Hinterer Seelenkogel (3,470 m) from Obergurgl

We start the route with a gondola ride to Hohe Mut. 

We follow the saddle of the Hohe Mut between Gaisbergtal and Rotmoostal toward Rotmoosferner. The path largely remains at the same altitude until just before the glacier.

After a 15-minute walk, we leave the saddle and hike at the same altitude toward a striking moraine. The path is still well marked here. Our next stop is an official stamp station.

From Rotmoostal to the Rotmoosjoch

After the stamp station, we continue along the moraine ridge for about 100 meters. Then we turn right into the glacier basin. We lose some altitude before we search for a logical route through the pathless terrain across glacier plates and rocky fields to the beginning of the glacier.

On the stone plates, water flows down from all sides in countless rivulets and streams. Cairns repeatedly mark the best route.

Soon after, we stand at the glacier and put on crampons. Since the glacier is free of snow and no large crevasses remain, we decide to cross the glacier without a rope.

Shortly before huge blocks of a rockfall below the Scheiberkogel, we diverge from the glacier toward the Rotmoosjoch. At first glance, this looks not inviting at all, and as we approach the wall, we wonder where the path will lead over.

The closer we get to the wall, the more clearly we see the steel cables and stairs of the equipped "via ferrata." The last few meters to the secured section lead over a steep snowfield. From the Rotmoosjoch, we get a view of the Zwickauer Hut and the Hinterer Seelenkogel, which today is hidden in clouds.

Over the Zwickauer Hut to the Hinterer Seelenkogel

We descend from the Rotmoosjoch to the glacier behind and cross it toward the Zwickauer Hut, which is clearly visible. This glacier is also snow-free, and we again forego the rope.

Over a pathless glacier moraine of rubble and huge boulders, we look for a path to the Zwickauer Hut.

However, we do not visit it but head directly to the ridge toward the Hinterer Seelenkogel. The path to the Seelenkogel is marked with red dots and well-trodden. So we do not have to worry about route-finding here. We can enjoy the view into the Meraner basin, the glacier, and the mighty ridge.

Along moderately demanding hiking terrain and easy climbing sections, the path snakes up the ridge. The ridge feels endless, and due to the clouds, we rarely catch a glimpse toward the summit. The ascent is varied due to the alternating hiking and climbing sections.

From the Hinterer Seelenkogel back to Obergurgl

From the summit, we only have to descend a few meters before reaching the Seelenferner. Here we put on crampons and tie into the rope. We would recommend this to everyone because the Seelenferner is riddled with deep crevasses. We first follow the flat ridge to the notch below the Mittlerer Seelenkogel. From here, we descend a steep flank into the glacier basin.

Those with time and motivation can climb further over the ridge of the Mittlerer Seelenkogel to its summit instead of descending. The descent then proceeds on the other side over another side arm of the Seelenferner into the Langtal.

We soon reach the end of the glacier. From here, it goes over a huge moraine once more before reaching the lush green Langtal. The valley lives up to its name. The path through the Langtal to the Langtalereckhütte drags on endlessly. This is compensated by the magnificent view of the Ramolkogel, the Langtalferner, and the Hochwilde. We repeatedly stop and marvel at this unique landscape.

Our feet hurt, and we are truly glad when we finally see the Langtalereckhütte.