Tauernhöhenweg

The Tauernhöhenweg is a long-distance hiking trail in the High and Lower Tauern. It begins in the east at Seckau and ends in the west at Krimml. The Tauernhöhenweg is part of the Central Alpine Trail 02. Here we describe the central section of the Hohe Tauern from east to west. This is a high alpine multi-day tour (partly with glacier passages, with secured sections and short climbing sections), a 'hut to hut' trekking, in 13 stages, without having to descend into the valley.
In the east, the Tauernhöhenweg begins at Tappenkarseehütte (hosted hut) and enters the Hohe Tauern region at Murtörl, a small saddle with many crosses in the middle of the 'Pampa'. From there it heads east near the main Tauern ridge, mostly south of it. In addition to crossing  Weinschnabel [2754 m],  Hoher Sonnblick/Zittelhaus [3106 m],  Hocharn [3254 m] and  Spielmann [3026 m]. This tour can also be combined with ascents of other prominent peaks, such as  Ankogel [3252 m],  Gamskarlspitze [2833 m] and  Vorderer Geißlkopf [2893 m].
From the Hohen Sonnblick there are two variants of the Tauernhöhenweg that lead further east, a normal and a high alpine and more challenging variant:

• The normal variant (02B) leads from Zittelhaus (hosted hut) over the Kleinfleißkess down to Alter Pocher (mountain inn) and further to Heiligenblut. From there in the Schobergruppe to Kals am Großglockner and further to Matreier Tauernhaus (mountain inn) in the Granatspitzgruppe.
• The high alpine variant (02) leads from the Zittelhaus (hosted hut) over the  Hocharn [3254 m] and the Otto-Umlauft-Biwak (bivouac), further along the main ridge of the Tauern to the Hochtor on the Großglockner high alpine road and then over the  Spielmann [3026 m] to the Glocknerhaus (hosted hut) (Klagenfurt Jubilee Trail). The route continues over the Franz-Josephs Höhe to the Oberwalderhütte (hosted hut). From there, the next stage leads over the Upper Pasterzenboden to the Upper Ödenwinkelscharte [3,228 m]. The descent through the Ödenwinkel leads to the Berghotel Rudolfshütte (mountain inn). The following stage goes over the Sonnblickkees and the Granatscharte [2,950 m] to the Karl-Fürst Hütte (self catering hut). The last stage then leads via the Grünseehütte, where a descent to the Matreier Tauernhaus (mountain inn) is possible, to the St. Pöltener Hütte.

Different approaches and descents are possible. Both variants can be continued to Krimml.
The Tauernhöhenweg leads through high alpine terrain with glacier passages, shorter climbing sections, secured sections, exposed terrain and even in midsummer you have to expect old snow fields and snow-covered gullies. Its ascent requires not only surefootedness but also good alpine experience, very good physical condition and appropriate equipment.
From the route of the different variants and the connections between these variants, it is evident that the Tauernhöhenweg is rather a network of trails from which you can put together your individual tour.

Tauernhöhenweg - high alpine variant	show tour	map
start place: Tappenkarseehütte   final place: Karl-Fürst Hütte via: Murtörl, Weinschnabel, Niedere Scharte, Hoher Sonnblick/Zittelhaus, Hocharn, Spielmann huts/bivouac/mountain inns/camping sites: Tappenkarseehütte, Albert Biwak, Osnabrücker Hütte, Hannoverhaus, Mindener Hütte, Hagener Hütte, Dr.-Rudolf-Weißgerber-Biwak, Duisburger Hütte, Rojacher Hütte, Zittelhaus, Otto-Umlauft-Biwak, Wallackhaus, Glocknerhaus, Oberwalderhütte, Berghotel Rudolfshütte, Karl-Fürst Hütte village(s): Malta, Muhr, Kleinarl, Mallnitz, Heiligenblut Multi-day tour -- time duration: 67 h 39 min  trail properties: 115.09 km  ↑+9803 m  ↓-8994 m

Tauernhöhenweg - normal variant	show tour	map
start place: Tappenkarseehütte   final place: Kals am Großglockner via: Murtörl, Weinschnabel, Niedere Scharte, Hoher Sonnblick/Zittelhaus, Goldgräberdorf/Alter Pocher huts/bivouac/mountain inns/camping sites: Tappenkarseehütte, Albert Biwak, Osnabrücker Hütte, Hannoverhaus, Mindener Hütte, Hagener Hütte, Dr.-Rudolf-Weißgerber-Biwak, Duisburger Hütte, Rojacher Hütte, Zittelhaus, Alter Pocher, Salmhütte, Lucknerhaus village(s): Malta, Muhr, Kleinarl, Mallnitz, Heiligenblut, Kals am Großglockner Multi-day tour -- time duration: 57 h 14 min  trail properties: 102.95 km  ↑+7669 m  ↓-8163 m

The following access routes are conceivable in the east:

• From Jägersee to the Tappenkarseehütte [trail: 8.99 km  ↑+760 m  ↓-44 m]
  Path categories:
  Overnight accommodation: Tappenkarseehütte (hosted hut)
  
  A public road leads to the Jägersee. Jägersee is also served by the Postbus 530. From the parking place or the Postbus stop on the eastern side of the lake, walk along a passable forest path to the Schwabalm parking place. This is a toll road for cars, open from June 1 to October 10 (toll: € 4.80 per car). Here begins the actual ascent to the Tappenkarsee. Initially through sparse forests, later in moderately steep serpentines, the path climbs to Tappenkarsee. From there it continues along the lake. At the end of the Tappenkarsee is the Tappenkarseealm and a bit further the Tappenkarseehütte.
• from Obertauern via the Südwiener Hütte and the Franz-Fischer Hütte to the Tappenkarseehütte (multi-day tour)

The actual stages of the Tauernhöhenweg in the Hohe Tauern:

• Stage 1: Tappenkarseehütte - Murtörl - Albert Biwak [trail: 11.12 km  ↑+1085 m  ↓-477 m]
  Path categories:
  Terrain: secured passage(s)
  Overnight accommodation: Albert Biwak (bivouac)
  
  From the Tappenkarsee hut, parallel to the Kleinarler Ache, the route goes up through the Tappenkar and then on to the Haselstein (2160 m). The Haselstein is the transition into the Riedingtal. From there, above the head of the Riedingtal valley, the trail leads along the eastern flank of the Glingspitze to the Wasserfallscharte, from where you have views far to the west. Between Haselstein and Wasserfallscharte there are two secured passages. After the Wasserfallscharte, the path leads steeply up a canyon to the Nebelkarscharte (2453 m), the highest point of this stage. A short side trip leads to the Nebelkareck (2535 m) with an impressive panoramic view. From the Nebelkarscharte we now descend over alpine pastures to the Murtörl (2260 m). A saddle, with many crosses, between the Grossarl Valley and the Mur Valley. Here the Tauernhöhenweg enters the Hohe Tauern. Continue south past the Mureck (2402 m) and above the head of the Mur valley to the Albert bivouac.
  
  alternative approaches to the Albert Bivouac:
  • Sticklerhütte ► Albert Biwak [trail: 5.75 km  ↑+717 m  ↓-42 m]
  • Hüttschlag/Stockham - Murtörl - Albert Biwak [trail: 8.92 km  ↑+1504 m  ↓-121 m]
• Stage 2: From Albert Bivouac via Weinschnabel to Osnabrücker Hut [trail: 12.28 km  ↑+786 m  ↓-1182 m]
  Path categories:
  Terrain: secured passage(s)
  Overnight accommodation: Osnabrücker Hütte (hosted hut)
  
  From the Schmalzscharte, which is not far, north of the Albert bivouac, it goes down to the lower and upper Schwarzsee. Then follows the unproblematic ascent via the Muritzscharte over boulders and coarse rock up to the Weinschnabel (2754m), a beautiful panoramic mountain in the Hohe and Niedere Tauern. The descent leads in a southwesterly direction, first to the Marchkarscharte, where you have a beautiful view into the Schöder and Großartal valleys. It then continues steeply downhill to Arlboden at the Kölnbreinspeicher, where there is a memorial to the deceased workers during the construction of the Kölnbreinspeicher. From there, without much effort and with little ascent, take the road in a southwesterly direction along the northern shore of the reservoir to the Osnabrücker Hütte.
  Longer mountain tour that requires good physical condition, alpine experience and surefootedness. Between the Schwarzseen there is an insured climbing spot and on the descent from the Weinschnabel you often have to cross old snow fields.
  
  Here an alternative approach to the Osnabrücker hut is possible:
  Kölnbreinspeicher Staumauer ► Osnabrücker Hütte [trail: 8.23 km  ↑+464 m  ↓-363 m]

From the Osnabrücker hut 3 variants are conceivable:

• the 'normal' variant:
  • Stage 3: Osnabrücker Hütte ► Hannoverhaus (Tauernhöhenweg) [trail: 8.17 km  ↑+1075 m  ↓-542 m]
    Path categories:
    Terrain: secured passage(s), gravel and boulders, boulder terrain, ski slope
    Overnight accommodation: Hannoverhaus (hosted hut)
    
    From the Osnabrück hut, the trail first goes in open terrain, moderately ascending towards the waterfall of the Fallbach. After the terrain step, you will reach the Fallboden, a small basin crossed by the Fallbach creek, with numerous small meadow areas and raised bogs. Then it goes up another terrain step to the basin of the Pleßnitzsee. After another climb over scree, you reach the Großelendscharte (2674 m). The Großelendscharte is the transition between the Maltatal and the Seebachtal near Mallnitz. Continue on the Tauernhöhenweg in a westerly direction to the Hannoverhaus.
  • Stage 4: Hannoverhaus ► Hagener Hütte [trail: 14.29 km  ↑+711 m  ↓-830 m]
    Path categories:
    Terrain: gravel and boulders, rocky terrain, boulder terrain, exposed passage(s)
    Overnight accommodation: Mindener Hütte (self catering hut), Hagener Hütte (hosted hut, provisions purchase possible)
    
    The trail first runs along the Göttinger Weg and after the Mindener Hütte (self-catering hut) along the Hagener Weg (sections of the Tauernhöhenweg) towards the west. Up to the junction: Korntauern the path is unproblematic. In the next section to the Mindener Hütte, a rockfall-prone section and a short secured passage (easy) must be passed. After the Mindener Hütte, due to a short, critical passage of a steep snowfield (often into the summer), the trail section is classified as a black trail. After this passage, the rest of the trail to the Hagener Hütte is unproblematic.
    Alpine experience and surefootedness are required.
  • Stage 5: Hagener Hütte ► Duisburger Hütte [trail: 9.35 km  ↑+590 m  ↓-464 m]
    Path categories:
    Overnight accommodation: Dr.-Rudolf-Weißgerber-Biwak (bivouac), Duisburger Hütte (hosted hut)
    
    From the Hagener Hütte, first follow the Tauernhöhenweg to the southwest. After just under half of the route, the path climbs more steeply to the Feldseescharte and the nearby Weißgerber bivouac (emergency accommodation only). To the south in this section you have beautiful views into the Tauern valley down to Mallnitz or to the east to the Ankogel and the Hochalmspitze. After the Weißgerber bivouac, the trail descends steeply for a short distance and the view opens up to the west (all the way to the Sonnblick) and down into the Fraganter valley with its reservoirs. Then continue northwest, mostly over boulder terrain, until you finally reach the Duisburger Hütte.
• for summit strikers:
  • Stage 3: Osnabrücker Hütte - Ankogel traverse - Hannoverhaus [trail: 11.15 km  ↑+1427 m  ↓-894 m]
    Path categories:
    Terrain: secured passage(s), gravel and boulders, boulder terrain, Rock, moraines, Glacier, climbing sections, exposed ridge, ski slope
    Overnight accommodation: Hannoverhaus (hosted hut)
    
    From the Osnabrücker Hütte, first follow the Tauernhöhenweg in direction to Hannoverhaus until you reach the Fallboden. At the junction: Fallboden now take path 538 in a northeasterly direction to Zwischenelendscharte. Passing the Schwarzhorn lakes you reach the Zwischenelendscharte (2676 m). The crossing of the Kleinelendkees is rather unproblematic, since the ascent is not particularly steep and the glacier is relatively poor in crevasses. Even if the Kleinelendkees is rather unproblematic, glacier equipment and to go in rope team is announced. From the upper edge of the Kleinelendkees begins the east ridge of the Ankogel. The difficulty of this ridge results more from its exposure and less from the demands of the climbing sections. Therefore, surefootedness and a head for heights are absolutely necessary here! The first section of the descent from the  Ankogel [3252 m] over the southwest ridge requires an increased level of surefootedness and mountain experience as well as a head for heights. From the small Ankogel, the descent first leads over slabs and scree along the ridge that extends from the Radeckscharte. Then you pass the Lassacher Kees and its old lateral moraine downhill. Finally, you meet up again with the Tauernhöhenweg between Osnabrücker Hütte and Hannoverhaus. From here follow the Tauernhöhenweg to the west. Soon you reach the mountain station of the Ankogelbahn and a little below is the Hannoverhaus.
  • Stage 4: Hannoverhaus ► Mindener Hütte [trail: 6.96 km  ↑+384 m  ↓-516 m]
    Path categories:
    Terrain: gravel and boulders, rocky terrain, boulder terrain, exposed passage(s)
    Overnight accommodation: Mindener Hütte (self catering hut)
    
    From the Hannoverhaus, which is located below the mountain station of the Ankogelbahn, the Göttinger Weg (Tauernhöhenweg) leads westward below the main ridge of the Tauern. Between the junction: Kulturwanderweg and the junction: Korntauern, the trail follows a still clearly recognizable old Roman road that leads from Mallnitz over the Korntauern into the Gastein valley. In this section of the trail, you also pass the small Tauernsee, a small mountain lake that is located directly below the Tauern ridge. From the junction: Korntauern the path becomes more demanding. You have to pass some rockfall-prone sections, a short secured passage and, until early summer, an old snow field. Surefootedness and adapted equipment are therefore required. The last section to the Mindener Hütte is then again unproblematic.
    Here a side trip to the  Gamskarlspitze [2833 m] is possible:
    Von der Minderner Hütte auf die Gamskarlspitze [trail: 2.77 km  ↑+471 m  ↓-71 m]
  • STAGE 5: From Mindener Hütte via Hagener Hütte and Vorderer Geißlkopf to Duisburger Hütte [trail: 16.92 km  ↑+1131 m  ↓-992 m]
    Path categories:
    Overnight accommodation: Hagener Hütte (hosted hut, provisions purchase possible), Dr.-Rudolf-Weißgerber-Biwak (bivouac), Duisburger Hütte (hosted hut)
    
    From the Mindener Hütte, follow the Tauernhöhenweg west to the Hagener Hütte. From there, the ascent to Vorderer Geißlkopf leads southwest. From  Vorderer Geißlkopf [2893 m] descend into the saddle towards Hinterer Geißlkopf and then on to Feldseescharte. The last section of the tour follows the Tauernhöhenweg again to the Duisburger Hütte.
• for valley lovers, who also want to treat themselves to a day's rest:
  • Stage 3: Osnabrücker Hütte - Schwussner Hütte - Stappitzersee - Mallnitz [trail: 17.39 km  ↑+965 m  ↓-1810 m]
    Path categories:
    Terrain: secured passage(s)
    
    Starting from the Osnabrücker Hütte, the trail first goes in open terrain, moderately ascending towards the waterfall of the Fallbach. After the terrain step you come to the Fallboden, a small basin, which the Fallbach runs through, with numerous small meadow areas and high moors. At the western end of the Fallboden, the trail then climbs more steeply, increasingly in scree, to a step. Here you reach another basin, in which the Pleßnitzsee is located. Above it towers the Ankogel. From here it is again steeper through scree up to the Großelendscharte (2674 m), the transition from the Malta Valley to the Seebach Valley. Shortly after the Großendscharte you leave the Tauernhöhenweg and descend via trail no. 528 into the Seebachtal. There you will come to the Schwussner Hütte, where you can take a break. Continue out of the valley, passing the Stappitzer See to the valley station of the Ankogelbahn and on to Mallnitz.
  • Stay at Mallnitz
  • Etappe 5: Mallnitz - Jamnigalm - Feldseescharte - Duisburger Hütte [trail: 16.77 km  ↑+1811 m  ↓-426 m]
    Path categories:
    Overnight accommodation: Dr.-Rudolf-Weißgerber-Biwak (bivouac), Duisburger Hütte (hosted hut)
    
    Starting from Mallnitz, you simply hike through the Tauerntal valley to the northwest. At the Jamnnigalm, which is enthroned on a terrain step above the Tauerntal, you can take a rest. From there, cross the alpine pastures at the end of the valley and then climb steeply through a gully to the Feldseescharte. Not far from the Feldseescharte (2714 m) is the Dr. Weißergber bivouac (emergency bivouac), a scenic resting place for this stage.
    From the Feldseescharte, the trail heads northwest. First a steep descent over splintery, loose scree to a small, nameless mountain lake. As you continue, you enter a large snowfield that is still present in late summer. Then continue over coarse boulders, some deep meltwater gullies and snowfields that persist into the summer, towards the Duisburger Hütte.

From the Duisburg hut, a descent to Innerfragant/Flattach is possible.
Duisburger Hütte - Mölltaler Gletscherbahn Mittelstation [trail: 1.62 km  ↑+3 m  ↓-338 m]
and then with the Mölltaler Gletscherbahn to Innerfragant.

Further on:

• Stage 6: Duisburger Hütte ► Zittelhaus/Sonnblick [trail: 9.42 km  ↑+1283 m  ↓-749 m]
  Path categories:
  Terrain: rocky terrain, creek crossing, ski slope, gravel and boulders, moraines, boulder terrain, snowfields/glacier remnants, Rock, climbing sections, exposed ridge
  Overnight accommodation: Zittelhaus (hosted hut)
  
  Descend from the Duisburger Hütte to the Hochwurtenspeicher. Then follow the shore to the north. At the end of the lake follows the ascent to the Fraganter Scharte. Unfortunately, the landscape here is strongly marked by winter tourism. At the Fraganter Scharte the view opens down into the Rauriser Tal, to the east to the Schareck and to the west to the Hoher Sonnblick. Continue in a southwesterly direction, following the ridge over the Goldbergtauernkopf (2776 m) to the Niedere Scharte. Shortly after Scharte, the trail leads down to the two glacial lakes at the head of the Hüttwinkelvalley. At the southern lake, the impressive glacier gate of the Goldbergkees is located. After crossing the drainage, the trail goes uphill again, to the path that leads up from Kolm-Saigurn. Soon you will reach the Rojacher hut. Now the demanding part of the stage begins. Partly exposed, over the block ridge mitigated by cramps, up towards the summit of the Hohe Sonnblick. Initially T4 terrain, but then narrow, highly exposed T5/I ridge. Eventually you reach the summit with the Zittelhaus and Austria's highest meteorological observatory. The Hohe Sonnblick is a bulky massif, with a characteristic rock pyramid on the summit peak, and a mighty north face above Kolm-Saigurn.
  
  from the Rojacher Hütte a descent to Kolm Saigurn is possible: Rojacher Hütte - Kolm Saigurn [trail: 5.8 km  ↑+42 m  ↓-1162 m]

From Zittelhaus two variants are possible:

• die high alpine variant:
  • Stage 7: Zittelhaus/Hoher Sonnblick - Hocharn - Otto Umlauft Biwak [trail: 6.21 km  ↑+699 m  ↓-818 m]
    Path categories:
    Terrain: Glacier, secured passage(s), climbing sections
    Overnight accommodation: Otto-Umlauft-Biwak (bivouac)
    At the Otto-Umlauft bivouac, an emergency descent into the Großes Fleißtal is possible.
    Abstieg vom Otto-Umlauft-Biwak zur Fleißkuchl [trail: 6.82 km  ↑+12 m  ↓-1182 m]
  • Stage 8: Otto-Umlauft-Biwak - Hochtor - Wallackhaus [trail: 9.02 km  ↑+478 m  ↓-1161 m]
    Path categories:
    Terrain: gravel and boulders, Rock, exposed passage(s), climbing sections, secured passage(s), rocky terrain, alpine grasslands
    Overnight accommodation: Wallackhaus (mountain inn)
  • Stage 9: Wallackhaus - Hochtor - Spielmann - Glocknerhaus [trail: 11.74 km  ↑+1047 m  ↓-1219 m]
    Path categories:
    Terrain: alpine grasslands, rocky terrain, gravel and boulders, boulder terrain, Rock, exposed passage(s), secured passage(s), Glacier, climbing sections
    Overnight accommodation: Glocknerhaus (hosted hut)
    alternative overnight accommodation: Karl Volkert Haus (mountain inn)
  • Stage 10: Glocknerhaus - Franz-Josephs Höhe - Oberwalderhütte [trail: 7.8 km  ↑+921 m  ↓-80 m]
    Path categories:
    Terrain: alpine grasslands, craggy terrain, gravel and boulders, rocky slopes, snowfields/glacier remnants, Glacier, exposed passage(s), secured passage(s)
    Overnight accommodation: Oberwalderhütte (hosted hut)
    
    From the Glocknerhaus, the trail goes slightly downhill to the Pasterzenhaus. After crossing the outflow of the Nassfeld reservoir, the trail leads steeply uphill over loose, sparsely overgrown terrain to the parking lot: Hoher Sattel and then on to Franz-Josefs Höhe.
    Now you leave the tourist-turbulent Franz-Josefs Höhe. First the Gamsgrubenweg leads through 6 tunnels, which on the one hand offer protection from falling rocks, and on the other hand house exhibitions on the legends surrounding the Großglockner. Of course, one should not expect mountain solitude here, but there are impressive panoramic views - among others, of the Großglockner and the Pasterze. The Gamsgrube is a special protection area, habitat for some of the rarest plants in all of Europe. Finally, you reach the Wasserfallwinkel roundel, the actual end point of the Gamsgruben trail. From here on, the terrain becomes much more alpine. Trail 702 leads along the lateral moraine left by the Bockkarkees during its retreat in the 19th century and then through the sander at the foot of a rock step. From here on, one hikes over glacier polished slabs, as well as partly over snow and glacier remnants. Then you cross the glacier for a short distance before the rope-secured ascent to the Hoher Burgstall, where the Oberwalderhütte is located.
  • Stage 11: Oberwalderhütte ► Berghotel Rudolfshütte [trail: 10.93 km  ↑+505 m  ↓-1163 m]
    Path categories:
    Terrain: Glacier, gravel and boulders, boulder terrain, snowfields/glacier remnants, Rock
    Overnight accommodation: Berghotel Rudolfshütte (mountain inn)
    
    From the Oberwalderhütte, the glacier passage leads over the Upper Pasterzenboden to the Upper Ödenwinkelscharte (3228 m). In the Rifflwinkel crevasses are possible, so rope and crampons are required here. Arrived at the wind gap, you get a first impression for the descent down to the Ödenwinkel and to the Weißsee with the Rudolfshütte. Steep and arduous over scree and scree slopes and partly exposed, over rocks, slabs, scree and glacial debris goes down to the Gamskopf and then further over the stony-apere Ödenwinkelkees. Below the Medelzkopf somewhat easier until you reach the Weißsee. Then it is not far to the mountain hotel Rudolfshütte, which stands on a small hill.
    
    Here the descent with the Weißseeseilbahn to Enzingerboden is possible.
    
       Berghotel Rudolfshütte - Enzingerboden Weißseeseilbahn Talstation
    
    Continue with bus line 672 (further travel information: Öffis Hohe Tauern)
  • Stage 12: From mountain inn Rudolfshütte to Karl-Fürst Hütte [trail: 5.96 km  ↑+756 m  ↓-442 m]
    Path categories:
    Terrain: gravel and boulders, boulder terrain, rocky terrain, Rock, secured passage(s), Glacier, rocky slopes, snowfields/glacier remnants
    Overnight accommodation: Karl-Fürst Hütte (self catering hut)
    
    From the Rudolfshütte mountain hotel [2,315 m], the tour first goes along the Weißsee lake to its southern shore. The tour then becomes more challenging up to the Sonnblickkees. A steep rock step, which is overcome by a scree gully, is secured. From there it is a little flatter again to the glacier. Passing the Granatspitze, you then reach the Granatscharte [2,950 m]. From there, the St. Pöltener Ostweg leads over the Prägratkees and then over a terrace between the southern flank of the Rabenstein and the Prägratwand to the Karl-Fürst Hütte [2,629 m].
    The tour can be combined with the ascent of the Stubacher Sonnblick [3,086 m] or the Granatspitze [3,086 m].
    
    From the Karl-Fürst hut, a descent into the East Tyrolean Tauern Valley is possible.
    Continue with bus 955 to Matrei i. Osttirol
       Landecktal/Taxeralm - Matrei: Korberplatz
  • Stage 13: Karl-Fürst hut – Grünsee hut – St. Pöltener hut
    From the St. Pölten hut it is possible to descend to Hintersee in the Felbertal (to the north) or to the Matreier Tauernhaus (to the south).
• and a normal variant:
  • Stage 7: Descent from Zittelhaus via the Alter Pocher to Heiligenblut [trail: 13.66 km  ↑+404 m  ↓-2214 m]
    Path categories:
    Terrain: Glacier
    Overnight accommodation: Alter Pocher (mountain inn)
    
    From Hoher Sonnblick/Zittelhaus, the descent leads in a southwesterly direction over the Kleinfleißkees. The glacier is by no means free of crevasses, so you should stay far enough away from the crevasse zone near the Pilatusscharte. After reaching the edge of the glacier, the trail leads through unclear boulder terrain around the Hörndl to the Zirmsee. From there, the trail descends into the Kleinfleißtal valley until you finally reach the Alter Pocher inn (rest and overnight stop). The descent leads partly along the traveling stream, partly through sparse larch and stone pine mountain forest. From the Alter Pocher, where the Goldgräberdorf is also located, now follow the narrow road with little traffic in a southwesterly direction. Shortly after the small Fleißalm the road and follow the path through the sparse mountain forest. Continue descending through the forest until you meet the road again at the Mühlgraben gold panning plant. After crossing the Apriacher Höhenstraße continue to descend to the right of the Große Fleiß until you meet the Alpe Adria Trail. Then follow this to the west until you reach Heiligenblut.
    From the Alten Pocher is also a slightly shorter variant possible Vom Alten Pocher zur Fleißkehre [Strecke: 3.36 km  ↑+90 m  ↓-462 m] and from there by bus to Heiligenblut.

       Fleißkehre - Heiligenblut Seilbahn Talstation
  • Stage 8: Heiligenblut ► Salmhütte [trail: 12.4 km  ↑+1570 m  ↓-222 m]
    Path categories:
    Overnight accommodation: Salmhütte (hosted hut)
    
    The trail leads south of the Möll, past the Kachelsee, to the Trogalm. Then the trail continues moderately uphill in the Leitertal valley, heading west. In the last section then steeper up to the Salmhütte, which is located in the northern flank of the Leitertal below the Schwerteck.
    The alternative is somewhat shorter:
    By hiking cab:

       Heiligenblut Seilbahn Talstation - Parkplatz: Gößnitzfall

    and then:
    Parkplatz: Gößnitzfall ► Salmhütte [Strecke: 9.84 km  ↑+1467 m  ↓-109 m]
  • Stage 9: Salmhütte - Pfortscharte - Ködnitztal - Kals [trail: 13.64 km  ↑+343 m  ↓-1661 m]
    Path categories:
    Overnight accommodation: Lucknerhaus (mountain inn)
    
    From the Salmhütte, the trail leads in a westerly direction to the head of the Leitertal valley. Shortly after crossing the Leiterbach, the trail branches off up to the Pfortscharte. This is the crossing into the Ködnitztal valley. From there then in a large arc down to the Lucknerhütte and further to the Lucknerhaus. From the Lucknerhaus it is then easy on the old Lucknerhaus road down to Kals am Großglockner.
    
    for this stage 2 alternatives are possible:
    • Salmhütte - Pfortscharte - Ködnitztal - Nationalpark Camping Kals [trail: 14.86 km  ↑+456 m  ↓-1624 m]
      Path categories:
      Overnight accommodation: Lucknerhaus (mountain inn), Nationalpark Camping Kals (camping site)
    • Salmhütte - Glorer Hütte - Kals [trail: 13.27 km  ↑+270 m  ↓-1588 m]
      Path categories:
      Overnight accommodation: Glorer Hütte (hosted hut), Lucknerhaus (mountain inn)
  • Stage 10: Kals – Sudetendeutsche Hütte
  • Stage 11: Sudetendeutsche Hütte – Matreier Tauernhaus

Do not consider this tour proposal as a rigid recipe, but rather as a suggestion to compile a tour from the multitude of possibilities, according to your wishes and abilities. To do this, use our interactive tour planner. To find travel options to get from the end point back to the starting point of your tour, or vice versa, our traffic information system Öffis Hohe Tauern is at your disposal.

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Categories of trails:
Road:  Goods road/field or forest road:  hiking trail:
mountain trails: easy:  moderately difficult:  easy or medium, but not maintained:  difficult:
Alpine Route:  glacier passage:  Via ferrata: easy:  ;moderately difficult:  difficult: