Legend Trail Station – The Forest Woman

Raven Ferdinand from the Kufsteinerland narrates: CAW! Once, at the Hunter's Chapel, a desperate deserter wanted to end his life when he heard the bright bells of the Hinterthierseer Parish Church and had a change of heart. But the following legend is said to have occurred here as well...Long ago, in the dense forest between Thiersee and Brandenberg, there was even more deer, red deer, and chamois than there are today. This not only pleased the authorized hunters but also attracted unscrupulous poachers who shot anything that came before their rifle without hesitation. Once, a herdsman climbed down from the alpine pasture with a heavy load of butter and cheese when he saw a dignified figure standing on a hill. The tall woman wore a moss-green hat and a long, wrinkled gown that resembled an old-fashioned hunting coat. The herdsman stopped in amazement. He had never seen such a beautiful and yet eerie woman before! She looked at him kindly and said, "Herdsman, I need your help. In the past, there was an abundance of the finest game on this mountain. But shameful people pursue it and spare not even the young and mother animals. This must end. I appoint you as the guardian of my forest realm and want you to drive away the wicked poachers." A shiver ran down the herdsman's spine as he heard this, and he would have gladly said no. But the Forest Woman pointed at him and continued speaking, "If you do not obey me, I will no longer protect the animals on your alpine pasture, so that not a single piece of your herd will remain alive!" The herdsman shuddered, but he agreed and kept his promise as long as he lived. Since then, the populations increased again, and the old inhabitants of Thiersee told that the forest had never been without game since – but also that many a poacher disappeared in it without a trace.But perhaps you can discover a trace of the mysterious Forest Woman? It is said that each of her hand and footprints left a patch of moss. So look around and see where she may have walked or sat... CAW!