The Gainschnigg-Alm is one of 170 certified summer hill farms in Salzburg. In the summer of 2016 it was the shooting location of the new film series “Meisi’s journey through SalzburgerLand”. In the series former ski racer (two-time world champion and overall world cup winner) Alexandra Meissnitzer presents her hometown’s most special places. During her research she heard of the brilliant farmer’s doughnuts at Gainschnigg-Alm. This is how she got to know Sophie Ennsmann and her husband Sepp.
I was absolutely thrilled to meet these wonderful people, who are farmers with heart and soul. Together with Sophie Ennsmann I was allowed to bake her legendary farmer’s doughnuts – Alexandra Meissnitzer
For Sophie Ennsmann baking doughnuts is part of her everyday life – at least in summer, when the days are long. The mountain farmer’s day starts best, when she manages to go swimming for a few laps in the nearby moor lake. Afterwards the cows are fed, the cheese, which is made by hand, gets prepared and the dough for the farmer’s doughnuts is mixed. At mid-morning the first hungry hikers arrive. Even though there is a lot to do, the mountain farmer is always up for a chat.
Living on the mountain pasture is not easy and you really have to be passionate about what you do. But for me it means true fulfilment. I like the people who come visit us, I like the animals and I like what I am doing up here all day long. – Sophie Ennsmann
One who always stops for a bite to eat at Gainschnigg-Alm is national park ranger Ferdinand Rieger. During the making of “Meisi’s journey” he led Alexandra Meissnitzer through the magical “Rauriser Jungle”. The hike up to the Gainschnigg-Alm takes roughly 45 minutes. Excursions with the ranger organized by the holiday region national park Upper Tauern can be booked all summer long. Along the way you will discover hundred-year-old ant hills, see notches from the rare three-toed Woodpecker, wolf lichen and the age-old pointed spruce. At the end of each hike all participants end up at Sophie Ennsmann’s cottage.
Many people have no real relation to nature: the Rauriser Jungle is a true gem, whose mysticism and secrets quickly cast a spell on people. – Ferdinand Rieger