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Long Distance Hiking
· Austria
Long-Distance Trail 01 - Northern Alpine Trail
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Start at the long-distance hiking stone in PerchtoldsdorfPhoto: alpenvereinaktiv.com
The Austrian long-distance trail 01 - also called the Northern Alpine Trail - crosses Austria in an east-west direction, between the Wienerwald and Lake Constance.
The Northern Alpine long-distance trail 01 was opened in 1975 and is the first Austrian high-altitude traverse through the Eastern Alps. It extends from Lake Neusiedl or Wienerwald through the northern limestone zone of the Eastern Alps to Lake Constance. In doing so, it crosses the seven federal states of Burgenland, Lower Austria, Styria, Upper Austria, Salzburg, Tyrol, and Vorarlberg, and reaches altitudes close to 3,000 m in the Dachstein and Hochkönig areas as well as on the Zugspitze and in the Lechtal Alps on this mostly already high alpine long-distance trail. Therefore, besides alpine equipment, sure-footedness, freedom from dizziness in some sections, and orientation skills in fog are essential, and glacier experience is even required for the alpine variant at Dachstein.
There are some variants on the route, each marked with the number 01A. For technical reasons, these are listed at the end of the stage list here. The most difficult high alpine stages (Dachstein, Hochkönig, Loferer Steinberge, Zugspitze) each have a valley-near A-variant, which is recommended for beginners and for everyone else under poor conditions and is referenced in the descriptions respectively.
For further information, we recommend the guide "Austrian Long-Distance Trail 01 - Northern Alpine Trail" (self-published by the Austrian Alpine Association Section Long-Distance Hikers, the current edition exclusively available at Freytag & Berndt, 1010 Vienna, Wallnerstrasse 3, www.freytagberndt.at).
The new edition of the guide features a new stage division with now 61, partly shorter stages (the trail route itself remains the same). This has not yet been incorporated here - please refer to the printed work.
Author’s recommendation
The Northern Alpine Trail is THE Austrian alpine trail that (when bypassing the Dachstein glaciers) can still be managed by experienced mountain hikers without high alpine equipment. Since it crosses or at least touches some of the most famous peaks of the Austrian Alps - such as Schneeberg, Dachstein, Hochkönig, and Zugspitze - it is a unique experience for any alpinist with enough time.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Show elevation profileRest stops
Kammersteiner-HüttePeilstein-Haus
Edelweiss-Hütte am Schneeberg
Kienthaler Hütte 1380 m
Otto-Haus
Schneealpen-Haus
Sonnschien-Hütte
Safety information
Already from the third day out of Vienna, mostly alpine terrain; sure-footedness, freedom from dizziness, and the ability to overcome easy climbing sections are required. Physically sometimes very demanding. The most challenging stages can only be tackled between July and September without high alpine equipment.
Tips and suggestions
Current information on Austrian long-distance trails can be found at http://www.alpenverein.at/weitwanderer/.
Roadbook
Burgenland route: Rust on Lake Neusiedl (123 m) – Rosalien Mountains (748 m) – Hochwolkersdorf (625 m) – Semmering (985 m) – Rax (2007 m), confluence with the Vienna route). Easy to moderate routes - approx. 110 km.
Vienna route: Perchtoldsdorf (265 m) – Peilstein (718 m) – Hohe Mandling (969 m) – Hohe Wand (1132 m) – Dürre Wand (1155 m) – Schneeberg (2075 m) – Rax (2007 m, confluence with the Burgenland route). Easy to moderate routes, approx. 110 km.
Veitsch and Hochschwab: Rax (2007 m) – Schneealpe (1903 m) – Neuberg/Mürztal (756 m) – Hohe Veitsch (1981 m) – Seebergsattel (1254 m) – Hochschwab (2277 m) – Eisenerz (769 m). Moderate to demanding routes, approx. 120 km.
Gesäuse Mountains and Dead Mountains: Eisenerz (769 m) – Hesshütte (1699 m) – Mödlinger Hütte (1521 m) – Admont (641 m) – Spital am Pyhrn (647 m) – Warscheneck (2389 m) – Hinterstoder (585 m) – Temelberg pass (2082 m) – Loser hut (1497 m) – Bad Goisern (500 m) – Theodor Körner hut (1466 m) – Hofpürgel hut (1705 m) – Lungötz (1828 m) – Werfen (548 m). Moderate routes, approx. 270 km.
High alpine variant Dachstein: Bad Goisern (500 m) – Hallstatt on Lake Hallstatt (511 m) – Simony hut (2206 m) – Hoßwandscharte (2197 m) – Adamek hut (2196 m) – Hofpürgel hut (1705 m) – Lungötz (828 m) – Werfen (548 m). Moderate to demanding routes, approx. 60 km.
Hochkönig, Kaiser and Karwendel mountains, Zugspitze: Werfen (548 m) – Erich hut (1546 m) – Maria Alm (802 m) – Riemann House (2177 m) – Ingolstadt House (2119 m) – Lofer (626 m) – Steinplatte (1360 m) – Straubing House (1598 m) – Stripsenjoch House (1580 m) – Kufstein (504 m) – Maurach on Lake Achen (958 m) – Karwendel House (1765 m) – Kufstein (504 m) – Leutasch/Obern (1166 m) – Ehrwald (994 m). Moderate routes, approx. 290 km.
High alpine variant Hochkönig and Zugspitze: Werfen (548 m) – Franz-Eduard-Matras House (2941 m) – Riemann house (2177 m) – Ingolstadt house (2119 m) – Lofer (626 m) – Waidringer Nieder (2372 m) – Steinplatte (1360 m) – Stripsenjoch house (1580 m) – Kufstein (504 m) – Erfurt hut (1834 m) – Karwendel house (1765 m) – Meiler hut (2366 m) – Ehrwald (994 m). Moderate to demanding routes, approx. 150 km.
Lechtal Alps, Arlberg, Bregenz Forest, Lake Constance: Ehrwald (994 m) – Anhalter hut (2040 m) – Memminger hut (2242 m) – Ansbacher hut (2376 m) – Stuttgart hut (2303 m) – Ravensburg hut (1948 m) – Göppingen hut (2245 m) – Biberach hut (1846 m) – Damüls (1428 m) – Freschen house (1945 m) – Bregenz (400 m). Very demanding routes, approx. 250 km.
Peilstein-Haus
Gauermannhütte
Edelweiss-Hütte am Schneeberg
Fishing hut
Kienthaler Hütte 1380 m
Otto-Haus
Schneealpen-Haus
Sonnschien-Hütte
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
See the respective stage descriptions.
Basically, travelers are recommended to arrive by public transport, as retrieving the car at the starting point is often only possible with great effort or not on the same day.
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Book recommendations for this region:
Recommended maps for this region:
Equipment
Depending on the altitude of the stage and season, mountain or hiking boots, possibly hiking poles. Every backpack should contain: rain, cold, sun protection, a first aid kit, mobile phone (European emergency number 112), sufficient fluids, hiking map of the region.
It is strongly recommended for the modern long-distance hiker to follow the trend towards ultralight equipment. Numerous manufacturers today offer especially light yet functional clothing and equipment. The most sensible and cost-effective advice, however, is not to take unnecessary clothing and equipment at all. Without compromising on the necessary safety reserves, always following the motto: "As little as possible, as much as necessary".
The backpack including water and daily provisions should not weigh more than 10 kg when overnighting in accommodations and should have a volume of 25-35 liters.
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Weather at the starting point
Statistics
Easy Northern Alpine Trail stage through the Vienna Woods, which has a lot to offer not only culturally (Heiligenkreuz Abbey, Mayerling Castle, etc ...
A nice, cozy stage of the Nordalpenweg that does not offer any major highlights and is therefore suitable for "getting into hiking" in spring or as ...
The crossing of the Dürre Wand gives a first taste of more alpine stages – especially because you get closer and closer to the king Schneeberg, ...
This first alpine stage leads us to the "King of the East": The Schneeberg!
This stage combines a steep, rocky ascent with exciting views deep down over the Wachthüttelkamm to the Rax with a beautiful, scenic plateau hike.
This stage first takes us to the main summit of the Rax, the Heukuppe, followed by a challenging descent via the insured Gamsecksteig (A/B) and a ...
This stage first leads to the Windberg, the main summit of the Schneealm, with views of other beautiful peaks such as the Donnerwand and Kleine ...
After the strenuous but easy ascent, the route takes you across the extensive plateau of the Veitsch to the summit and finally to the cosy Graf ...
Those who love alpine hikes will get their money's worth on this stage.
This stage takes us over the very scenic, steep, and alpine Graf Meran route to the panoramic Hochschwab summit, then across the elongated plateau ...
The long descent from Sonnschienalm to Leopoldsteinersee leads over alpine pastures, forests, and an impressive gorge.
The stage has a relatively high proportion of (forest) roads, but the visit to Eisenerz with its beautiful old townhouses is worth it.
This stage unfortunately has a high proportion of forest roads. It only becomes scenic at the Sulzkaralm, and the Sulzkarhund is truly a curious ...
This stage takes us on comfortable and well-maintained paths through the heart of the Gesäuse.
The highlight of this stage is certainly Admont with its famous monastery. Unless you choose the quite challenging alpine variant 01A, on which you ...
The highlight of this stage is the impressive Doktor-Vogelgesang Gorge with its roaring waterfalls and rugged rock walls.
The ascent from the Polsterlucke past the picturesque Klinserfall to the Prielschutzhaus is especially impressive.
This quite challenging stage leads us through the heart of the Totes Gebirge: impressive rocky desert, karst, sinkholes as far as the eye can see!
This stage leads us through a rather gentle part of the Totes Gebirge with forest, lakes, and alpine pastures.
We hike from Loserhütte in a loop around the Loser to the beautiful Blaa-Alm, up to Sandlingalm, to Lambacher Hütte and Hütteneckalm, and finally ...
We hike here on the alpine variant via Hallstatt, which as the name suggests is basically alpine but still easy in the valley on the first day and ...
This stage is best split over two days with an overnight stay at the Adamekhütte. It leads through high alpine terrain! From the Simonyhütte, you ...
After the excursion to the bizarre rock and glacier region at Dachstein, the Salzburg Alpine trail today is significantly more leisurely and above ...
An unspectacular connecting stage into the Salzach valley takes us in a few hours to Werfen, where we have reached the halfway point of the ...
This physically very demanding stage leads to the second highest summit on the North Alpine Trail, the Hochkönig (2,941 m).
The high trail from Hochkönig to the Steinernes Meer is a unique, mostly solitary experience, but also very demanding both physically and technically!
A final half-day at altitude, and unless we plan a slight detour for the alpine variant of the Loferer Steinberge, we leave here for almost a week ...
This stage takes us further through the Bavarian-Austrian border area almost to Tyrol. Contrary to the guide by the long-distance hiking section, ...
This stage is divided into two days with overnight stays in St. Ulrich am Pillersee (optionally it can also be split into three days with ...
Our alpine pasture hike through the Tyrolean Unterland today leads us into the legendary Wilder Kaiser.
The second day through the Kaisergebirge - probably mostly in the largely car-free Kaisertal valley below - offers pure idyll.
Today's stage runs largely on forest roads but at least passes by the lovely Thiersee (possible stopover).
A very varied and long day awaits us – first continuing on forest roads through low valleys, then in the afternoon the impressive crossing of the ...
Today we go past the idyllic Achensee from the Rofan to the next mountain group - the Karwendel will host us for the following days.
The Karwendel crossing offers one of the loveliest landscape experiences along the North Alpine path - but far from a hidden gem.
A rather unspectacular connecting route takes us mostly along forest roads to the foot of the Wetterstein mountains.
The alpine variant to the Zugspitze - the highest mountain in the Außerfern region ;) - which takes at least two days, is well deserved: 1,300 ...
A moderately unattractive connecting stage beside ski lifts and heavily trafficked federal roads takes us over the Fernpass.
First rewarding solitary mountain route, then a long lonely alpine road hike, finally another brilliant ascent into the Lechtal Alps.
Next, it continues to the Lechtal Alps, which are characterized by magnificent landscapes and geological diversity.
One of the central stages in the Lechtal Alps leads over a fantastic high-altitude route across several cols and the charming Württemberger Haus.
A strenuous descent and re-ascent is made up for by a very beautiful high route afterwards. Great option to include the only three-thousander of ...
The last stage, which leads us exclusively through the Lechtal Alps, is also the one where the mountain range is unfortunately most developed ...
The transition route from the Lechtal Alps to the Lechquellen mountain range is unfortunately marked by roads and ski lifts.
The Kaiser stage in the Lechquellengebirge leaves nothing to be desired for landscape enthusiasts!
Short connecting stretch between two huts, unfortunately with a long descent and luckily a somewhat shorter ascent.
Varied high-altitude route with a crossing over a saddle, which conveniently passes as a summit.
The last 2000-meter peak on the route and a first magnificent view of the destination of our long-distance hike, Lake Constance.
The big finale to Lake Constance – you really can't say much more than that.
Variant 01A Stage on long-lasting dirt roads, partly along paved roads, but always with the Pannonian flair in mind.
Variant 01A Orchards, Forchtenstein Castle, the view from the Rosalia over the gentle hills of the Bucklige Welt are the highlights of this day ...
Variant 01A In constant ups and downs we hike from Hochwolkersdorf to Rams through the northern Bucklige Welt and see Schneeberg on gentle ridges.
The trail variant of the third stage of the main route leads from Hohe Mandling to Peisching, from there over the Hohe Wand to Scheuchenstein and ...
Variant 01A From Rams we hike today without significant difficulties via Raach, Schlagl and Maria Schutz to the Semmering pass summit.
Variant 01A Mostly in the forest but also with scenic spots, sometimes into the Mürz valley, sometimes to the Rax, in a constant up and down on ...
Variant 01A From Bad Goisern there is the option to take the slightly less alpine route to Hofpürgl Hut. We reach Gosau via the Schartenalm in ...
Variation 01A, on the Gosau Ridge From Gosau, at the chapel on the Kalvarienberg we hike through the primeval forest, interrupted by alpine ...
Before continuing our path, we will need to decide whether to take the very challenging route over the Hochkönig to the Riemannhaus (Alpine variant ...
Continuing around the Hochkönig via the easier route 01A from the Erichhütte to the Riemannhaus.
Nice forest and alpine pasture section, highlight is the wild romantic Klemmrichsteig. Contrary to the guide of the long-distance hikers section, ...
This is the easier variant 01A from Leutasch via the Ehrwalder Alm to Lermoos. Unlike the demanding and, in bad weather, also dangerous alpine ...
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