Forest Wellness Themed Trail on the Reiterkogel
It is the setting for spooky fairy tales, a romantic meeting place for newlyweds, a place to recharge for those seeking peace and quiet—but also a reliable source of fresh air and food for both humans and animals. The forest! To some, it is dark and gloomy; to others, it is like a safe embrace; and to still others, it is an exciting, action-packed playground. But one thing is certain—without the forest, there would be no life and no air to breathe.
If you look at the history books of the Glemmtal, you can see at a glance: there used to be far less forest here! How did that happen? It was a time when wood was the settlers’ urgently needed fuel and building material. In addition, the wood was sold to the saltworks in Bad Reichenhall. Log drivers ensured that the tree trunks were transported down the Saalach river to the saltworks for salt production. This led to the clear-cutting of the local forests, which were only reforested in subsequent generations. Today, 4,000 hectares of forest once again cover the slopes of the Glemmtal. The local forests provide crystal-clear spring water and fresh air, as well as the finest game, mushrooms, berries, and herbs, which are delivered fresh for use in the kitchens of hotels and restaurants.
Let's go forest bathing
The new Forest Wellness Trail on the Reiterkogel offers a particularly relaxing getaway in the woods. In a 200-year-old, pristine forest above the Reiteralm, you can immerse yourself in a world of lush green moss and wild lichen. In the shade of towering spruce trees, you’ll find designated yoga spots, hammocks for swinging, wooden loungers, a forest library, and picnic areas. Pre-packed picnic baskets for your culinary forest getaway can be picked up at the Reiteralm upon advance reservation. Then it’s off to forest bathing! The positive and healing effects of the forest on people have now been scientifically proven and have been officially named the “Biophilia Effect,” or colloquially, “forest bathing.” So what the Japanese have long practiced as “forest medicine” can now be enjoyed on a hike during your vacation in the Home of Lässig.
The Forest as an Energy Source
Anyone who steps into the forest—with eyes and ears wide open—and lets themselves be carried away by the energy of the conifers and deciduous trees can feel its fascination. You don’t have to hug the trees to do this—though you’re welcome to, of course, if you want. Just pause for a moment, take a deep breath, close your eyes, and listen. The sounds of the forest then become very loud—the woodpecker taps, mice rustle in the undergrowth, a deer bleats in the distance, and hoverflies buzz against the light. You can smell the mushrooms, the berries, the damp moss, and the green lichens. The rhythm of the forest is never hectic like rap or hip-hop—rather, it’s as solemn as a ballad. And whoever adapts to this rhythm becomes calm and serene as well. Personally, I find the forest especially beautiful when it rains. The scent is more intense; the patter of raindrops on the green moss cushions is like a steady metronome. Plop, plop, plop…. Plus, when it rains, you usually have the forest all to yourself. You nod almost conspiratorially to the hare crouching in a dry hollow, or make eye contact with a knowing smile at the deer that ventures out of cover to graze during a break in the rain.
Those in the know sample the berries—at the raspberry patches, you have to fight the wasps for the sweet fruit; later in the year, the Moosbee (blackberries) beckon, and even later, the Granggn (cranberries). Mushroom connoisseurs gather chanterelles, parasol mushrooms, and king oyster mushrooms to prepare their next meal, herbalists gather ingredients for their forest apothecary, and hunters provide fresh game in accordance with hunting traditions. If you can’t tell a fly agaric from a porcini mushroom and confuse blackberries with cloudberries—the restaurants, huts, and inns in the Home of Lässig look forward to your visit!
Image and text sources: saalbach.com