Hike to Seekoppe via Steinkarsee and Hochgrößen

Starting from the parking lot at the Oppenberg sports ground, we follow the paved road downstream along the Golling. After about 1 km, the forest road begins on the left, leading up to Hochgrößen and Steinkarsee. This is followed for about 5.5 km. The right turn up to the path can be easily missed; special attention must be paid to the red-white-red markings here.

The following ascent to the Tröschmitzhütte is steep and has some high steps. Here you face a choice: either climb directly up to Hochgrößen or continue to Steinkarsee. We chose Steinkarsee to take our first rest there. The raised bog is definitely worth the detour!

From Steinkarsee up to Hochgrößen, the trail markings are already very weathered or partly missing, which makes the ascent difficult and requires careful observation and checking. Sure-footedness is required for the ascent. In some places, you have to walk tightly around rocks, where there is a risk of falling.

As soon as the ridge before Hochgrößen is reached, a wonderful panoramic view opens up of the Dachstein, the Tote Gebirge, the Rottenmanner Tauern, Niedere Tauern, etc.

From here, you follow the ridge again along good markings to Hochgrößen and further to Seekoppe. The path there is only hindered by a few steeper ascents. Seekoppe is the highest point of this route and offers a wonderful view of Riednersee with its crystal-clear blue water.

From here the descent back to Oppenberg begins, first past Riednersee with its outflow, the Riednerbach. This is followed and crossed several times. Its rushing is a long-time companion down the valley along hiking trail 940. During the descent, you also pass the Gewürzalm hut; we could not find out the opening times.

Shortly after the Gewürzalm hut, hiking trail 940 was rerouted contrary to the hiking maps but is well described.

The descent ends at the road in the valley; from there it is about 2 km to the starting point at the sports ground.