Recharge your batteries in the silence of the box seat
I just love being up here. Through the forest on shady ground, always looking up. Up to the highest point on the Kopfberg. There, where the local patron saint of Annaberg, St. Anna, perched on a true box seat. It was carved by Ernst Adelsberger, a well-known artist from Waidhofen/Ybbs. Once a year, around the name day of St. Francis of Assisi. Anna, on July 26, a devotion was celebrated in her honor up here. Accompany me on the way up and to the devotion!
Hay figures and fun golf
The way up to the power box starts directly in the center of Annaberg. Via the HeuART path you get up the first part. This easily accessible forest road houses the hay figures that are made for the annual HeuART parade in the Lammer Valley. After the hay figures move, they can be seen everywhere in the village for some time before they move here to the quiet forest under the protective canopy of the forest. LUAN – the hay caterpillar can be found along the way, as well as the funny cartoon characters from the animation hit “Madagascar” or a “Schnappsteufelchen” on the tree and the Dachsteinweiberl, an old legend figure from the region.
On the last section through the forest there is again something special to discover: Here you can play Gaudi Golf! Gaudi Golf is modeled on miniature golf, except that the figures incorporate the rural and alpine ambience of the surroundings. In loving work the responsible persons of the tourism association have designed and built the stations themselves. The beginning is where the fox and the hare say “good day” to each other. The course is easy to walk and can be played in several variations. At the Salzburg Dolomitenhof you can get clubs, ball and score card.
200 steps to the box seat in the forest
Shortly before the Harreit snack station, my path now branches off to the left. The forest floor is wonderful to walk on and soon I see the mountain station of the Kopfbergbahn, which in winter takes skiers directly from the village of Annaberg to the Dachstein-West ski region. After the station, another “tougher chunk” awaits me: now it’s 200 steps “skyward”. This section of the trail is also called the “belly-legs-buttocks trail”. Try it and you’ll know why! Step by step I climb to the top of the Kopfberg.
The trail section is challenging, but not too long. I can already see the roof of the small chapel that our trail supervisor built. Günther had to drag every single board, every nail and his tools up here to make a nice roof for the saint. It has almost become a small forest chapel. To mix the cement for the foundation, he put a container on top, with an umbrella he caught the water! So at least he didn’t have to wear that. His wife Erika also supported him energetically!
The face of Anna
Once I reach the top, I have to take a deep breath. But the sight of the carved statue is worth the effort to me every time! The carver has understood his craft, kindly and lovingly Anna looks at the hikers who strive up to her. Ernst Adelsberger revealed to us at the inauguration that he took his wife’s face as a model. There is hardly a nicer compliment!
The devotion in the forest
Gradually, the other pilgrims begin to arrive. The Annaberg Male Voice Choir does not miss the opportunity to provide musical accompaniment to the devotion every year. Beautiful to stand here, in the middle of the forest, the sun’s rays falling through the canopy and the birds chirping accompany us in the songs we sing together. Grounded like this, you recharge your batteries for everyday life.
After the devotion it is a must to stop at the Harreit Resi. Not only are the barbecue specialties worth stopping by, Resi has a few kind words – and a good schnapps – ready for everyone! In front of her house, I let my gaze and thoughts wander to the surrounding mountains before I come back to myself and head down into the valley, invigorated.
Do you sometimes need a little time out? Do you want to switch off for a little while, just lost in your thoughts? Get going – the box seat at Kopfberg doesn’t necessarily bring a view, but insight and that’s worth just as much in a hectic world now and then!
