Hike to the Rosskogel

Mountain station 4-seater chairlift Tauplitzalm or parking lot at Tauplitzalm

Start from the mountain station of the 4-seater chairlift or from the parking lot on the Tauplitzalm in an easterly direction past the Hotel Kirchenwirt, slightly downhill to the Naturfreundehaus and immediately afterwards along the footpath to the left of the asphalt road, again slightly downhill to Lake Tauplitz. In early summer, the surrounding meadows are transformed into a sea of flowers, where purple alpine rue, velvety blue gentian, hellebores and rock carnations bloom by the millions.

 

Passing the northern shore of the Tauplitzsee, you come to the Grazerhütte - here in the 1930s mountaineering icon Heinrich Harrer worked as a hut warden. Across the alpine pastures, follow the alpine pasture road in an easterly direction until you reach the Steirersee - a short detour to the popular Steirersee-Bankerl is worthwhile. From there there is a great view to the legendary Sturzhahn, which Heinrich Harrer climbed for the first time.

 

Continue on a descending alpine road through a valley until you reach the alpine floor and the Steirerseehütten located above the Steirersee. Now you follow the Salzsteig in a northeasterly direction and go - slightly uphill - through a sparse larch forest - when the needles change color in autumn, this trail passage shimmers in a soft golden hue. Via the salt trail, which is mostly at the same altitude, you walk at the feet of the legendary Sturzhahn with beautiful views of its characteristic shape to a small mountain saddle. From there you can enjoy the view to the Schwarzensee and the Leistalm.

 

On the southern shore of the Schwarzensee, trail 218/209A now leads towards the Leistalm. Now follow the alpine pasture to the southeast and cross trail 218 through a sparse larch stand. Above the timberline you reach the 1,890m high summit of the Rosskogel in a southeasterly direction - with a moderate incline.

Here you can enjoy the dream view in peace before you make your way back.

 

The way back can be done on the south side of the Steirersee. If you don't want to go back to the starting point on the asphalt road, change to the gravel road shortly before the Natufreundehaus and follow the meadow path to the parking lot.