Grossglockner

created: Mon, 06 Jan 2025 00:22:32 GMT

A 4-day hike in Hohe Tauern mountain range, with attempt to summit the highest mountain in Austria, Grossglockner.

Day 1, 9.08, Fri

Pretty much as planned, despite we arrived a bit late, so I hit the trail at ~16:00, which seems to be a bit rough timing, given the sunset at 20:30, but I've managed to reach the hut at ~20:00, with the Hornscharte pass being the most challenging part of the route, otherwise nice and easy.

On the way to the destination we decided to go via Großglockner Hochalpenstraße, which is the highest paved road in Austria going up to ~2500m ASL, and the entrance costs €43 per car. Unfortunately we didn't stop there, due to the lack of time, and it was raining on the way back, so tough luck.

Day 2, 10.08, Sat

I've been in the hut twice, first on my way up to Adlersruhe, and they gave me two glasses of water for free, which was a pleasant surprise. Arrived at Adlersruhe at ~15:00, which was a bit late for the ascent to Grossglockner, considering the way back to Glorer Hütte. Also, people there seems to be equipped very differently (big crampons, mountain boots, ropes, and harnesses), so I decided not to risk it.

Day 3, 11.08, Sun

The hike back to the hut with detour to Böses Weibl and camping at the shore of unnamed lake.

All of a sudden had pain in both knees, but on different sides, so decided to make it an easy day. Camped on the shore of the small lake for a few hours, tried my poncho as a makeshift tent, which worked really well. Probably I should carry some sticks and lines with it, not so much weight added. Also, having an anti-inflammatory gel and knee brace would be good too, just in case.

Day 4, 12.08, Mon

Despite the previous day knee pain experience, everything was good, hiked as planned passing by Adolf-Noßberger-Hütte, where they refused to let me sit without ordering, seems like a touristy destination for money making, with lake activities like canoeing.

Then I went to Wangenitzseehütte via Hohe Gradenscharte pass, and down the valley to a parking lot, the valley route is really nice, with alpine nature at its best, and streams and side waterfalls all the way down.

The parking lot is easily accessible, and seems to be the starting point for the hiking route to Wangenitzsee.

Planned

Day 1

Day 2

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Day 3

Day 4

Backup

Alternative Glorer Hütte:

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Hutte in the region:

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