Schladminger Tauern High Trail | 5-days-tour

Stage 1 - 6 to 7 hours Hochwurzen High Trail to the Giglachseen Lakes

Start out from the Hochwurzenhütte (accessible on the Hochwurzen cable car or via hiking path No. 60 from Rohrmoos). From the Hochwurzen car park, the trail takes us after just a few minutes via a newly laid-out path up the extended grassy ridgeline of the Rossfeld. From this easily reached scenic mountain, we can hike down to the south to the depression of the Leiterfußsattel with a sign for several different trails. Our path now takes us on trail #773 which originates in Obertal, leading us out of this alpine saddle through a battle-zone forest interspersed with numerous pine trees up to a popular scenic peak, the Guschen (elev. 1,983 m). From the summit cross on the Guschen, our path now takes us over the Schneidergipfel, and across the western flank of the Hochfeld and the striking Schiedeck mountain (2,339 m). The Klammsee and the Brettersee, as well as the eastern wall of the Kammspitze with its dramatically shaped toothed ridgeline, represent the heart of this magnificent path. The hike concludes with numerous small switchbacks, which meander down a steep mountainside to the Ignaz-Mattis-Hütte.

Variant 1: By public bus from Schladming and Rohrmoos to the Ursprungalm (or by private vehicle from Pichl or Schladming-Rohrmoos. From the Ursprungalm in around 1 hour to the Giglachseehütte or 11/4 hours to the Ignaz-Mattis-Hütte (hut run by the Alpine Association).

Variant 2: From the Ursprungalm up the so-called “Kranz”. Descent via the Brotrinnl to the Oberhütte. From the Oberhütte, path No. 702 to the Akarscharte (elev. 2,315 m). Opportunity to climb to the summit of the Steirische or Lungauer Kalkspitze (from the Akarscharte ca. 1/2 hour). Followed by a descent via the Znachsattel to the Giglachseehütte or Ignaz-Mattis-Hütte .

Stage 2 - 4 hours To the Giglachseen and the Keinprechthütte

Variant 1 - via the Rotmandlspitze: Setting out from the Giglachseehütte or the Ignaz-Mattis-Hütte, path No. 702 leads us to the eastern end of the Giglachseen lakes. From here the trail takes us on a moderate climb to the outer Knappenkar, then ascends very steeply in parts to the Rotmandlspitze (2,453 m). From there we continue to the Kruckeckscharte (2,303 m). Here the trail takes us downhill through a series of large hairpin bends until we again come to the beautifully situated Keinprechthütte at 1,872m above sea level.

Variant 2 - past Duisitzkarsee lake: From the Ignaz-Mattis-Hütte or Giglachseehütte across the Murspitzsattel on path No.775 to the shore of the Duisitzkarsee (1,648 m) with its two famous huts, the Duisitzkarhütte and Fahrlechalm .

Stage 3 - 6 to 9 hours Keinprecht-Hütte - Gollinghütte (long stage)

Departing from the Keinprechthütte, we follow path No. 702 through a large alpine cirque until we reach a fork in the trail. We continue alongside an area of pine trees to the Trockenbrotscharte (2,237 m). Two trail variants are now open to us: either a high trail – which begins at the Landawirtseehütte, or via the regular path to the inner Göriachwinkel. From here the trail goes to the Gollingscharte (2,326 m). From the Gollingscharte there is an opportunity to climb to the summit of the Hochgolling (2,963 m). Any ascent on this summit requires surefootedness, a head for heights, along with alpine experience. From the Gollingscharte, down across a field of ice and scree to the Gollingwinkel. In a quarter of an hour we will make our way across the Götterplatz and come to the Gollinghütte.

Stage 4 - 6 to 8 hours Gollinghütte - Klafferkessel - Preintalerhütte

Immediately after the Gollinghütte we cross the Steinriesenbach. In a series of serpentines, path No. 702 takes us up the Greifenberg. At an elevation of around 2,300 meters, the views open up to all sides. Before us lies Greifenbergsee lake and the summit cross of the Greifenberg (2,618 m). The summit affords us the best views of the Klafferkessel. A steep alpine trail now takes us downhill to the upper Klafferscharte. We continue across fields of snow and scree down to the actually heart of this tour, the Klafferkessel. We now pass countless tarns and pools on the way to the lower Klafferscharte. At this point, a trail takes us in a series of broad loops downhill to the outer Lämmerkar. After crossing the Waldhornbach, we will reach the Preintalerhütte and Waldhornalm.

5th stage | 5-6 hours via Höfertsteig and Neualmscharte into the Seewigtal

From the Preintalerhütte it goes past the backdrop of the Hochwildstelle (2,747 m) over the »Höfertsteig« in the direction of Neualm. At the Höfertsteig crossroads, before the Neualm, follow path no.782 to the Neualmscharte (2,347 m). During the ascent you can enjoy the view of the Riesachsee, which lies deep below, and the breathtaking view of the Seewigtal from the saddle. After a short rest, you now begin the rather steep descent. First you reach the Obersee, the banks of which are wonderfully suitable for another rest. About 40 minutes later you will reach the Hans-Wödl-Hütte above the Hüttensee, where you have truly earned a long rest. Then it's a good hour downhill to the Steirischer Bodensee and the Seewigtal car park, from where the hiking bus route 976 takes you back to Schladming. When booking the package, the hiking bus is included with the Sommercard.