Schladminger Tauern High Trail: 7-days-tour

Due to its unique geological features, the wealth of plant and animals species, and the special character of the surrounding mountain world, this particular section of the Central Alpine Trail through the Schladminger-Tauern is one of the most beautiful hiking tours to be found anywhere in the Alps. Dozens of tarns and waterfalls of the Niedere Tauern range, you will find a majority of those in the valleys, basins and coombes of the Schladminger Tauern.

Pristine, untamed streams with thunderous waterfalls and countless small rivulets flowing from springs beneath the Tauern mountains add to the appeal and charm of this region. In addition, some truly rewarding mountain destinations, such as the Hochgolling, the highest mountain in the Niedere Tauern, along with the Höchstein, Hohe Wildstelle, Steirische Kalkspitze and many more, all lie directly along the path.

Particularly unique impressions await you during a tour through the Klafferkessel and on the shores of the "Goldlacken". An arctic-style lakescape, with flora you would normally only find at more northern latitudes, always guaranteed to captivate each and every alpine hiker.

This multiple-day tour is suitable for hikers aged 15 years and older. For younger kids (8 to 14 years) we recommend the easier "4-day-hike Obertal".

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 No. 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 Preberhütte. 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 Keinprecht-Hütte 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 Keinprecht-Hütte, 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 .

5th stage - 7 to 9 hours Preintalerhütte - Putzentalalm

Shortly after the Preintalerhütte, the Sonntagskarbach is crossed. This is followed by a fork in the path from where path no. 702 branches off to the right and winds its way up through the Trattenkar in steep serpentines. Path no. 702 turns right to the Trattenscharte, where the highest point of the tour is reached at 2,408 m. A short descent leads to a small lake labyrinth, not unlike the Klafferkessel. Along the southeast flanks of the Schareck and above the Stummer Almen until we reach Karlkirchen, a small rock dome. Continue to Lassacheralm and from there either along the hiking trail or following the forest road through a high forest until the Breitlahnhütte is reached. Since it is no longer possible to stay overnight on this, follow path # 786 into the valley past the Schwarzensee to the Putzentalalm. There are also alternative routes for the stage from the Preintalerhütte to the Putzentalalm: via path 784 and the Rettingscharte to Schwarzsee and to the Putzentalalm, or via path 777 and 793 via Waldhorntörl and Kaiserscharte to the Putzentalalm.

6th stage - 6 to 8 hours Putzentalalm - Hubenbauertörl - Rudolf-Schober-Hütte

From the Putzentalalm you follow path # 786 back out of the valley past the Schwarzensee and then turn right in the Grafenalm area, back onto the Schladminger Tauern Höhenweg # 702. This leads over the front and inner Neualm to the Rantentörl (2,166 m) and then to the Hubenbauertörl. If you choose path no.793 after the inner Neualm, you will get directly to the summit of the Predigtstuhl (2,643 m). However, mountain experience, surefootedness and a head for heights are required. After a short descent you will meet again on path no. 702 to the Hubenbauertörl. After several hours of hiking with ups and downs and a beautiful landscape, you will reach the Rudolf-Schober-Hütte (1,667 m). Alternatively, from the Putzentalalm there is also the possibility to take the path # 786 to the Preber Törl.

Stage 7 - 5 to 8 hours Rudolf-Schober-Hütte-Hohensee-St. Nikolai im Sölktal

From the Rudolf-Schober-Hütte, we again follow path No. 702 to the Schimpelscharte. If you are in the mood to conquer yet another summit, you can climb to the top of the Süßleiteck (2,507 m). Once at the same elevation as the Schimpelsee, a not easily distinguishable small trail branches off to the right, taking us steeply uphill to a small alpine gap. On the far side of this gap, we briefly descend a steep mountainside (secured) – the following steep mountainside then leads us in a series of switchbacks up to the summit. Alpine experience and surefootedness are a must. At this point, the hiking path takes us via the Breitenbachsee and Schimpelrücken to the shore of the Hohensee and the Hohenseealm. From the Kreuzsteg on, the path is designed to highlight the region’s abundant waters, following the Bräualmbach to St. Nikolai in Sölktal valley (Gasthof Gamsjäger)

From Schladming into the direction of Rohrmoos, at the roundabout Rohrmoos straight ahead to the Hochwurzen cable car.

We recommand to leave the car in Schladming at the Kraiter car park (100 m above the white church) - take the Planai-Hochwurzen bus from Lendplatz to the Hochwurzen cable car (bus timetable: www.planai.at)