Höchstein (2.543 m)

difficult Hiking · Haus-Aich-Gössenberg

Tour characteristics
Stamina
Technique
Tour-Infos
Distance: 10.94 km
Duration: 06:00 h
Ascent: 905 m
Descent: 905 m
Best time of year
january
february
march
april
may
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july
august
september
october
november
december
The tour
Mountain tour to one of the most striking peaks in the Schladminger Tauern, with some magical variants available for the hike down. The summit circuit from Hauser Kaibling via the Seescharte and Höchstein is one of the most impressive high alpine panoramic trails in the region. The starting point at high altitude means you are spared lengthy ascents. The tour begins above the tree line and offers marvellous views. The Tauern panorama with the Waldhorn, Klafferkessel and Hochgolling is particularly impressive from the summit of the Höchstein.

Caution: The tour is not recommended in wet conditions and absolute caution and surefootedness are required!
Turn-by-turn directions

The Schladminger Tauern cable car or Hauser Kaibling 8-seater gondola lift & the 8-seater chairlift Kaiblinggrat to Hauser Kaibling make it possible to halve the difference in altitude to this rewarding mountain destination. If you want to start quietly, choose the gently sloping forest path to the Kaiblingalm, but if you want to enjoy a beautiful view right at the start of this mountain tour, hike over the Hauser Kaibling summit (2,015 m) to the alpine pasture. The ascent continues on trail no. 780 to the Seescharte (beautiful view down to the Moaralmsee) and through round humps and along huge rock debris to the Kaiblinglochscharte.

The following cirque looks even wilder and the climb up to the next saddle over scree and rubble is steep and partly secured. Then cross to the Kaltenbachschulter on the south side and ascend over rock steps on the west ridge to the summit. The open location above the Enns Valley and the framing by the highest peaks of the Schladminger Tauern provide a magnificent panorama. The normal way back is via the ascent route back to the cable car. Marking: Trail no. 780 Höchstein.

Descent also via trail no. 781 - Moaralmsee. The descent via the east shoulder to the Filzscharte, where caution is advised. There is insurance, but loose rock and slabs layered downwards require full attention. From the Filzscharte, 2 paths fork: one leads to the Hans-Wödl-Hütte, our path no. 781 branches off to the left and leads steeply down to the idyllic Moaralmsee. From there (trail no. 45) it is much more relaxed along the slopes below the Bärfallspitze to the Rossfeldsattel and via the Kaiblingalm on a cosy forest path back to the mountain station.

Getting there

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)
Postbus (L900) - Exit: Haus Ort oder Hauser Kaibling Seilbahn
Parking
Parking area Schladminger Tauern cable car or Hauser Kaibling cable car.
Start
Top station cable car
Destination
Top station cable car
Equipment
  • Good footwear and free from dizziness.
  • Mountain boots, rain protection.
  • Here are all the hiking maps and important brochures to download. 

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Weather forecast

Date
in the morning
-3°C
at noon
3°C
in the evening
0°C
Rather cloudy in the morning, then sunny spells will develop gradually.
in the morning
-1°C
at noon
6°C
in the evening
1°C
Early morning clouds will clear soon. The rest of the day will be dry and bright with plenty of sunshine.
in the morning
-4°C
at noon
7°C
in the evening
0°C
Dry and sunny throughout the day with hardly any clouds.

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