The Schladminger Tauern high trail is wild and adventurous: it connects seven mountain huts and leads through an impressive alpine landscape with numerous mountain lakes, waterfalls and rugged peaks. This high trail is considered one of the most beautiful in the Austrian Alps and is both scenic and challenging, a real highlight for experienced mountain hikers. I thought the high trail was fantastic - chapeau!
Contents
1. Arrival
2nd route
3rd stage
4th Guide
5. Further information
6. Accommodation
7. Packing list
8. GPX and map information
9. Conclusion
The Schladminger Tauern High Trail
The Schladminger Tauern High Trail is a spectacular hiking trail in the Schladminger Tauern, which runs for around 85 kilometers. The trail mostly follows an altitude of 2000 meters and offers hikers unforgettable views of the surrounding mountains. There are several short detours along the high trail for mountain tours, such as to Hochgolling, Predigtstuhl or Hochwildstelle.
Getting to the Schladminger Höhenweg
Train: The town of Schladming is well connected to the rail network. From the train station you can easily reach the Hochwurzen summit cable car, which takes you to the Hochwurzenhütte - the starting point of the Schladminger Tauern Höhenweg.
Car: From Schladming via the L722 Rohrmoosstraße towards Rohrmoos, at the roundabout continue straight on to the valley station of the Gipfelbahn Hochwurzen.
Airplane: The nearest airports are Salzburg Airport (SZG) and Graz Airport (GRZ). From there you can travel to Schladming by public transport such as bus or train or by rental car.
Bus: From Schladming you can take the "Planai-Hochwurzen Bahnen" bus to the valley station of the Hochwurzen summit cable car. You can find the homepage here: www.planaibus.at
Parking: At the car park of the valley station Gipfelbahn Hochwurzen.
Starting point: Hochwurzenhütte
As always, I recommend my video from this region:
Schladminger Höhenweg route
Introduction: The Schladminger Tauern High Trail is a demanding multi-day hike with a length of around 88 km. For all stages, you should have experience in alpine terrain, be in good shape, surefooted and free from vertigo. On average, you can expect around 1,000 metres of ascent and descent each day, which will take several hours of walking. Warning: The trail also leads over alpine paths, some of which are secured with ropes. The terrain is often steep and sloping, so the hike requires a lot of attention and skill. You can find out more about this in the subsection Difficulties.
Schladminger Tauern Höhenweg 3 days
Stage 1: Almgasthaus Riesachfall via Klafferkessel to Gollinghütte
Stage 2: Gollinghütte to Keinprechthütte (optional with Hochgolling 2862m)
Stage 3: Keinprechthütte to Hochwurzenhütte
Attention, very long stages: You have to overcome about 40km and 3700m of altitude!
Schladminger Tauern Höhenweg 4 days
Stage 1: Hochwurzenhütte - Ignaz-Mattis-Hütte or Giglachseehütte
Stage 2: Ignaz-Mattis-Hütte or Giglachseehütte - Keinprechthütte
Stage 3: Keinprechthütte - Gollinghütte (optional with Hochgolling 2862m)
Stage 4: Gollinghütte - Gasthof zum Riesachfall
Schladminger Tauern Höhenweg 5 days
Stage 1: Hochwurzenhütte - Ignaz-Mattis-Hütte or Giglachseehütte
Stage 2: Ignaz-Mattis-Hütte or Giglachseehütte - Keinprechthütte
Stage 3: Keinprechthütte - Gollinghütte (optional with Hochgolling 2862m)
Stage 4: Gollinghütte - Preintalerhütte
Stage 5: Preintalerhütte - Waldhornalm - Planai cable car or towards Aich (optional with Hochwildstelle 2747m)
Schladminger Tauernhöhenweg 7 days
Stage 1: Hochwurzenhütte - Ignaz-Mattis-Hütte or Giglachseehütte
Stage 2: Ignaz-Mattis-Hütte or Giglachseehütte - Keinprechthütte
Stage 3: Keinprechthütte - Gollinghütte (optional with Hochgolling 2862m)
Stage 4: Gollinghütte - Preintalerhütte
Stage 5: Preintalerhütte - Putzentalalm
Stage 6: Putzentalalm - Rudolf-Schober-Hütte
Stage 7: Rudolf-Schober-Hütte - St. Nikolai im Sölktal
Schladminger Tauern Höhenweg Guide
Day 1: Hochwurzenhöhenweg to Giglachsee (6 to 7 hours)
The first day of the hike began at the Hochwurzenhütte , which I reached comfortably with the Hochwurzen summit cable car. Alternatively, you could have chosen to ascend via hiking trail no. 60 from Rohrmoos. From the Hochwurzen, the path led directly to the first easily accessible summit, and the view was breathtaking. I hope your start to the hike will be just as beautiful, especially with good weather. Your path then continues through a picturesque stone pine forest to a popular viewing summit at 1,983 meters. Next, you reach the striking elevation of the Schiedeck at 2,339 meters. The path repeatedly offers you impressive views, especially of the Kammspitze. Finally, the path winds in many small serpentines down the steep slope to the Giglachseen, where the Ignaz-Mattis-Hütte and the Giglachseehütte will be invitingly waiting for you.
Day 2: Ignaz-Mattis-Hütte or Giglachseehütte to Keinprechthütte (4 hours)
The first light of morning was already slowly coming through the windows of the mountain hut and illuminating the room. I had to be careful not to wake anyone up when I set off. The air was cool and fresh, only the chirping of birds and the rushing of the wind could be heard. You continue your hike on trail no. 702. After the lakes, you climb up into the outer Knappenkar, up to the Rotmandlspitze at 2,453 meters. The view from up there is spectacular. After the Kruckeckscharte at 2,303 meters, the trail winds down in large serpentines until you finally reach the beautifully situated Keinprechthütte at 1,872 meters above sea level. An alternative route leads past the Duisitzkarsee. At the Keinprechthütte you can enjoy Austrian cuisine and the wonderful mountain atmosphere - moments of joy are guaranteed! Use the remaining time of the shortest stage of your tour to explore further!
Don't forget to take an emergency bivouac with you. It consists of an emergency blanket that is cold-resistant, a whistle and a mini compass. It should be in your rucksack on every hike anyway.
As the old Scottish proverb goes, "There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing!"
Day 3: Keinprechthütte to Gollinghütte (6 to 9 hours) - optional with Hochgolling (3 hours)
The short stage did me a lot of good. I would also like to highlight the wonderful Styrian cuisine here. For you, it's time to grit your teeth! The third stage is one of the longer and more demanding sections of the tour. You follow path no. 702 again from the Keinprechthütte through a large cirque until you reach the fork in the path. A little later, the path leads through the Trockenbrotscharte at 2,237 meters. I recommend that you take the normal route through the Inner Göriachwinkel. Finally, you reach the Gollingscharte at 2,326 meters. There you have the opportunity to climb the summit of the Hochgolling at 2,863 meters, which requires surefootedness and alpine experience.
The last section to the summit in particular requires a high level of concentration and good physical condition. Since the weather was good, I dared to climb and was rewarded with wonderful views. However, on the ascent and descent you must expect to cross very steep old snow fields. You also have to use your hands on the normal route to the summit. There are no climbing sections in the technical sense; in my opinion, it is more of an alpine climb.
Tip: Some people left some of their equipment at the gap in order to lighten their backpacks for the mountain tour and not have to carry so much weight. After this optional detour, you will head down into the Gollingwinkel, to the highest amphitheater in the region, until you finally reach the inviting Gollinghütte . The surrounding mountain landscape is stunningly beautiful - goosebumps guaranteed!
Due to the long distance and the sweaty altitude difference, I would like to recommend my ultra-light hiking gear at this point:
I would also like to recommend my beloved Salewa trekking shoes because of the mountain and jungle landscape and the challenging mountain trails:
„Gib deiner Frau die richtigen Schuhe und sie kann die ganze Welt erobern." Zitat von Marilyn Monroe
Look at the following pictures in the slider:
Day 4: Gollinghütte to Klafferkessel and Preintalerhütte (6 to 8 hours)
I was very moved by the spirit of optimism at the Gollinghütte . I met hikers and mountaineers everywhere - a really great feeling! The hut was embedded in a barren mountain landscape, surrounded by green slopes. A perfect environment to continue your hike from the Gollinghütte. You follow path no. 702 along the Steinriesenbach and in many switchbacks up to the Greifenberg. At an altitude of 2,618 meters you can enjoy an impressive view of the surrounding mountains. From there you also have the best view of the Klafferkessel, a real highlight of the tour. The descent is steep and leads through the upper Klafferscharte to the numerous lakes of the Klafferkessel, which are surrounded by fields of snow and scree. The path through the outer Lämmerkar finally takes you to the Preintalerhütte .
Day 5: Preintalerhütte to Putzentalalm (7 to 9 hours)
After a hearty breakfast in the Preintalerhütte , which you will certainly need for this longer stage, you cross the Sonntagskarbach and follow path no. 702, which winds steeply up through the Trattenkar to the Trattenscharte at 2,408 meters. After the highest point of this tour, the path leads you through a small labyrinth of lakes that resembles the Klafferkessel. You pass the Lassacheralm and follow the path to the Putzentalalm .
As you have already left the jungle and there is little shade and you are constantly exposed to the movement of the air, I recommend my beloved Piz Buin Mountain sun cream with SPF 50+ lip care, as well as my ultra-light sun cap and wind blocker.
• Sun cap
"The sun also shines behind the clouds." Quote from Karl Friedrich Wilhelm Wander
Day 6: Putzentalalm to Rudolf-Schober-Hütte (6 to 8 hours)
From the Putzentalalm you hike past the Schwarzensee and turn off to the Grafenalm. Trail no. 702 leads over the Neualm to the Rantentörl and further to the Hubenbauertörl. After several hours you reach the Rudolf-Schober-Hütte . Alternatively you can take trail no. 793 to reach the summit of the Predigtstuhl at 2,643 meters. However, I skipped the Predigtstuhl.
Day 7: Rudolf-Schober-Hütte to St. Nikolai in Sölktal (5 to 8 hours)
The last day of hiking dawned and promised to be a worthy end to this impressive tour. With the first rays of sunshine, I began the climb to the Schimpelscharte. The fresh mountain air filled my lungs as I walked the path. Then enjoy the last section of your tour. You then take a climb to the Schimpelscharte. There you can then branch off again to the Süßleiteck (2507m). I skipped it due to time constraints. The final descent to St. Nikolai in the Sölktal along the Bräualmbach was the perfect end to an unforgettable hike. Did you reach your goal? Congratulations on this great achievement - you have my respect! I would be very pleased to receive your feedback and photos in the comments.
Take the "Sölktaler" valley bus back to "Stein an der Enns" and from there take the train or the post bus www.postbus.at back to Schladming.
Long-distance hiking trails: The 200 most beautiful long-distance hiking and trekking trails in the world!
Accommodations on the Schladminger Höhenweg
Most cabins must be reserved online as there are limited sleeping spaces available!
At https://www.alpenverein.at/huetten/finder.php you can find all Alpine Club huts and their contact details.
Luggage transfer: According to my current information, there is no luggage transfer available on the long-distance hiking trail.
Wild camping: Is generally prohibited in Austria and only permitted in emergencies (bivouacking).
To optimally prepare for your hikes, I recommend the workouts on my YouTube channel.
Schladminger Tauern Höhenweg Weather and best travel time
The summer months from July to mid-September are the most popular time to explore the Schladminger Tauern High Trail. During this time, the days are longest, temperatures are pleasant, and the snow melt has largely uncovered the hiking trails. The huts along the trail are open, and you can experience the full splendor of the alpine landscape. However, note that the summer months are also the busiest time, and the huts can often be busy or fully booked, so it is advisable to book in advance.
Warning: Remember that conditions in the mountains can often change quickly. Regardless of the season, it is important to bring appropriate hiking equipment, weatherproof clothing and sufficient provisions.
More information
Money: Some huts only accept cash. For an overnight stay with half board and packed lunch, you should expect to pay around 60-80 euros per day.
Cell phone reception: I did not have consistent network coverage.
Food: At each hut you will receive hot meals as well as sufficient food, for example in the form of packed lunches.
Water: You will often find water sources along the way. Make sure that your water container is always well filled. I usually had around 2 liters with me. Water quickly becomes scarce, especially in the mountains. You should definitely take a water filter with you, as the water, no matter how clear it appears, can contain contaminants such as animal excrement or dead animals. Alternatively, you can boil the water to be on the safe side.
Wildlife: The mountains are home to a diverse range of wildlife, including animals such as mountain goats, horses and marmots. Keep a respectful distance from the animals and remember that they are wild and can react unpredictably.
Schladminger Tauern Höhenweg difficulty
The Schladminger Tauern High Trail is a demanding multi-day hike that requires experience in alpine terrain, good fitness, surefootedness and a head for heights. The daily walking time is often several hours, with an average ascent and descent of around 1,000 meters. The route runs along alpine paths, some with rope safety, and leads through steep and sloping sections.
Weather conditions: Weather conditions in the mountains can change very quickly. Sudden changes in weather, fog, thunderstorms and drops in temperature are possible. It is important to pay attention to the weather forecasts, take appropriate clothing and react accordingly in bad weather.
Attention: Snowfall can also occur in the summer months, although only rarely.
Solitude: Parts of the Schladming High Trail can be remote and take you away from civilization and communication options. Make sure you communicate with other hikers or hut operators and let them know about your plans.
Alpine experience: The Schladminger Höhenweg has challenging sections with steep climbs and exposed paths (secured with ropes). Experience in mountain hiking, orientation and safe walking in challenging terrain is necessary.
Trail markings: The Schladminger Höhenweg is marked in blue in places and mostly in RED and BLACK.
Children: It's pretty self-explanatory, but I'll mention it anyway - I would definitely advise against doing this trail with children! According to the Schladming Tourist Board, this multi-day tour is suitable for young people aged 15 and over. *Source Gerhard Pilz*
Schladming Höhenweg: Most beautiful section
The most beautiful section of the Schladminger Tauern high trail leads through the Klafferkessel. This high alpine plateau, characterized by numerous crystal-clear lakes, surrounded by imposing peaks and rugged rocks, offers an impressive natural experience. The hike through the Klafferkessel is particularly attractive because the area impresses with its untouched landscape and diverse flora and fauna. Alternatively, you can take a detour to the Hochgolling, the highest peak in the Schladminger Tauern, which impresses with its majestic presence. A visit to the Riesach waterfall, the highest waterfall in Styria, or the ascent to the Predigtstuhl also offer you other unforgettable views. This section rewards every hiker with a unique atmosphere and impressive panoramas.
Amphitheater: The Hochgolling forms the highest natural amphitheater in the Schladminger Tauern and, at 2,863 meters, is the highest peak in the Niedere Tauern. The impressive, semi-circular cirque below the summit, the so-called Gollingwinkel , is often referred to as the "highest amphitheater." This scenic feature is surrounded by steep rock faces and offers a breathtaking backdrop. You can often come across wild horses there!
Schladminger Tauern Höhenweg map
A map of the Schladminger Tauern High Trail is an indispensable tool for better planning the route and its stages. It shows the most important landmarks such as huts, peaks and lakes and helps you to keep track and navigate safely through the varied alpine terrain.
I would recommend: Alpenvereinaktiv, Outdooractive, Bergfex or Komoot
Long-distance hiking trails Europe: 90 routes, all countries
safety instructions
Schladming Höhenweg packing list
Here I recommend the most important hiking equipment that I own, have tested myself and have also bought myself. I pay a lot of attention to the weight and quality of my equipment. The equipment should simply feel good on longer tours and also be light. I can recommend the equipment for women because my wife uses it and it is basically the same as the equipment for men.
Note: Please keep in mind that the packing list is general and you will have to adapt it depending on the season and your needs!
Advertising note: These product links are affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, I will receive a small commission without you having to pay more. This is for the maintenance of my blog and you support me with my project, for which I am very grateful. Thank you very much!
Clothes
Hiking boots
Hiking shorts
Long hiking pants
Functional shirt
Hybridjacket
Fleece-jacket
Rain jacket
Functional underwear
Hiking socks
Other hiking equipment:
• Sun cap
Hiking backback (approx. 60 litres or as required)
by EXPED - unfortunately not available on Amazon.
• Backback - Ospray (was my old one and is also good)
Technology and orientation:
• Compass
• Headlamp
• GPS device or GPS watch if necessary
• Binoculars if necessary
Catering:
• Sweets to keep up morale :)
Health & first Aid:
• First Aid (small and light)
• Tape
• Bivouac
• Toilet paper
Other:
• Passport/Insurance certificate
• cash
• Gas cartridge
Film equipment:
• Camera
• Drone
• Tripod
• Clip
Schladminger Tauern Höhenweg GPX
The GPX files are available for download from the following providers.
Outdooractive: https://out.ac/3wLxtv
Komoot:
Bergfex:
Conclusion on the Schladminger Tauern Höhenweg
The Schladminger Tauern Höhenweg, with a length of almost 88 km, is a fantastic long-distance hiking trail that offers an incredible amount. It shows a cross-section of the beautiful Lower Tauern. I really enjoyed the tour! I wish you a great time and lots of success ;)
As always, I would be very happy to receive feedback via one of my channels.
You are also welcome to leave me a comment here.
A warm hello, I am Christian, chief globetrotter of this site and enthusiastic adventurer, hiker and filmmaker. I love to explore new paths and inspire people with them and I like to share my acquired hiking knowledge with you! You can also find my videos on YouTube! On my blog you will find tips for beginners and professionals on the biggest and most beautiful hiking tours there are. I want to encourage people to explore the world as hikers, whether in the country, through the forest or in the mountains. True to the motto: If you don't hike, you haven't seen the world yet.
On my blog I also write about hiking gear, proper summit training and nature conservation as well as tips and information on hiking.
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