Gumpenkarspitze as a Circular Hike

We set out from the Hotel Ammerwald, follow the Schützensteig trail to the Schützensteigsattel (where the Jägerhütte is located), and continue toward the Niederstraußbergsattel to the Ochsenängerle. Just before the trail turns toward the Kohlebach, the path to the Roggentalgabel branches off to the right. We climb in switchbacks to the saddle between Hochplatte and Hochblasse. From the saddle, it’s a 10-minute walk to the Fensterl and down through the right-hand opening into the Gumpenkar. At the fork where our trail meets the path descending from the Gabelschrofensattel, we climb off-trail up well-stepped steep grassy slopes past a rocky outcrop toward the Gumpenkarspitze. We go around the boulder on the left and head up to the right toward a grassy ridge that leads into a moderately steep slope. Follow the footpaths and the natural terrain features to the lower grassy ridge, then continue to the right-hand corner of the rock face and past the Grasschrofen to the uppermost transverse ridge. On the summit side, the route transitions into a rocky ridge requiring easy climbing to the first ledge. In a right-hand bend, cross the final ridge to the summit cross. On the descent, return exactly along the ascent route to the lowest grassy ledge, then turn left onto a wide grassy ledge toward the trail leading to the Geiselsteinjoch. Here, we descend to the left and follow a scree gully to the right of it, descending through well-stepped grass to the hiking trail leading up to the pass. From the Geiselsteinjoch, follow the trail toward Wankenfleck and, via many short switchbacks, reach the cross-trail that leads left to Wankenfleck and right to the Prinzregentensteig (for experienced hikers only, approx. 1.5 h) Bypass the Gabelschrofen Saddle to reach the Niederstraußberg Saddle and continue on to the Jägerhütte. Finally, take the Schützensteig back to the Hotel Ammerwald parking lot.