Herzog-Ernst-Spitze 2933m from Bodenhaus

Ascent:

Start from the Bodenhaus parking lot (1,230m). If open, you can continue on the toll road to the large Lenzanger hiking parking lot (1,550m).

Ascend either on the access road or parallel to it on the left through the forest to the Sonnblickbasis - Naturfreundehaus Kolm-Saigurn. Behind it to the left begins the classic ascent to Sonnblick heading towards the Naturfreundehaus - Neubau. This follows the wooded steep section, past the Barbarafall waterfall, and then continues through a slanted gully to a flattening. Here continue to the right and ascend further over another gully towards the Radhaus ruins.

Shortly after the ruins, there are two ascents to the Fraganterscharte:

1.) To the left leads the summer route over a rocky ridge called Hoher Goldberg, first steeper, then with a pleasant incline up to below the summit cliffs. Here, you now cross over medium-steep wide slopes clearly above the rock faces to the right (south) and ascend in a large left curve eastwards to the Fraganterscharte (NOT recommended in poor visibility due to small rockfalls).

2.) Towards the Knappenhaus ruins, then the rocky ridge (Hoher Goldberg) is crossed first flatly and then slightly downhill, descending into a large flat basin. Straight ahead continues towards the Sonnblick ascent, but if you turn left, you will see a large steep gully, the winter gully. This gully is targeted; a first steep slope leads into the tiered broad gully, which is left shortly before its upper steep end via a steep slope to the left. A few meters higher is the Fraganterscharte.

The summit ascent can now be taken either on the broad and steep southern ridge or, in stable snow conditions, over the quite steep southwest flank. The summit is marked with a signpost and a nameplate. Depending on snow conditions/surface and track setup, crampons can be useful for the last meters. For example, we had to take them off in the middle and walk because the summit slope was 75% an ice sheet.

Descent:

Descent along the ascent routes either via the summer route (nice open slopes) or via the winter gully (medium-steep broad gully).

Alternative descent (not on the GPS track): A steep descent directly from the summit into the Bräuwinkel with an uphill section to the Riffelscharte with the Niedersachsenhaus. Then descent down a steep flank to Kolm-Saigurn.