Schönfeldspitze in the stone sea (Saalfelden)
The fastest route to this destination
Schönfeldspitze in the stone sea (Saalfelden)
Saalfelden summit route with Schönfeldspitze, the shapely pyramid in the stone sea
The Schönfeldspitze (2653 m) is only the second-highest peak in the stone sea behind the Selbhorn (2655 m), but due to its pyramid shape is the most striking peak of the mountain group. Perhaps you have already seen the Schönfeldspitze from Salzburg Aigen or during a boat trip on the Königssee. The well-known wooden summit cross in the form of a Pietà was created by an artist from Maria Alm.
This circular route leads over four peaks visible from Saalfelden, which are connected by a ridge: the Sommerstein, the Schönegg, the Wurmkopf, and finally the Schönfeldspitze.
The view extends on one side into the Saalfelden Basin up to the Hohe Tauern and on the other side from the stone sea, a highly karstified high plateau with the Königssee at its feet, across the Berchtesgadener Alps with the Watzmann, the Hoher Göll, and the Hochkalter up to the Untersberg.
The route is suitable only for very experienced, enduring, surefooted, head-for-heights, and climbing-accustomed (unsecured 1+) hikers under stable and dry conditions.
Direct arrival and details at: salzburg-erfahren.at
difficult
9h 30min
21.17 km
Round trip
Maria Alm am Steinernen Meer
Seasons
Directions
From Maria Alm follow the street “Griessbachwinkl” to the hiking parking lots at 1200 m. Or from Krallerwinkl as a starting point below the forest, cross to Griebachwinkelstraße. Follow the gravel road to the material cableway and then ascend on the already challenging and exposed but very well secured path with steps and ropes to the Riemannhaus. Here you can refresh yourself again and refill drinking water supplies (for a fee) or spend the night if needed. Then continue only a few meters on the normal path towards Schönfeldspitze before turning right up to Sommerstein. Then continue to Schönegg to Wurmkopf (I). After descending from Wurmkopf there is the possibility to turn back to the Riemannhaus on the normal path, for example in case of weather changes or if you have already had problems so far. After a crossing, several climbing sections begin; it goes steep but always on grippy rock upwards. Then we cross the steep south slope on an earthy ledge (caution when wet). After a few more climbing parts, we cross a very exposed rock nose, which has been eased by a wire rope. Then we meet the eastern ascent and now ascend steeply to the summit in unsecured rocky terrain. During the descent, we stay on the east side and must carefully descend through the exposed, unsecured rocky terrain until we reach a ridge which extends with some climbing sections, ledges, and counter-ascent to the Buchauer Scharte. Here we could also return through the stone sea to the Riemannhaus. However, we first descend through the notch, initially steeper then flatter, back to Krallerwinkl or further to Maria Alm.
Information & contact
Theresa Schilling
5020 Salzburg
theresaschilling@googlemail.com
Photo credits: Theresa Schilling, Per Oftedal
By public transport
By S-Bahn, train, or bus 260 to Saalfelden. From there by bus 620 to Maria Alm.
Alternatively, to extend the time between the last bus/train, take a bicycle and ride from Saalfelden via Maria Alm to Krallerwinkel.
Timetable information and download: Online at www.salzburg-verkehr.at or on your smartphone via the free Salzburg Verkehr app for Android and iOS.
Direct arrival and details at: salzburg-erfahren.at
Safety information
Absolute surefootedness and a head for heights are required in the summit area of the Schönfeldspitze, except for one spot of completely unsecured rocky terrain, very exposed, unsecured climbing at grade I+ must be mastered, stable good weather, good fitness.Route profile
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