HOHE TAUERN PANORAMA TRAIL | Stage 02: Wildgerlos Tal | Hochkrimml-Königsleiten Hiking tours

Starting point
Hochkrimml

Finishing point
Königsleiten

Route type
Hiking tours

You cross the summit, pass the summit station of the Plattenkogel-Express on your left and follow the very beautiful hiking trail down a ridge. At a fork, take the left path, climb up a few meters and then descend to the Breitscharte (1.925 m).

Now you choose the road, which at first is slightly ascending, straight ahead towards "Trisslalm/Leitenkammersteig". Later on, the road suddenly turns into a blocky climb - you are now on the Leitenkammersteig, which is one of the most challenging parts of the Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail. It is wonderfully wild and impressive but requires surefootedness, alpine experience and a certain amount of head for heights. At first you follow this trail barely descending over boulders and rocky alpine meadows, until after a while it leads steeply down through larch forests to the Trisslalm (1.583 m).

Tip: If you realize at the beginning of the rough terrain that you are not confident enough to do the passage, it still makes sense to turn back and take the alternative route.

From the Trisslalm, which, like the soon to follow Alpengasthof Finkau, offers an excellent place to stop for a bite to eat, follow the gravel road out of the valley towards Alpengasthof Finkau and cut off to the left again and again along hiking paths with viewing platforms that lead very close to the Leitenkammerklamm gorge. This deeply cut gorge with its ravines should not be missed! Down in the flat valley you follow the gravel road left along the valley bottom to the already visible Alpengasthof Finkau (1.420 m).

Past the guesthouse you walk along the asphalt road flat out of the valley until the road makes a sharp right turn just before the Durlaßboden reservoir. Continue straight on over the gravel road and then over the west bank of the reservoir to the Bärschlagalm. Now the gravel road narrows to a nice walking path which you follow further above the shore to the dam wall at the western end of the reservoir.

You cross the dam wall (on the other side there is a lunch station) and follow the wonderful footpath to the right along the north bank. This section leads you through several very beautiful mountain coves, which invite you to stay. At the end of the path you will reach an asphalt road which you follow to the left away from the reservoir. Pass the valley station of the Plattenkogel-Express to the old Gerlospass road and cross it.

Now the last part of your today's hike begins: Right on the other side of the road a hiking trail starts, which brings you to a small asphalt road. Follow that road to the left until you reach another road. Walk a few metres uphill to the right and you will reach your destination in the center of the village Königsleiten (1.567 m).

If weather conditions, such as snow at high altitudes during low season, or level of fitness do not permit stage 2 of the Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail, then we recommend the following alternative route:

Alternativ route 02 Plattenkogel | Hochkrimml-Krimml

it is a moderately difficult mountain trail but requires solid surefootedness due to the rocky and sometimes steep terrain.

If weather conditions, such as snow at high altitudes during low season, or level of fitness do not permit stage 2 of the Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail, then we recommend the following alternative route:

Alternativ route 02 Plattenkogel | Hochkrimml-Krimml

You need alpine hiking equipment for the Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail:

• Day backpack, capacity: 25–30 litres, with waist belt and rain cover 
• Hiking boots – minimum category B 
• Weather-adapted and hard-wearing clothing in multiple layers. The Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail is mostly at altitudes between 1,300m and 2,450m - this should be taken into account when choosing your hiking equipment (especially your clothing).
• Height-adjustable trekking poles
• Sun and rain protection
• Make sure take enough to eat and sufficiently large water bottles with you, as there are not refreshment stops and fountains on all stages (e.g. on stages 5 and 7).
• First aid kit
• Pocket knife
• Mobile phone
• Tour description or hiking map

• www.hohetauerntrail.at
• Ferienregion Nationalpark Hohe TauernGerlosstraße 18 5730 Mittersill, AustriaPhone +43 6562 40939  E-Mail: hohetauerntrail@nationalpark.at

• Booking center & info hotlineTrail Angels GmbH9821 Obervellach 15, AustriaPhone +43 4782 93093E-Mail: info@bookyourtrail.com