BergeSeen Trail 09: Hintersee - Postalm

The 9th stage of the Salzkammergut BergeSeen Trail leads through the Osterhorn group, a particularly interesting area of the Salzburg Limestone Prealps. Its highest peaks – Egelseehörndl (1,782 m), Gennerhorn (1,735 m), Hoher Zinken (1,764 m) and the Osterhorn (1,746 m) – bear their "jagged" names for good reason: The limestone layers that form them are notable for their distinctive, almost horizontal bedding. In the middle, erosion has created massive rock basins that resemble oversized circus arenas. Between the mountains, wide alpine meadows also spread out, giving the mountain group a very friendly character. The 42 km² large Postalm at its northeastern edge is counted among the largest high pastures in the Alps. This alpine paradise, located at around 1,300 m altitude, is the destination of today's route.

From the church in Hintersee, walk briefly downstream and over the Ladenbach bridge. Immediately turn left towards Taugl, then right along the creek, cross the water at the next bridge and keep right towards the forester's lodge. From there, follow a beautiful hiking path via Unterzagl back to the road, which then turns left to the district of Lämmerbach (801 m) and to the parking lot at the start of the toll road to Genneralm. 1:00 h

From the parking lot, hike up on the gravel toll road to the Genneralm – some of its switchbacks can be shortened on a path. Where the forest finally clears between the Gennerhorn and the rocky summit of Holzeck and alpine meadows emerge, you reach the Hinterhütte and Reithütte on the right as well as the Poschn'hütte on the Genneralm (1,295 m) on the left. 1:30 h

Now proceed on the alpine road toward "Hoher Zinken, Pitscherberg, Postalm" (No. 840), passing south of Holzeck and shortly descending into a saddle. Here begins the initially quite rocky path up to Hoher Zinken, which first climbs through steep forest slopes. Finally, you reach the summit cross on the surprisingly large summit of the Hoher Zinken (1,764 m) via a grassy slope. Magnificent view of the neighboring peaks of the Osterhorn group. Also in the panorama: Schafberg, Schober, Berchtesgadener Alps (Hoher Göll, Untersberg), Tennengebirge, Gosaukamm and Dachstein (Gosau Glacier), Gamsfeld, Retten- and Bergwerkskogel. Deep view down to Hintersee and – a few steps further east – also to St. Wolfgang. 2:00 h

From the eastern edge of the summit, the path leads over a grassy slope and between dwarf pines down into the wide Osterhorn saddle (1,707 m). From there, the 10-minute detour left to the adjacent Osterhorn (1,746 m), the scenic "name patron" of the mountain group, is worthwhile. The route No. 840 toward "Pitscherberg, Postalm" goes right down onto an alpine meadow (1,490 m). Continue through sparse woodland and – at a junction, stay left on the marked route – climb through the partly very steep, but somewhat forested southwest flank of the Pitscherberg (1,720 m). The summit cross stands a few steps left above the path.

The descent follows the now better-trodden path over the steep southeast slope (hunting stand) to a small plateau with some doline sinks and charming larches, where you cross a forest road. Below this, you reach the managed Pitscherbergalm (1,449 m). Continue briefly on the forest road and then left through the forest down to the wide meadow of Labenbergalm. Straight ahead is a short detour to the managed Lienbachhütte (1,431 m) at the foot of Labenberg (1,642 m). The Salzkammergut Trail, however, continues left on No. 840 over a 2 km long, partly open and partly forested ridge to the Postalm (1,346 m). 3:00 h

At its western edge, the cozy wooden Huberhütte welcomes you. Further accommodation options can be reached by going 800 m to parking lot 3 and from there right – past the Strobler Hütte – to the Postalm toll road (Alpine inn Zur Blonde Hütte, Welser Hütte, Lienbachhof). Turning left from parking lot 3, you reach the Schafbergblick, Wiesler, and Erlbach huts (about 30 minutes each).

• In alpine terrain, be aware of the danger of falling rocks.


• Until early summer, you may encounter steep snowfields or firn gullies – especially when iced over, there is acute risk of falling and thus danger to life!


• Due to storm damage, forestry work or construction, individual trail sections can be temporarily difficult or impossible to pass.


• Cows on the alpine pastures are often curious. Due to mother cow husbandry, they develop a strong instinct to protect their calves. Therefore, move calmly on cow pastures, keep at least 20 m distance from the animals and never pet calves! In case of threatening behavior (scratching, stomping), slowly walk backwards (do not turn your back). Dogs must be on a leash; they are not allowed to bark at or chase cows. In case of an attack, they must be let off the leash immediately.

For all stages you need hiking or mountain shoes with profiled rubber soles as well as wind- and waterproof clothing.

Spare clothes for changing and a small first aid kit should also be in the backpack. How much provisions you pack depends on the number of refreshment opportunities. In any case, you should take enough to drink. Telescopic poles are especially helpful when walking downhill.

Courtesy of the text provided by the KOMPASS publishing house and Wolfgang Heitzmann.

Further information at trail.salzkammergut.at