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recommended route
Mountain Hike
· Traunsee-Almtal
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Feuerkogel (1,592 m) and Helmeskogel (1,633 m) from Miesenbachmühle via the Kaiserweg
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Where a forest road meets the valley road and a few yellow signposts stand, the route begins.Photo: Gerhard Greifeneder, Alpenverein Schwanenstadt
Just before the private hut, signposts show right ("Kaiserweg"). Initially still level through partly ancient tree stands to the terrain edge. From here, it becomes significantly more demanding. First over steep, rocky terrain, then a steeper, rope-secured descent into the "Breiten Lahngang" and now a long, steady traverse through the entire cirque to the route book. Small altitude gain.
Now finally steeper again through a small gravel cirque uphill to the Höllengebirge plateau and in a large curve to the Helmeskogel (1,633 m), whose summit cross we have seen for quite some time. The last part together with the hiking trail that leads over from the Feuerkogel.
Descend from the summit and either take the path that passes to the left of the Steinkogel to the Feuerkogel (1,592 m) or the one to the right ("Karst and Dolines Hiking Trail") to the cable car mountain station.
Descent is generally possible the same way as ascent but not recommended. It is more sensible to choose the much more comfortable and shorter path through the Mühlleitengraben for the descent. This leads directly back to the starting point.
Author’s recommendation
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
The forest road from the starting point is marked only at a single point. However, the signposts are clear, and you should not be tempted to leave the forest road prematurely.The ascent is exposed to the sun and is therefore not recommended on very hot days.
Tips and suggestions
Almost at the end of the "Kaiserweg" is a route book and a small place of worship niche.You can also start the tour in Langwies. From there, you reach the described route exactly where you leave the forest road. However, this ascent has the disadvantage that it is not as convenient to return to the starting point.
Roadbook
We start where a forest road meets the valley road at the edge of the village Miesenbachmühle (several signposts). We walk uphill on this forest road until we reach a road junction (two yellow signposts). Here we keep left (direction "Rieder Hut") and walk uphill for quite a while, passing a hunting hut (Grasbergstube) and after about an hour of walking we arrive at brand-new signposts (as of 2019).
Here we leave the road and climb up through numerous but very well-designed switchbacks through mixed forest to the Vorderen Spitzalm (1,381 m). A particularly beautiful, quiet spot. Caution: Just before the actual alpine hut, the so-called "Kaiserweg" branches off to the right.
We now follow this path through partly ancient tree stands until we reach a distinct terrain edge. From here the terrain becomes much more demanding. First we cross rather steep, rocky terrain and then follow a steep descent secured with ropes into the "Breiten Lahngang" (by the way, a great ski tour in very safe conditions),
Now we are in the huge cirque, which we cross in its full width. A constant gentle up and down through karst terrain. Technically not particularly difficult, but still challenging. At the other end of the cirque we finally reach the metal box with the route book and the adjacent place of worship in a rock niche.
From here it goes through a gravelly, small cirque up to the plateau of the Höllengebirge. This is where the greatest effort is over. After a traverse through dwarf pines, you reach the broad hiking trail that leads from the Feuerkogel to the Helmeskogel. On this trail it takes 15 minutes to reach the 1,633 m high Helmeskogel with magnificent views, a summit cross visible from afar, and a viewing platform.
Return to the junction and take one of the two paths over to the already visible Feuerkogel (1,592 m). You can go either left or right ("Karst and Dolines Hiking Trail") past the 1,644 m high Steinkogel.
The best descent to the starting point is through the Mühlleitengraben. Description can be found here.
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
For this tour, traveling by train is recommended. The Attnang-Puchheim - Stainach-Irdning railway line (Salzkammergut railway) brings the hiker to Steinkogl station. From here, it is only about 0.9 km to the starting point. From the station, cross the bridge over the Traun and then continue left on the valley road to the starting point.Directions
Those arriving by car, for example, drive from the Laakirchen-West (Steyrermühl) motorway exit to Gmunden and continue on the Salzkammergut federal road to Ebensee. Ebensee is also easily accessible by road from other directions. From the center of Ebensee, always drive on the right side of the Traun to the starting point.Parking
There are only very few parking spaces at the starting point. They are free of charge.Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Author’s map recommendations
Book recommendations for this region:
Equipment
Standard mountain hiking equipment is sufficient. Good footwear is essential due to the rocky ascent through karst terrain.Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
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