Schladminger Tauern High Trail | 5-days-tour
difficult Multi-day tours · Schladming
Numerous high-altitude trails run along the peaks and ridges of the Schladminger Tauern, which together form the Schladminger Tauern HighTrail long-distance hiking trail. This is also partly a section of the Central Alpine Trail 02.
In total, the Schladminger Tauern High Trail runs over 70 km and 7 stages from the Hochwurzen to St. Nikolai im Sölktal. The somewhat shorter 5-day tour of approx. 45 km runs along the high-altitude trails around the Rohrmoos valleys of Obertal and Untertal and spans an arc from Rohrmoos' local mountain Hochwurzen to Seewigtal and Lake Styria (Steirischer Bodensee). In between are 5 stages on historic paths, with numerous summit experiences, breathtaking views, cosy and inviting huts, in one of the most water-rich regions of the Alps.
This multi-day tour is suitable for young people aged 15 and over. For families with younger children (8 to 14 years) we recommend the ‘Obertaler Berggenuss’ package.
Gallery
Stage 1 | 6 to 7 hours Hochwurzen High Trail to the Giglachseen Lakes
The starting point for the 5-day tour is the Hochwurzen summit lift in Rohrmoos. This can be easily reached with the Planai-Hochwurzen cable car hiking bus. When booking the package with accommodation in the valley, the hiking bus and ascent with the gondola lift are included in the Sommercard. The ascent with the Hochwurzen summit lift takes you to the Hochwurzenhütte (when you book the package, you will receive a packed lunch for the first day). Via the ‘Kleine Wurzen’ and the Hüttecksattel you hike up to the Rossfeld. Continue to the Latterfußsattel and from there ascend to the panoramic mountain Guschen (1,982 m). From here, follow hiking trail no. 773 with several uphill and downhill sections, past the Hochfeldmandl (a large stone wall below the Hochfeld summit) and just below the striking Schiedeck summit. You then pass the Klammsee and Brettersee lakes before finally reaching the Giglachseen lakes. You can spend the night at the Giglachseehütte (1,956 m) near the Upper Giglachsee Lake or the Ignaz-Mattis-Hütte (1,986 m) above the Lower Giglachsees Lake.
Stage 2 | 4 hours To the Giglachseen and the Keinprechthütte
At the beginning, you hike to the eastern end of the Giglachsee Lake, where you branch off at the lower end of the cirque - heading south - onto trail no. 702 or 775 towards to Rotmandlspitze and Keinprechthütte, continuing on to the ruins of a historic miner's dwelling - the Schladminger Tauern was characterised by lively mining until the 19th century. Abandoned buildings such as this dwelling or the nickel smelting furnace in nearby Obertal, which has been adapted into a museum, bear witness to this. The trail continues steeply uphill over scree fields and serpentines to the summit of the Rotmandlspitze (2,453 m), where you can enjoy the view of the Giglachkar and Duisitzkar. The numerous lakes in this area feed the Wilder Wasser watercourses in the Rohrmooser Obertal valley. Below the ‘Sauberg’, you cross to the Kruckeckscharte from where the trail leads in many hairpin bends into the large Neualmkar with the Keinprechthütte (1,872 m) as your destination.
Stage 3 | 6 hours Keinprecht-Hütte - Gollinghütte
From the Keinprechthütte, you ascend above the Neualmkar in a wide arc to the Trockenbrotscharte (2,237 m). Especially in early summer, the alpine meadow-covered slopes are an experience. After a short descent to the Landawirseehütte - a short detour to the Landawirsee lakes is worthwhile - you ascend from the Göriachwinkel to the Gollingscharte (2,326 m). Hikers in good physical condition with high alpine experience can attempt the summit ascent to the Hochgolling from the Gollingscharte. The ascent to the summit leads over some very exposed passages without additional rope protection. You should allow 3.5 to 4 hours for the additional 540 metres in altitude (there & back from Gollingscharte). From the Gollingscharte, you then descend to the Gollingwinkel, where you find yourself directly at the foot of the mighty north face of the Golling in a natural amphitheatre. From there it is only a few minutes to the Gollinghütte.
Stage 4 | 6 to 8 hours Gollinghütte - Klafferkessel - Preintalerhütte
From the Gollinghütte, the route climbs quite steeply up several hairpin bends to the Greifenbergsattel. The Hochgolling is reflected in the small lake - the highest in the Schladminger Tauern. Shortly afterwards, you reach the Greifenberg (2,618 m) via a scree slope - the highest point on the entire Schladminger Tauern High Trail and certainly one of the best panoramic mountains in the entire Niedere Tauern. After a rest, the short descent into the high alpine landscape of the Klafferkessel begins. The Klafferkessel lake district is a relic from the last ice age and impresses with its special alpine flora. The Klafferkessel is one of the most water-rich areas in the entire Alps and the centrepiece of the Wild Waters in Rohrmoos Untertal. Passing the striking rock formation of the Greifenstein, you finally hike over the Klafferscharte through the Lämmerkare to the Preintalerhütte and Waldhornalm.
5th stage | 5-6 hours via Höfertsteig and Neualmscharte into the Seewigtal
From the Preintalerhütte, you pass the Hochwildstelle (2,747 m) via the Höfertsteig trail in the direction of the Neualm. At the Höfertsteig crossroads, follow trail no. 782 uphill to the Neualmscharte (2,347 m) before reaching the Neualm. During the ascent, you can enjoy the view of the Riesachsee lake below and the breathtaking view from the saddle down into the Seewigtal valley. After a short rest, you now begin the rather steep descent. First you reach the Obersee, whose shore is perfect for another rest. Around 40 minutes later, you will reach the Hans-Wödl-Hütte hut above the Hüttensee lake, where you will have earned a well-earned rest. Then it's a good hour downhill to the Steirischer Bodensee and the Seewigtal car park, from where the 976 hiking bus will take you back to Schladming. When booking the package, the hiking bus is included with the Sommercard.
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)
With the Planai buses from Schladming (Planet-Planai, Lendplatz) or Rohrmoos (Rohrmoos-Zentrum) to the valley terminal of Gipfelbahn Hochwurzen. Alternatively take the bus to Ursprungalm chalets in Preuneggtal valley.
- Buses of Planai-Hochwurzen-Bahnen: www.planaibus.at
From Planai you can take the cable-car back to the town of Schladming or hike down to the mountain village via WM-Pfad trail (another 2 hours).
Surefootedness, a head for heights and alpine experience required!
Changes in weather patterns, quick falls in temperature, thunderstorms, wind, fog and snow are some of the dangers that can be encountered on a hiking tour. Hosts of alpine huts and mountain refuges have a lot of experience in the mountains and can give good advice about weather and the trails. Poor equipment, overestimation of one's own capabilities, carelessness, poor personal constitution and/or wrong judgement can lead to critical situations. In case of thunderstorms: avoid summits, ridges and steel ropes.
GPS data and orienteering
Available GPS data - just like hiking maps - is only a guidance for orientation and can never depict a trail exactly with all its details. Especially at dangerous spots it is essential to judge on site how to proceed.
In an emergency please call:
- 140 - for Alpine emergencies (all over Austria)
- 112 - European GSM emergency number
A well-packed backpack is helpful and especially when touring Alpine terrain a tuque, gloves, a windproof jacket and pants are standard equipment. Good, waterproof shoes, sun glasses, sun cream and sufficient beverages are essential too. Torch light, a map of the area, knie and a small first-aid kit should also be in the backpack.
Don't forget your sleeping bag for the overnight stay.
Schladminger Tauern High Trail is a multiple day tour requiring experience in alpine terrain (on all stages). Thus, surefootedness, a head for heights and a good level of stamina are a requirement. On average you have to cover 1,000 m in vertical ascents (up and down) each day, requiring several hours of walking time! This multiple-day tour is suitable for hikers aged 15 years and older.
Although there is no need for equipment like crampons, ropes or via ferrata sets, this multiple day tour takes you along alpine trails (having steel ropes for additional security on short sections) in steep and exposed terrain.
The blog post of Moon & Honey Travel gives a great overview and tips about the tour.
Information about bus schedules: www.planaibus.at
Information about cable-car hours: www.planai.at
360° drone images
Get yourself an overview with our 360° drone images:
- Hochwurzen, Rossfeld & Guschen: https://vonoben.schladming-dachstein.at/sommer/index.php?S=305
- Hochfeld and Schiedeck: https://vonoben.schladming-dachstein.at/sommer/index.php?S=306
- View over Giglachkar cirque: https://vonoben.schladming-dachstein.at/sommer/index.php?S=307
- Giglachseen and Kalkspitzen summits: https://vonoben.schladming-dachstein.at/sommer/index.php?S=308
- Lower Giglachsee Lake and Vetternkar cirque: https://vonoben.schladming-dachstein.at/sommer/index.php?S=309
- Via Rotmandlspitze: https://vonoben.schladming-dachstein.at/sommer/index.php?S=310
- View into Neualmkar cirque: https://vonoben.schladming-dachstein.at/sommer/index.php?S=312
- At Trockenbrotscharte ridge: https://vonoben.schladming-dachstein.at/sommer/index.php?S=313
- Landawirseen Lakes: https://vonoben.schladming-dachstein.at/sommer/index.php?S=314
- View over Klafferkessel: https://vonoben.schladming-dachstein.at/sommer/index.php?S=315
- View into Lämmerkare cirques: https://vonoben.schladming-dachstein.at/sommer/index.php?S=316
- Trail to Neualmscharte: https://vonoben.schladming-dachstein.at/sommer/index.php?S=317
- Hiking map ‘Hiking WEST’ available at the information offices in the region.
- Schladming hiking map, 1:25,000, available at the Schladming information office.
- Hiking map Schladming-Dachstein, 1:50,000, available at the information offices in the region.
- Hiking guide Schladming-Dachstein by Herbert Raffalt, available at the information offices in the region.
- Brochure "Schladminger Tauern High Trail": 5 days full of peaks, lakes & mountain experiences, available from the tourist offices.
