How was your night on the alpine pasture? Isn't it just a heavenly pleasure to forget about everyday life up on high? To turn off your mobile phone and only listen to the voice of nature? To see in the evening the lights turn on down in the valley and how the stars outshine them from light years away?
Today, you continue to keep everyday life at a distance, because here we head over wildly romantic high and low alpine pastures. Wonderful views alternate with delicious alpine delicacies. Today's route is a picture-book alpine trail stage and it ends with a real highlight. This is because the stage finish at the state-of-the-art and newly opened Hofgasteinerhaus is located very close to the Schlossalm mountain station. Up here, you discover the playful side of the mountains with an observation deck, slackline park and much more. We promise you that after this day you will sleep fantastically well in one of the 42 beds at 1,950 metres above sea level.
Stage Course
After a hearty breakfast on the Biberalm, we continue south. High above the valley and with an incomparable view, the mountains of the Hohe Tauern National Park get closer and closer. The first ascent leads over an old connecting path into a secluded valley to the unmanaged Kerscherhütte. Afterwards, we continue on the Hytonga Trail through the dense forest. After a few wet area crossings, the forest clears and the first managed alpine pastures are not far away. The Fundner Heimalm (1,380 m) with its own cheese dairy at the foot of the towering Guggenstein is reached after about 1.5 hours of walking and invites you to a short rest before continuing along the Leidalmbach. The best alpine produce is served here on the alpine pasture and is ideal for a small snack!
Through a shady mixed forest, the Alpine Trail leads in the direction of the managed and idyllically situated Brandner Hochalm (1,770 m). Here, hikers are also spoiled with a fantastic view as well as homemade alpine products such as Kaspressknödel.
From here, the wide trail now transforms step by step into a narrow path and leads into a secluded valley to the Kleine Scharte. Avalanche blasting areas and the longest ski run in Salzburg stand in stark contrast to the mountain wilderness. In the Schlossalm ski area, unspoilt nature and modern interventions intertwine. Both in winter and summer, this adventure mountain can be easily reached by cable car and offers guests a wide range of activities. Just below the mountain station, stage finish number seven awaits you at the modern Hofgasteiner Haus at 1,950 metres above sea level.
To make sure your day in the mountains is an unforgettable experience, here you can find some tips to keep you safe in the mountains.
For further information about the Salzburger Almenweg click here.
Along the trail
On your hike along the Salzburg Alpine Trail, you will always come across terms and names that seem strange at first, but that are closely linked to the region. For example, the term Hytonga, which you will encounter today on the "Hytonga Trail". Hytonga or Hütonga is composed of the words "hüten" (huts) and "anger". An anger refers to an alpine pasture where the animals can graze. The "Hütanger" is a special alpine pasture, in this case an area in the forest below the alpine pasture area, which serves as a snow refuge in summer. Since in the past, no hay was stored on the alpine pasture, but the animals also needed food during a cold snap with snow, they were driven to this special pasture.
Alpine Trail History
Through the Gastein Valley, the Gastein Ache, flows northwards sparkling in the sun. The river plays an important role in the famous legend "The Ring of the Weitmoserin". This haughty woman, who came from a wealthy Gastein mining family, is said to have once refused to help a beggar, whereupon the beggar cursed her and predicted the end of her wealth. Enraged, the proud woman then pulled her precious ring off her finger and threw it into the stream with the words "Just as this ring never sees the daylight again, so the ore in the Weitmos tunnels will never dry up!". Then, she rode away. When a large trout was presented to her at noon the next day, the ring fell from its belly. A short time later, one accident after another happened and the gold and silver mining dried up. This meant the decline of the Weitmoser family. Today, the Weitmoser Palace from the 16th century is home to the Scharfetter family's gourmet restaurant where local fish is still on the menu.
