HOHE TAUERN PANORAMA TRAIL | Stage 05: Rettensteinblick | Mountain station Wildkogelbahn / Neukirchen-Bramberg-Hollersbach Hiking tours
Tour description
Magnificent views of the glacier world of the Hohe Tauern to the herb and art village of Hollersbach
The stage from the Wildkogelbahn mountain station to Hollersbach features two distinct sections.The first part, crossing the 2,224-meter-high Wildkogel, follows a classic high-altitude trail. From the starting point to the Wetterkreuz, you will continuously hike between 1,750 and 2,200 meters above sea level, traversing green and well-walkable mountain ridges.
The second part of the stage consists of a long descent on hiking trails down into the Salzach Valley, where the final kilometers lead to Hollersbach.
The terrain is moderately challenging, and the well-maintained hiking trails make the route generally accessible. However, due to the high-altitude conditions, alpine hiking experience and stable weather are essential. If the weather is not favorable for a day in the mountains, we recommend the shorter alternative route:
Alternativroute 05 Sonnenweg | Bramberg-Hollersbach.
Details & elevation profile
Starting point
Mountain station Wildkogelbahn / Neukirchen-Bramberg
Finishing point
Hollersbach - Village Square
Route type
Hiking tours
Route description:
How do you get to the start of your stage? Before this stage, you will stay overnight in the valley, either in Bramberg or Neukirchen.
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If you are staying in Neukirchen, take the Wildkogelbahn from the valley station in the town center up to the mountain station. From there, follow the ridge eastward on the southern side, and after about 20 minutes, you will reach the Smaragdbahn mountain station.
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Alternatively, you can take the Smaragdbahn in Bramberg up to the mountain station. From there, you can directly join the stage coming from the Wildkogelbahn mountain station.
The first ascent starts at both mountain railways at 9:00 a.m. - if you register in advance by 12:00 PM on the previous day (by email to info@wildkogel-arena.at or by phone at +43 720 710 730), the cable car can also be used at 8:00 a.m.Here you can find the opening hours of the cable cars >> - Tip: With the National Park SommerCard, a ride on the cable car and the use of public transportation are free of charge. You can get the Nationalpark SommerCard from the first night in participating accommodations.
Right behind the Christophorus Chapel at the Smaragdbahn mountain station, the hiking trail ascends to the summit of Wildkogel (2,224 m). From here, follow the path along the mountain ridge, slightly downhill. At the weather cross, the path enters the forest and soon meets a service road. Turn right here to stay on the hiking trail. When you encounter the service road next time, follow it a few meters to the left and then turn right again onto the hiking trail. Stay left at the next two intersections and follow the path to a parking lot. Continue straight on the hiking trail until it merges into a road. Turn right onto this road and follow the switchbacks to Gasthof Bergkristall and further to Gasthof Geislhof. Behind Geislhof, the hiking trail begins again, leading downhill in a few curves. At the next opportunity, turn right and follow the path until you reach the area of Mühlbach. There, you will encounter an asphalt road again. Keep right and cross the bridge on the left side. Immediately after, turn left again. At the fork, choose the right path and then proceed straight. The path initially ascends gently to the forest. There, turn right off the asphalt road onto the hiking trail and descend again slightly. Continue at a consistent elevation until the path meets a road again. At this point, keep right and pass by a farmhouse. Then, under the Panoramabahn Kitzbüheler Alpen, at the next intersection, turn left again. Walk straight past the wayside shrine and the following trail intersection, and only then turn right onto a steep path leading towards the railway tracks. Walk along the road next to the tracks until you reach the bridge. To reach today's stage destination, the village square in Hollersbach, cross the Salzach here and immediately turn right and then left. Walk across the parking lot by the bathing lake towards the town center. The path passes by the sports field and between the houses.
If weather conditions, such as snow at high altitudes during low season, or level of fitness do not permit stage 5 of the Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail, then we recommend the following alternative route:
Tips
Enjoy an unforgettable hiking experience on the High Tauern Panorama Trail! The official High Tauern Panorama Trail Information and Booking Center with the award-winning Trail Angels team is happy to assist you. Experience a combination of personal freedom and the yearning for the extraordinary, paired with service, comfort, and safety. Top offer: The Small Escape Package: 2 nights, 2 stages including luggage service, shuttle and return transfer, and much more, starting from €212.
Recommended equipment
Alternativroute 05 Sonnenweg | Bramberg-Hollersbach.
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
Best time of year
How to get there
- From the north: Inntal autobahn A12 (vignette required), exit Zillertal, federal road B 169 Coming from Munich via the A12 to exit Kufstein Süd (St-Johann-Kitzbühel-Pass Thurn) and then via the B165 to Wald / Königsleiten or to the Zillertal exit the B169 to Zell am Ziller and the B165 Hainzenberg and Gerlospaß to Bramberg.
- From the east: A10 Tauern motorway to Werfen, B 311 to Schwarzach, Zell am See, then on the B 168 to Mittersill and on via the B 165 motorway A12 towards Salzburg - exit Zillertal via the B169 to Zell am Ziller and the B165 Hainzenberg and Gerlospaß to Bramberg. You start at the mountain station of the Wildkogelbahn or Smaragdbahn.
47.2806, 12.28102
The IC/EC train station is located in Zell am See. From there, the Pinzgauer Lokalbahn, a narrow-gauge railroad, will take you to Krimml. Stops are located along all trail towns. Bus connections from Zell am See to Königsleiten are
- 670 line: Zell am See - Mittersill – Krimml
- 673 line: Wald im Pinzgau - Krimml - Almdorf Königsleiten
Timetables and information on how to get there by public transport >>
Parking is available at the respective starting points of the trail trip. Most of the parking spaces are free and not monitored!
Further information & links
- www.hohetauerntrail.at
- Ferienregion Nationalpark Hohe Tauern Gerlosstraße 18 5730 Mittersill, Austria Phone +43 6562 40939 E-Mail: hohetauerntrail@nationalpark.at
- Booking center & info hotline Trail Angels GmbH 9821 Obervellach 15, Austria Phone +43 4782 93093 E-Mail: info@bookyourtrail.com