Cottbusser Höhenweg

The start is the mountain station of the Riffelseebahn. From there you go right towards the lake. After about twenty meters a path goes uphill. We follow this path always ascending until you have to cross the large boulders for the first time. Orientation is often required at the rock fields, as the markings are not always visible. Occasionally, cairns have been set up for better orientation. After about 45 minutes you reach the junction to Brandkogel. Those who want to make a detour to Brandkogel should add about two hours to the planned route time. After circumnavigating Brandkogel, you continue on the same level over further rock gullies. After the last rock gully, there is a short uphill stretch.
Here begins the challenging section of the high path (secured with cable from here). Anyone continuing now should have alpine experience. After a short steep descent, the same altitude must be climbed again. The wall has footholds to help climb. However, caution is advised as water flows down the wall, making some footholds slippery. Once you have managed the wall, you continue over rock fields until you reach the plateau below Steinkogel. Here is a good snack spot with a perfect view into the valley, to the Wildspitze and, of course, to the goal, the Kaunergrat hut. After a generous snack, you continue on the high path, which now remains at the same altitude. However, the rock fields demand a good sense of orientation. Since many stones lie loosely on top of each other, one must be careful not to slip or trigger a rockfall. Mountain streams flow under many rock fields, so you might get wet feet if you step between two stones. At the junction to Plangeross Alm (signpost no longer available), the tour unfortunately had to be aborted due to increasing thunderstorm risk and the later safe descent seemed impossible.

EARLY DESCENT

The path zigzags down. With some luck, marmots and lizards can be seen here. After about fifteen minutes of descent, you reach today’s last rock field. Here the path is clearly marked with red and white marks. At the end of the rock field, you reach the standard path to Kaunergrat hut. Now you follow the stream down past Plangeross Alm. You cross the stream several times before descending quickly in switchbacks past a waterfall into the valley. After a short break at the waterfall, you reach the forest road which brings you back to the valley. In the valley, turn right just before the bridge and follow the road to the next bridge. There you cross the main road and continue on the forest path. At the next signpost, follow the sign labeled "Talabschuss Trail." On this trail, it goes comfortably back to the valley station of the Riffelseebahn.