Höchstein (2.543 m)

The cable car to the Hauser Kaibling allows us to cut the elevation change in half, as we make our way up to this truly rewarding mountain destination.  If we want to start out easy, we will select the gentle forest path down to the Kaibling Alm.  If, on the other hand, we are anxious to enjoy beautiful views from the very outset, we will hike across Hauser Kaibling summit to the Alm.  Our hike now continues uphill along path No. 780 to the Seescharte (beautiful view of the Moaralmsee below), amid rounded hilltops and fields of enormous boulders to the Kaiblinglochscharte.

The subsequent cirque is a little wilder in character, while the hike up across scree and debris to the next gap is steep, though secured by cable in parts.  Afterwards, we cross the southern slopes to the Kaltenbachschulter, climbing via a natural rocky stairway to the western ridge leading to the summit.  The open setting above Ennstal Valley and the highest peaks of the entire Schladminger Tauern guarantee some truly magnificent views.  The main trail takes us back the way we came, all the way to the cable car.

Variant: Hike down via the eastern shoulder to the Filzscharte, caution is essential!  The trail is secured in parts, but loose rock and down-sloping sheets of rock demand our full attention.  Once at the Filzscharte, there is a trail fork: one trail leads to the Hans Wödl Hütte, whereas our path, No. 781, branches off to the left, taking us on a steep hike down to the idyllic Moaralm See.  From there (on path No. 45), things are a lot more relaxed, as we make our way along the slopes below the Bärfallspitze as far as the Rossfeldsattel, and via the Kaibling Alm along a leisurely forest path back to the mountain terminal.

Ennstalbundesstraße (B320) - Haus im Ennstal:

• valley station Schladminger Tauern cable car (above the catholic church in Haus im Ennstal)
• valley station Hauser Kaibling cable car (directly next to the main road)