Almkogel

At the beginning you follow path 216 through very beautiful mixed forest to the Rieserhütte youth hostel and further over open meadows and forest areas to Rieserhöhe. Along Schwarzensee it's a short walk to Leistalm with a place to eat. Through Steigtal (path 216) to Salzsteigjoch (descent option to Hinterstoder). Immediately from the pass steeply upward on clear path tracks - marked with cairns - mostly left along the edge past the dwarf pine fields to the magnificent alpine meadow plateau of Almkogel. The path requires surefootedness in the lower part and has a few easy climbing sections. Left past the dwarf pine fields to the summit slope and to the highest point with a comprehensive view of the surrounding mountains.

The descent via the east ridge of Almkogel is only a bit tricky and exposed at the beginning; the climbing itself is easy. You follow the path traces (partly cairns) mostly on the ridge or just to the right over well-stepped grassy slabs up to the band of dwarf pines above Hochsteinscharte. The impressive views and the magnificent rock scenery at Schneeschlitzspitz continue to inspire. Shortly before Hochsteinscharte turn right downhill - watch out for the cut hunting path through the dwarf pines - and reach the meadow area in the pass. Now straight through a small gully heading south easily down to Ochsenboden with beautiful larch forest. Keep slightly left here to reach the hunting/alpine path to the Hanslhütte youth hostel. From the hunting lodge take the Gaissteig (path 218) to the marked path junction through the Grimmingschlucht gorge into the Gnanitz. Through the impressive gorge a well-developed alpine road leads to Gnanitzalm with managed huts and good places to rest. The varied route until then certainly compensates for the approx. 5 km road walk back to the starting point.