BergeSeen Trail H1: In der Kreh - Rieder Hut

With the nearly 1,600 m high Feuerkogel, the approximately 17 km long Höllengebirge, which shows impressive north-facing cliff faces of bright, often almost vertically folded Wetterstein limestone, rises above the Traun valley to the east. Those who do not want to take the cable car from Ebensee can find, among others, a very rewarding ascent route from the Langbathtal. This path follows the alpine variant of the Salzkammergut BergeSeen Trail, which then continues over the larch-covered plateau to the Rieder Hut.

From the Kreh parking lot you cross the bridge over the Langbathbach and beyond it follow the forest road to the left – downhill – over another bridge. Immediately afterwards, the signed hiking trail to Feuerkogel branches off to the right (no. 832). Soon you walk again on a forest road next to a ditch and – first turning left, then right – through the forest uphill to a hunting hut. After that, you continue definitively on path no. 832, passing the former Pledialm (beautiful views) and through the wooded slopes of the namesake ridge (1,624 m).

Finally, you walk under the cable car and up to the Feuerkogel (1,592 m). In this area you find the mountain inns Feuerkogel and Edelweiß, the Christophorus hut, and the Kranabeth hut. 3:00 h

Now you march on the wide trail no. 804 westwards, toward the “Rieder Hut”. Past the lifts to Gasselhöhe below the Heumahdgupf, then continue down into the Edl valley on the Haasweg, still marked no. 804. Below the 1,707 m high Alberfeldkogel (which is crowned with the “Europe cross” and can additionally be “taken with” in 30 minutes) and the larch-covered slopes of the Gamskogel, you climb higher through a narrow rock gorge and cross the wide karst slopes above the Große Totengraben, passing a short secured section. Just below Totengrabengupf (which can also be climbed quickly), the route splits: right leads between some peaks directly to the nearby Rieder Hut (1,765 m) of the Alpine Club. 2:00 h

From there, the Große Höllkogel (1,862 m), the highest elevation of the Höllengebirge, and the Eiblgupf (1,813 m) invite you to a detour (each an additional 1:30 h there and back).

Note: Current timetable of the cable car from Ebensee to Feuerkogel

• 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 measures, some trail sections may be temporarily difficult or impossible to pass.


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

For all stages, you need hiking or mountain boots with profile 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 provision you pack depends on the number of places to stop and eat. In any case, you should take enough to drink. Telescopic poles are especially helpful when going downhill.

With kind provision of the text by the KOMPASS publishing house and Wolfgang Heitzmann.

 More information at trail.salzkammergut.at