Mountain hiking at Saalfelden
The fastest route to this destination
Mountain hiking at Saalfelden
UP TO THE PETER WIECHENTHALER HUT IN THE STONE SEA
The Peter Wiechenthaler hut looks like a sturdy castle in the cloud surf on some days. Then the cloud cover breaks, and the distant view is simply breathtaking. The view over the mountain peaks high above Saalfelden-Leogang has delighted countless visitors in the almost hundred years the Alpine Club hut has existed. Lace up your hiking boots and follow the trail over rocks and roots. You should bring stamina and surefootedness. From the Bachwinkel Saalfelden parking lot to the hut at an airy 1,704 meters altitude, you must conquer a challenging 969 meters of elevation gain. Saalfelden-Leogang is one of Austria’s most popular hiking areas. More than 400 kilometers of hiking trails enthuse nature lovers and summit seekers alike. In the Peter Wiechenthaler hut, which is continuously managed from the end of May to early October at the latest, everyone meets for a cool refreshment and a hearty snack platter. Those wishing for mountain romance can book a bed or a mat sleeping place for the night. Those seeking an even sportier challenge can catch their breath here and then head for the nearby summits, such as Schindlkopf, Persailhorn, or Breithorn, to climb them.
difficult
5h 30min
10.11 km
Round trip
Saalfelden am Steinernen Meer
Seasons
Directions
The starting point is the Saalfelden-Hubertus bus stop (line 61) in the Bachwinkl district of Saalfelden. Along the access road, the last parking lot can be reached within a few minutes. A relatively comfortable ascent follows the marked path 412 first through the light pine-mixed forest and then along the ridge through the mountain pine belt in two and a half hours to the Peter Wiechenthaler hut (1704 m). Slightly more demanding, shadier, and therefore often also wet and slippery is the signed hunter's trail (path 412 d), which branches off to the left in the last third of the trail and runs on the north side of the Kienalkopf (1448 m) to the Wiechenthaler hut. The easiest return route from the hut leads back along the ascent 412 to the starting point. A much more demanding and nearly twice as long but also extremely impressive variant leads from the Wiechenthaler hut to the right towards the Steinalm. This route 412 c crosses several deep-cut, often gravel-filled ravines and requires special attention as well as alpine skills. After the serviced Steinalm (1269 m), the path temporarily becomes easier before the short fox trail secured with ropes branches off to the right to the hermitage. From there, it goes back via the "Path of Silence" to the Bachwinkl district.
Information & contact
Saalfelden Leogang Touristik GmbH
Mittergasse 21a
5760 Saalfelden
Tel.: +43 (0)6582 70660
By public transport
To Saalfelden by regional trains or regional bus 260. From the town center, take regional bus 61 or the Loigom-Soifen shuttle to the Saalfelden Hubertus stop, where the route begins.
Timetable information and download: Available online at www.salzburg-verkehr.at or on your smartphone via the free Salzburg Transport app for Android and iOS.
Route profile
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