Hackermauer, Steinerner Jäger, Schieferstein, crossing

See also detailed "time-distance diagram in the photo gallery".              

ASCENT: From the parking lot (550 m) to the farm, then left before it to the forest edge and steeply bypass the rock formation on the right to the sign at about 670 m. Now somewhat flatter on the south side and at about 695 m (wooden sign no longer there, path rerouted) steeply left up to the viewing platform with a magnificent deep view into the Enns valley. A few meters back and left clockwise around the vertical rock and up to the path. Here you can follow the sharp ridge (thorny) to the right until the end (~765 m). Back to the path (750 m) and follow it to the left, starting a beautiful ridge hike with small uphill sections. At 800 m there is a secured spot with a small ladder. We pass the signpost to Gschoad (left) and shortly thereafter (sign ~1053 m) the ascent from the south (Habichlerhof) merges in from the right. Now mostly right (south) of the ridge uphill until suddenly the Steinerne Jäger appears. You reach a small pass and can ascend secured to the beautiful summit cross (1185 m) on the right. Optionally circle clockwise (grade I spot), to the steel cables, to the pass and ascent to the ridge, which quickly leads us to the small Schiefersteinkreuz (1206 m). 750 m elevation gain and 1 3/4 hours brisk or more.

DESCENT: A short way further to the east summit, which also has space on nice days. Now begins the pathless and initially scenic descent along the long east ridge. Soon the trees come, it becomes somewhat exposed in places, one stays as close to the ridge as possible or moves left if it does not continue. Small uphill sections have to be accepted. Individual path traces and very few red dots help further. At a steep spot around 1075 m there are some rungs, or one bypasses on the north side. The easy climbing sections are never more than I-II when dry. Now it becomes easier, we reach a fence at a clearing (~1040 m) and descend left to the nearby forest road at 1000 m. Follow the hairpin bends downhill and after a fork (830 m) straight on, about 20 m uphill. Then 2 signposts to the Schieferstein ascent (830 m). Turn right, over a forest road and follow marked path 467 towards Hackerbauer. At the sign around 755 m Hackerbauer 25' across a meadow to a hunting stand, briefly down in the forest to a forest road and again across a meadow by the edge of the forest to the Schieferstein path (570 m). Left on the paved farm road to the nearby parking lot. 85 m elevation loss and a brisk 2 hours from the summit.

Total: 835 m elevation gain, briskly almost 3 3/4 hours walking time over about 10 km route length.