Dwarves and Sigmund Freud
From the dwarfs’ trail to Thumsee, castle views and Saalach rail power.
This route combines imagination, lakeside scenery, history and engineering in a varied loop. You begin with the charming forest dwarfs’ trail and then reach Lake Thumsee – a calm mix of clear water, mountain backdrop and bathing spots. By the shore, the Seewirt adds a story that even touches on Sigmund Freud, before you turn uphill again.
Next comes the castle ruins and the high-perched church overlooking Karlstein. After that you return to the valley: from the small spa garden you can look across to the Alpenland fish farm, with the option of a short detour to the farm shop. Another stop is the paragliding landing site, where you can place many of today’s stations within one wide panorama. The finale is the Saalach power plant, where the water re-emerges after its passage through the mountain and has been generating railway power for more than a century. Depending on your energy level, the route can be split into two stages with a bus option and takes about 4 to 5 hours in total.
Places to Eat
Seewirt am Thumsee
after about 2 hours
The Seewirt am Thumsee offers modern atmosphere in a house with tradition and view.
Fischzucht Alpenland
after about 3.5 hours
A farm sale directly from the Alpenland fish farm. A small snack on site or fresh fish for home to take.
B306 im Kirchbergschlössl
after about 4 hours
With a small detour at the end (follow the Thumseestraße and not turn into the forest at the power station) you can get to the Kirchbergschlössl in which there is a steakhouse in rustic atmosphere.
Stations of the route
Click on a station to see details
Start: Vacation Apartment
As always, the route starts at the holiday apartment. Titled “Dwarfs and Sigmund Freud”, this walk combines playful imagination with real history: from the charming forest “Zwergerlweg” to a place once visited by Sigmund Freud. Along the way you’ll encounter medieval walls, a dramatically positioned pilgrimage church, wide alpine views and an early 20th-century engineering landmark on the Saalach.
The tour can easily be split into two parts: the section to Lake Thumsee makes a perfect first stage, with the option of taking the local bus back. Continuing on adds castle ruins, panoramic viewpoints and the power plant – a varied blend of nature, history and unexpected stories.
