Paßthurn: Nature, Trails and History at Wasenmoos

Paßthurn can be explored through specific nature and trail-related topics: Wasenmoos is home to three carnivorous plant species native to Austria; peat extraction and a historic transport route tell the story of the moor’s former use. There is also a viewing pavilion overlooking the Hohe Tauern and trails through the raised bog.

Key facts

• From the Pass Thurn–Tauernblick starting point, the Moor Erlebnisweg reaches a viewing pavilion with a viewing platform after 150 m.
• The platform offers views of the Hohe Tauern.
• The trail to Wasenmoos starts at the car park and bus stop by the Tauernblick inn.
• Sundews, butterworts and bladderworts grow in Wasenmoos; all three are carnivorous plants native to Austria.
• From 1781 to 1819, peat was extracted there as fuel for the copper vitriol boiling works in Kronau.
• The historic Waasenmoosweg was about six kilometres long; pack animals were used to transport peat along it to Mühlbach.
• Stage 06 of the Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail follows Trail No. 77 through the Wasenmoos raised bog.

Wasenmoos: Nature and History

The three plants mentioned give nature-watching in Wasenmoos a specific focus: they are not only native, but carnivorous, too. The names sundew, butterwort and bladderwort thus point to a distinctive feature of the moor. Those interested in nature and landscape can explore the area from a different perspective than through the historical details about how it was used.

Peat was extracted as fuel for the copper vitriol boiling works in Kronau over a clearly defined period. The historic Waasenmoosweg adds the story of its transport: peat was carried along it to Mühlbach by pack animals. Its approximate length of six kilometres is part of this historical route description. This should be distinguished from the 150 m to the viewing pavilion on the Moor Erlebnisweg: the figures refer to different routes and therefore answer different planning questions.

Trails, Views and Tours

The distance given for the Moor Erlebnisweg is tied to a specific destination: the viewing pavilion with its platform is 150 m from the Pass Thurn–Tauernblick starting point. The trail to Wasenmoos has its own starting-point information: the car park and bus stop by the Tauernblick inn. When working out how the routes fit together, it helps to consider these details separately rather than treating them as one shared starting point.

Stage 06 of the Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail follows Trail No. 77, the “Hochmoorrunde,” through the raised bog. Another, quite different tour takes you by mountain bike from Mittersill along the old Paß-Straße road on the Mittersiller Sonnberg towards Paß Thurn. Before the Breitmoos inn, it branches off onto a high-level trail towards Mühlbach.

At Nationalpark-Panorama Resterhöhe, a Smart Viewer in a small exhibition provides orientation and additional information about the protected area. From there, you can see most of the mountain peaks as well as the national park’s largely unspoilt high-alpine landscape. Opening is seasonal, so check the dates before your visit.

Guidance for Finding Accommodation

The car park and bus stop by the Tauernblick inn are given as the starting point for the trail to Wasenmoos. Separately, an older tourism brochure describes a ski bus route from Mittersill over Pass Thurn to Kitzbühel. According to the brochure, it serves the Panoramabahn mid-station and the Resterhöhe chairlift valley station. As the brochure is older, check the current route and timetable before planning your trip. If this connection is important to your choice of accommodation, include this check in your planning.

The place names and topics can help you decide what matters most to you: Wasenmoos combines plant life with a history of land use, the viewing pavilion looks out towards the Hohe Tauern, and the routes described have different focuses.

Discover more destinations: Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Aufhausen, Berg, Bramberg, Gumping, Reith, Taxenbach, Grubing

FAQ

What is the difference between the Moor Erlebnisweg and the historic Waasenmoosweg?

The 150 m refers to the distance from the Pass Thurn–Tauernblick starting point to the viewing pavilion. The approximately six kilometres refers to the historic Waasenmoosweg, along which peat was transported to Mühlbach.

Which carnivorous plants grow in Wasenmoos?

The plants named are sundew, butterwort and bladderwort. All three are native to Austria.

What can you learn from the Smart Viewer at Resterhöhe?

In a small exhibition, it serves as an orientation aid and provides additional information about the protected area. The exhibition is open seasonally; check the dates in advance.

What is the route of Stage 06 of the Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail?

It follows Trail No. 77, the “Hochmoorrunde,” through the Wasenmoos raised bog.

What should you bear in mind about the ski bus route described?

The information comes from an older tourism brochure. So check the current route and timetable before including the connection in your plans.

For the broader travel overview: Zell am See District (Pinzgau).