mountain pasture.
Hiking tips around the Genneralm from the landlady
Even though life as a hut warden involves a lot of work, Kerstin likes to use her free time to hike up the Gennerhorn, which is right next door. The Hohe Zinken, Osterhorn, Holzeck and several other peaks are also worth a hike. However, you should be really sure-footed for the surrounding mountain peaks. If you prefer a more leisurely pace, you can also visit the neighbouring mountain pastures such as Gruberalm, Feichtensteinalm or Bergalm. The beauty of this place is that there really is a suitable hike for everyone. Cyclists and e-bikers also enjoy travelling here, and the Poschnhütte even has an e-charging station thanks to the PV system on the roof.
Alpine landlady with a passion
"Many people imagine life on the mountain pasture to be so romantic, but it does involve a lot of work. Nevertheless, it would be unimaginable for me to miss even one summer up here," enthuses Kerstin. When we ask her whether she would prefer to go on holiday to the sea, the lake or somewhere else, she says no. Because she loves being a mountain hut landlady and wouldn't swap it for anything in the world. The sunrises and sunsets on the mountain pasture, the wonderful views, the peace and quiet and the contact with the animals - all this makes Kerstin's life incomparably beautiful and special for her.
Editor: Stephanie Kornberger
Stephanie Kornberger, also known as "Nat-urvertrauen", is an animal communicator, herbalist, hiker in the Salzkammergut and loves to write about God and the world.
- www.nat- urvertrauen.at
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"What is your favourite place in the Fuschlseeregion & what makes the region so special for you?"
The special thing about the Fuschlseeregion for me is that it is so diverse. From alpine pastures, alpine mountain peaks and circular hiking trails, it has it all. Many lakes and mountains enrich this area and I am very grateful to be able to live here.
