Trekking in the Alps

Route descriptions: For years the majestic limestone Hoher Dachstein was classed as a three-thousander, but according to modern measurement it is actually 5 meters short of the vaunted number. Despite this, the Dachstein remains one of the most impressive limestone massifs of the entire alpine area. In 1834, much before climbing became a popular sport, Peter Gappmaier was the fi rst to ascend the Dachstein. The tour of the Dachstein is extremely varied: dark woods, lush pasture, crystal-clear streams and spectacular groundwater springs. This huge limestone massif, formed over 200 million years ago, still manages to impress due to its bizarre limestone formations and its thriving fl ora. On this tour, you will also learn of its cultural and historical peculiarities. During some archeological digs, for example, a shelter dating back 3,360 years was found. Other interesting elements are graffi ti that you will fi nd all along the track. Although some of them are spoilt, it is estimated that they are two thousand years old. In 1997, the Dachstein, together with the ancient Hallstatt and the town of Inneren Salzkammergut, was declared a UNESCO Natural and Cultural Heritage site. This tour will not only take you over high mountains, but it will also allow you to get to know picturesque, culturally relevant places such as Bad Aussee, Obertraun and Hallstatt.

Skills required: For this tour, careful footwork, endurance and a head for heights are absolutely essential. Traversing karst terrain is sometimes strenuous and even though the paths are well waymarked it is important to have a good sense of orientation during bad or misty weather conditions. The Dachstein tour offers alternative routes; there are not only descents down to the valleys, but also several opportunities to climb on different peaks.

Gosau – Vord. Gosausee – Gablonzer Hütte – Stuhlalm – Theodor- Körner-Hütte – Hofpürglhütte

Travel time: 5-6,5 h (if you leave Gosau on foot add 2 more hours)

From Gosau (767m) there are regular bus connections to lake Vorderer Gosausee. You can also leave from Gosau on foot, extending the fi rst trekking day by two hours. From the lake’s northern bank follow trail 620 running at the foot of the steep northeastern walls of Grosser Donnerkogl (2054 m). In the central part, the ground is very steep and there are many twists and turns to overcome. You can ascend to the Gablonzer hut easily by cableway. After a short break at the hut, walk up to Törleggsattel (1,599 m). The subsequent descent needs a lot of concentration because the ground is steep and uneven. In about two hours you reach the Theodor-Körner-Hütte (1454 m), which is about 10- 15 minutes from Stuhlalm (1462 m). From here it is only 2-2½ hours before you reach your destination. The path becomes steep and diffi cult again until you reach “s’Jöchl“ (1601 m). Finally, after several ups and down, and with the Große Bischofsmütze (2455 m) looming ahead, you reach the Hofpürglhütte (1703 m).

Accommodation:
Gablonzer Hütte (1522 m): Tel. +43-(0)613-68465, www.gablonzerhuette.at, open from the end of May till the end of October, OeAV.
Theodor-Körner-Hütte (1454 m): Tel. +43-(0)664-9166303, e-mail: [email protected], open from the beginning of June to the end of October, OeAV.
Hofpürglhütte (1703 m): Tel. +43-(0)6453-8304, e-mail: [email protected], www.av-linz.at, open from the beginning of June to the beginning of October (open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday till mid October), OeAV.

Hofpürglhütte – Sulzenschneid – s’Tor – Dachstein Südwand Hütte

Travel time: 4,5-5,5 h (to Dachstein Südwand Hütte), 4,5-5,5 h (to Berghotel Türlwand), 4,5-5,5 h (to Austria Hütte)

Two strenous ascents confront you early in the day, however you will be rewarded with stunning views of the south face of the Dachstein, towering up almost 1,000 metres. Head north below the Teufelszahn and up to flower meadows surrounded by Swiss stone pines. Take path 617 swinging southwards to reach the Sulzenschneid. After losing 80 steep meters, branch east towards Windlegerkar, then take the path guiding you to Rauhkar. Climb steeply up to the Tor (2033 m) , zigzag steeply down to Torboden, and then you climb up again on the slope between Hühnerkogel and Marstein to arrive at Marboden. After ascending almost 100 m you reach the Dachstein Südwand hut (1871 m). If you prefer to shorten the journey for the following day, descend to Berghotel Türlwand (1692 m; Hunerkoglseilbahn lower station) or to the Austria Hütte (1630 m)

Accommodation:
Dachstein Südwand Hütte (1871 m): Tel. +43-(0)3687-81509, open from the end of May to the beginning of November, private.
Berghotel Türlwand (1692 m): Tel. +43-(0)3687-81230, e-mail: [email protected], www.tuerlwand.at, open all year, private.
Austria Hütte (1630 m): Tel. +43-(0)3687-81522, open from mid May to the end of October, OeAV.

Dachstein Südwand Hütte – Berghotel Türlwand – (Austria Hütte) – Edelgrieshöhe – Gruberscharte – Guttenberg Haus

Travel time: 5,5-6 h (from Dachstein Südwand Hütte), 5,5-6 h (from Berghotel Türlwand), 5,5-6 h (from Austria Hütte)

From the back of the Dachstein-Südwand hut follow the path to the Berghotel Türlwand leading to the crossroad. Climb up through Edelgriesgraben to the broad glacial cirque till you reach Edelgrieshöhe (2489 m). From here you will not only enjoy another fine view of the southern face of the Dachstein, but also of the karstic landscapes below in Koppenkar and Landfriedtal. Without much effort take path 618 in the large glacial cirque. If the weather is bad or it is misty, a good sense of orientation at this stage is essential. Cross over the steep Gruberscharte and descend to the Guttenberg-Haus (2146 m).

Accommodation:
Guttenberg-Haus (2146 m): Tel. +43-(0)3687-22753, e-mail: [email protected], www.alpenverein.at/haus-im-ennstal/Huetten, open from the beginning of June to mid October, OeAV.

Guttenberg-Haus – Feisterschart’n – Grafenbergalm – Schildenwangalm – Notgasse – Brandalm – Viehbergalm

Travel time: 6,5-7 h

Soon after Guttenberg-Haus (2146 m), take the path to Feisterscharte (2198 m), where you will immediately notice the bizarre landscape full of humps, grassy hollows and slopes brushed by the wind. After an hour or more, you find yourself facing the deep Hölltalsee. The trail then takes you below the Törlwand heading east, climbs up to Kühbichl and leads you to Grafenbergalm (1784 m). One hour later fork towards “Notgasse”. In 30 minutes you reach the Notgasse, a narrow gully where there is usually snow, even in midsummer. Here you can also find graffiti dating back 2000 years. Walk past the Notgasse and take the logging road to Brandalm (1390 m). Follow the “Bettlersteig“ path and you reach Viehbergalm (1445 m) and the Ritzingerhütte where you can stay overnight.

Accommodation:
Ritzingerhütte (Viehbergalm, 1445 m): Tel. +43-(0)3685-22474, e-mail: [email protected], www.ritzingerhuette.at, open from the beginning of July to mid September, private.

Viehbergalm – Hochmühleck – Goseritzalm – Steinitzenalm – Jausenstation Stieger – (Ödensee) – Bad Aussee

Travel time: 5,5-6 h (by bus from Kainisch to Bad Aussee), 7,5-8 h (on foot till Bad Aussee)

From the small and cozy Ritzingerhütte (1445 m) steadily walk up to Hochmühleck (1731 m), from where you will be able to see the ample highlands of Kemetgebirg and its disorientating karstic landscape. The descent to Goseritzalm is steep and careful footwork is needed. From Goseritzalm climb down following an easy trail to Jausenstation Stieger. Follow the signs directing you to the “Strumern“ – they are groundwater springs that form beautiful streams during snow melt or after long periods of uninterrupted rain. At times of drought, the stream bed is completely dry. These beautiful images accompany you all the way to the romantic Ödensee, where you can freshen up after a long trekking day. Once at the Kohlröserlhütte you can rest and have a nice “Jause” (snack). Finally, walk along the Traun river to Bad Aussee.

Accommodation:
For information: Tourismusverband Ausseerland–Salzkammergut.

Bad Aussee – Koppenbrüllerhöhle – Obertraun – Hallstatt

Travel time: 3,5-4 h

Today’s theme will be the water. Almost the entire track runs along the Koppentraun stream, which is still completely wild and intact. Leaving Bad Aussee town centre, follow the path sloping slightly uphill to the Voglhütte and then down to Hängebrücke. Walking along the old railway you can admire the Koppentraun in all its beauty. If your legs already feel the strain, take the train from the Obertraun station and then the ferry to Hallstatt. On foot, it only takes 30-40 minutes to Obertraun and an additional 30 minutes before you reach the dock in Hallstatt (511 m), a picturesque town where you can stay overnight.

Accommodation:
For information: Geschäftstelle Obertraun and Geschäftsstelle Hallstatt.

Hallstatt – Rudolfsturm – Soleleitungsweg – Bad Goisern

Travel time: 2-2,5- h

If you have enough time today, it is recommended to go sightseeing in Hallstatt. On leaving the town centre, walk up 330 m to reach the Rudolfsturm (855 m) or you can take the cableway. Follow the Soleleitungsweg path, followed by a path crossing woodland and with a magnificent view over lake Bad Goisern. If you want to continue the tour in a more comfortable way, then you can take the ferry from Hallstatt to Bad Goisern (500 m) and enjoy the Dachstein massif while you glide along the water.

Accommodation:
For information: Geschäftsstelle Bad Goisern.

Bad Goisern – Gschwandt – Trockentann Alm – (Hoch Kalmberg) – Goiserer Hütte – Iglmoosalm – Gosau

Travel time: 4,5-5 h

Today’s’ trailhead is Bad Goisern (500 m) from which you progress to Gschwandt. Follow the road all the way to Trockentann Alm (805 m). From here path 801 snakes up steeply to the Goiserer hut, located on a crest with an outstanding view of the Tote Gebirge. To admire the view of the Dachstein one last time, you should climb up the Hoch Kalmberg (1833 m). The ascent and the descent together takes approximately one and a half hours. If you wish to visit the Kalmooskirche cave one day it is not enough to do it all, so you could stay overnight in the Goiserer hut. The following descent takes you through a fascinating landscape full of ancient larch trees, pastures and pines. You walk past a small village with about 15 chalets and soon reach Mount Iglmoosalm. After one hour you are in Gosau town centre again.

Accommodation:
Goiserer Hütte (1592 m): Tel. +43-(0)664-9872241, e-mail: [email protected], www.goisererhuette.at, open from the beginning of May to the end of October, OeAV.

Useful information

To book a tour of the Dachstein
Zentrale Informationsstelle: Urlaubsregion Schladming-Dachstein: Tel. +43-(0)3687-23310 e-mail: [email protected].

Tourist information
Tourismusverband Ausseerland - Salzkammergut: Tel. +43-(0)36225-4040 e-mail: [email protected], www.ausseerland.at
Tourismusverband Inneres Salzkammergut: Tel. +43-(0)6135-8329 e-mail: [email protected], www.inneres-salzkammergut.at
Geschäftsstelle Bad Goisern: Tel. +43-(0)6135-8329 e-mail: [email protected], www.bad-goisern.at
Geschäftsstelle Gosau: Tel. +43-(0)6136-8295 e-mail: [email protected], www.gosau.at
Geschäftsstelle Hallstatt: Tel. +43-(0)6134-8208 e-mail: [email protected], www.hallstatt.at
Geschäftstelle Obertraun: Tel. +43-(0)6131-351 e-mail: [email protected], www.obertraun.at

Alpine Guides
Guides Office (Bourg d’Oisans): Tel. +33-(0)4-76801127 e-mail: [email protected], www.guidesoisans.com
EPF/Alpe Sports Loisirs (Bourg d’Oisans): Tel. +33-(0)6-22662771 e-mail: [email protected]

Public Transport
Salzkammergutbahn: www.salzkammergutbahn.net
ÖBB-Postbus GmbH: Tel. 0810-222333 Tel. +43-(0)1-71101 (from abroad, daily from 07.00 to 20.00 h), www.postbus.at

Maps
Map Alpenvereinskarte, Sheet 14 (Dachsteingebirge): 1:25.000
Map Freytag & Berndt-Wanderkarte, Sheet 281 (Dachstein-Ausseer Land- Filzmoos-Ramsau): 1:50.000
Map Freytag & Berndt-Wanderkarte, Sheet 201 (Schladminger Tauern – Radstadt – Dachstein): 1:50.000

Alpine clubs
Oesterreichischer Alpenverein (OeAV): Tel. +43-(0)512-59547-0, e-mail: [email protected], www.alpenverein.at

Weather
Austria: www.zamg.ac.at
Personal enquiries: Tel. +43-(0)512-291600 (Mon-Sat 13-18 h)

Speleology
Landesverein für Höhlenkunde in Oberösterreich: e-mail: [email protected], www.hoehlenforschung.at
Dachstein & Eishöhlen GesmbH & CoKG: Tel. +43-(0)6131-531-0, e-mail: [email protected], www.dachsteinwelterbe.at

Websites
www.dachsteinrundwanderweg.at
www.goiserer.at
www.schladming-dachstein.at
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