Queens’ Trail

The “Queens’ Trail” begins with an easy and pleasant walk through the idyllic Aualm to the Sulzkaralm. Even on this first section, it is worth exploring nature attentively, as the first orchid queens can already be discovered along the trail.

Between Aualm and Sulzkaralm, you can find the burnt orchid, also known as the burnt-tip orchid. Its name is very fitting, as the upper, budding flowers appear as if they have been slightly scorched. Various orchid species such as the fox orchid, early marsh orchid, broad-leaved marsh orchid and the man orchid can also be found here. These orchids are often collectively referred to as “knabenkräuter” in local terms. They prefer moist to wet nutrient-poor meadows, spring marshes and damp ditches. In drier areas – on limestone scree slopes, poor grasslands and in pine forests – you may discover the red helleborine, whose 15 to 17 cm long stem can carry up to 40 flowers. Between the dry and wet habitats, you can also find the lesser butterfly orchid and the fragrant orchid. These two species are easily confused, although the fragrance of the fragrant orchid is noticeably sweeter.

After a well-deserved stop at the Sulzkaralm, which is known for its excellent homemade cheese platters, continue your hike. A slightly steeper climb of around 15 minutes takes you up to the Austriaweg trail. From here, the route continues at a steady altitude past the impressive Bischofsmütze peak towards the Hofpürglhütte.

Along the section between Sulzkaralm and Hofpürglhütte, more special orchid treasures await. Here you can find the vanilla orchids (Nigritella). Of the 17 different species, Austria is home to a particularly large number. In the Sulzkaralm area, you can discover rare varieties such as the Erzherzog-Johann vanilla orchid, the Styrian vanilla orchid, the Austrian vanilla orchid and the widespread Rhellicanus vanilla orchid. Their scent is reminiscent of vanilla. Measuring only 5 to 20 cm in height, these small flowers are not always easy to spot among the many other plants and grasses – so keep your eyes open!

The Austriaweg trail offers impressive views of the surrounding mountains. The summit cross of the Bischofsmütze can be seen clearly without binoculars, as can the distinctive area where the major rockfall occurred, which is still clearly visible in the landscape.

From the Hofpürglhütte, the trail leads downhill via the Wastl-Lackner-Steig back to the Hofalmen. This section is also accompanied by the fascinating plant life of the region. With a little luck, you may discover one of the most famous orchids of the Alps: the lady’s slipper orchid (Cypripedium calceolus). Known as the “Queen of the Alps”, it is an impressive plant reaching 30 to 60 cm in height, with flowers up to 5 cm in size. It blooms from May to July and can be found at eight locations directly beside the trail. Its unusual flower acts as a trap for insects, which must leave through a special pollen passage. The lady’s slipper orchid is strictly protected.

All the flowers described belong to the orchid family and are strictly protected. Please admire these unique plants only with your eyes and do not pick them. As the orchids grow directly beside the trail, please remain on the marked hiking paths.

The best time for the “Queens’ Trail” is from June to August – during this period, the orchids display their full diversity and transform the landscape around the Bischofsmütze into a unique natural experience.