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Around the summit of Steirische Kalkspitze

· 1 review · Mountain Hike · Schladming-Dachstein
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Erlebnisregion Schladming-Dachstein Verified partner  Explorers Choice 
  • Wayside cross near Ursprungalm, Steirische Kalkspitze in the backdrop
    Wayside cross near Ursprungalm, Steirische Kalkspitze in the backdrop
    Photo: Herbert Raffalt, Tourismusverband Schladming - Herbert Raffalt
Rewarding walk around Steirische Kalkspitze summit with 3 lakes, 3 chalets and manifold beautiful views.
moderate
Distance 10.3 km
5:31 h
923 m
923 m
2,315 m
1,600 m

Beautiful hike around the summits of Steirische and Lungauer Kalkspitze. The limestone of these 2 mountains lies inmidst the primitive rock of the Schladming Tauern range and gives a special feature to this hike. Along the route you encounter Giglachseen Lakes and Oberhüttensee Lake as well as Giglachsee Hütte, Oberhütte and Ursprungalm chalets as refreshment stops.

The landscape is characterised by limestone and dolines (typical karst phenomena), which bring along unique flora. Moreover, the Giglachseen Lakes and Oberhüttensee Lake give the special appeal to this tour.

Profile picture of Gerhard Pilz
Author
Gerhard Pilz
Update: June 15, 2022
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Risk potential
Highest point
Akarscharte ridge, 2,315 m
Lowest point
Ursprungalm chalets, 1,600 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Dirt road 2.38%Forested/wild trail 23.57%Path 74.04%
Dirt road
0.2 km
Forested/wild trail
2.4 km
Path
7.6 km
Show elevation profile

Safety information

Be careful on the ascent to Brotrinnl - lose  rocks and soil. Surefootedness, a head for heights and alpine experience required!

Changes in weather patterns, quick falls in temperature, thunderstorms, wind, fog and snow are some of the dangers that can be encountered on a hiking tour. Hosts of alpine huts and mountain refuges have a lot of experience in the mountains and can give good advice about weather and the trails. Poor equipment, overestimation of one's own capabilities, carelessness, poor personal constitution and/or wrong judgement  can lead to critical situations. In case of thunderstorms: avoid summits, ridges and steel ropes.

GPS data and orienteering

Available GPS data - just like hiking maps - is only a guidance for orientation and can never depict a trail exactly with all its details. Especially at dangerous spots it is essential to judge on site how to proceed.

In an emergency please call:

  • 140 - for Alpine emergencies (all over Austria)
  • 112 - European GSM emergency number

Tips and hints

Tourist information: www.schladming.com

Information about bus schedules:

360° drone images

Get yourself an overview with our 360° drone images:

Start

Hiking trail head Ursprungalm (1,602 m)
Coordinates:
DD
47.296430, 13.623730
DMS
47°17'47.1"N 13°37'25.4"E
UTM
33T 395949 5239024
w3w 

Destination

Hiking trail head Ursprungalm

Turn-by-turn directions

From the Ursprungalm chalets you take trail n° 711 via Rinderfeld and Preuneggsattel mountain saddle to Giglachsee Hütte chalet at the Giglachseen Lakes. From here you follow trail n° 702 in wide bends to the Znachsattel mountain saddle and further on to the Akarscharte ridge. From here you can make an ascent to Steirische or Lungauer Kalkspitze (additional walking time approx. 1 hour for each).

From Akarscharte you follow trail n° 702 downhill to Oberhütte chalet. Follow the route no. 702 downhill from the Akarscharte to Oberhüttensee Lake. After the Akarscharte you walk through an interesting landscape: crevasses, rounded hunchbacks line up and the light rock in the middle of the primary rock forms the surrounding mountains shows a “limestone-window” in the prehistoric rocks. You descend for approximately 500 meters (altitude level).

Oberhüttensee Lake and its hut make a lovely resting place, before you continue to Ursprungalm chalets via Brotrinnl and a 200 m ascent (steady-footing) and then descend via the Kranzlhöhe heights on a narrow path through the charming landscape to the Ursprungalm.

Public transport

Public-transport-friendly

With the Planai buses from Schladming (Planet-Planai, Lendplatz) or Rohrmoos (Rohrmoos-Zentrum) to Preuneggtal valley - bus stop Ursprungalm (last stop).

By road

Turn-off from federal highway B320 in Pichl and continue on Preuneggstraße road towards Ursprungalm/Reiteralm. Pass by the valley terminal of Preungg-Jet and you will reach the toll station at Strickbrücke bridge. You continue on the toll road (dirt road), passing by Moarhofalm chalet until you reach the car parking at Ursprungalm at an altitude of 1,600 m.

Alternatively you can drive into Preuneggtal valley from Schladming via Rohrmoos. From Schladming you take provincial highway L722 through Rohrmoos and after about 6 kms you turn off right into Hohenbergstraße road. This road will also take you to Strickbrücke road. From here follow the directions as described above.

Parking

The best way to the starting point is via Planai buses. You can park your car at Planet Planai in Schladming or in the center of Rohrmoos where parking is available.  There is also parking available near Ursprungalm in Preuneggtal valley.

Coordinates

DD
47.296430, 13.623730
DMS
47°17'47.1"N 13°37'25.4"E
UTM
33T 395949 5239024
w3w 
///suggest.foldable.rinks
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

Book recommendation by the author

  • Hiking Guide Schladming-Dachstein von Herbert Rafalt, available at the Info office Schladming (only in German)

Author’s map recommendations

  • Hiking map Schladming, 1:25.000, available at the tourist office Schladming.
  • Hiking map Schladming-Dachstein, 1:50.000, available at the tourist office Schladming.

Equipment

A well-packed backpack is helpful and especially when touring Alpine terrain a tuque, gloves, a windproof jacket and pants are standard equipment. Good, waterproof shoes, sun glasses, sun cream and sufficient beverages are essential too. Torch light, a map of the area, knie and a small first-aid kit should also be in the backpack.

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Rating

5.0
(1)
Monika Pruchnicka
August 14, 2020 · Community
Beautiful hike. Descent from Brotrinnl is very steep and there is a lot of loose rocks. This is only one difficulty on this hike.
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Photo: Monika Pruchnicka, Community
Photo: Monika Pruchnicka, Community
Photo: Monika Pruchnicka, Community
Photo: Monika Pruchnicka, Community
Photo: Monika Pruchnicka, Community
Photo: Monika Pruchnicka, Community
Photo: Monika Pruchnicka, Community
Photo: Monika Pruchnicka, Community
Photo: Monika Pruchnicka, Community
Photo: Monika Pruchnicka, Community
Photo: Monika Pruchnicka, Community

Photos from others

+ 7

Reviews
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
10.3 km
Duration
5:31 h
Ascent
923 m
Descent
923 m
Highest point
2,315 m
Lowest point
1,600 m
Public-transport-friendly Circular route Scenic Flora Refreshment stops available Geological highlights

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