Landwirt, Bergwanderführer und Naturvermittler – Gerhard Weissenbacher

Gerhard Weissenbacher has been closely connected with nature, agriculture, and the special landscape of the Ausseerland since his childhood. The family farm has been cultivated since the 16th century. From his parents and grandparents, Gerhard learned early on how closely farming work is linked to the weather, the seasons, and natural conditions. His father, among other things, kept cattle and sheep and knew the surrounding forests, meadows, and Almen (mountain pastures) precisely. Today, Gerhard is a part-time farmer and wants to share his enthusiasm for nature and his homeland with others. As a mountain hiking guide, he accompanies guests to lower and higher Almen and offers individually designed tours for families and groups. The focus is not only on hiking together and experiencing nature – Gerhard also imparts a lot of interesting facts about the landscape, Alm management, wildlife, and rural life. Whether a leisurely family hike or a completely individually planned tour: the tours are tailored to the respective wishes, interests, and abilities of the participants. Sheep and lambs have always been part of rural life on the farm. In spring, they are directly on the farm; later, they are brought to lower Almen and other grazing areas where mechanical cultivation is not possible. In doing so, the animals make an important contribution to the preservation of the traditional cultural landscape. Another important component of landscape maintenance are the species-rich flower meadows. Many farmers in Grundlsee mow their meadows only two to a maximum of three times a year for “Heu & Grumet” (hay and aftermath). The third cut, the so-called “Omadl”, gives the flowers sufficient time to bloom and offers numerous insects an important food source. At the same time, high-quality hay is produced, which is particularly suitable for species-appropriate keeping of cattle and sheep. For Gerhard, agriculture, nature, and life in the mountains are inextricably linked. During his hikes and nature experiences, he wants to pass on this connection and bring his guests closer to the Ausseerland with all its special features, its rural tradition, and its unique landscape.