BergeSeen Trail D3: Hofpürglhütte - Adamekhütte

The Linzer Steig, opened in 1905 by the Linz section of the Alpine Club, is the most difficult section of the alpine variant through the Dachstein mountains.

It leads to the forefield of the Kleine Gosau Glacier, nestled beneath the 2,948 m high Torstein, the mightiest of all Dachstein satellites. The intricate route is well secured in several places with iron pins and

steel cables – for example, in the Reißgangsattel or on the rugged rock ledge of the Torsteineck. The greatest surprise, however, is the 2,480 m high Eiskarlspitz. Just after crossing the Upper Hochkesseleck, it rises like a rock rocket from the scree – and only when passing by does it reveal itself as a multi-peaked rock ridge.

From the Hofpürglhütte, follow markings 614/617 into the debris-filled "Kessel" below the Bischofsmütze, where the route branches off to Steiglpass.

Straight ahead and at the foot of the Gosaustein over the "Red Gully" and a small rise to the east, towards the Torstein. High above the Filzmooser Hofalm, you reach the flat, green grounds of the Rinderfeld (1,669 m). Between rock blocks, the Linzer Steig branches off to the left there. It leads up into the Reißgang Gorge (danger of falling rocks!). Through the right, partly stepped and partly slabby rock face (with securing), you reach the Reißgangsattel (1,952 m). Keeping right and going upwards in switchbacks, then left around an edge (steel cable) and past the rock basin of the Lower Hochkessel over slabs into the wide notch between the Reißgangkogel (2,015 m) and the Hochkesseleck. Shortly afterwards, left onto an airy ledge (steel cable) that leads through a rock wall to the ridge of the Lower Hochkesseleck (2,208 m). Continue briefly on the ridge, then along a partially stacked trail through a rock step beside the Upper Hochkessel, over secured rock slabs and in switchbacks up to the High Hochkesseleck (2,260 m). Beyond it, traverse diagonally through the north flank of the massive Hochkesselkopf into the cirque below the Eiskarlspitz (there is a large rock block in the middle). From there, you walk fairly level over karst fields, scree, and mostly snow patches to a rock step, down which you descend aided by iron pins and steel cables.

Continue through the cirque to the junction towards Windlegerscharte and a bit left below the Kleine Gosau Glacier. The rock formation under the Torsteineck (2,256 m) is climbed using iron pins and steel cables, then you walk through slabby rock terrain around the Hohe Schneebergwand and to the moraine ridge below the Große Gosau Glacier. Left down, over steep, ice-smoothed rock and scree to the long-visible Adamekhütte (2,196 m). There, you meet the alpine variant coming up from the Gosau lakes. 5:30 h

• In alpine terrain, beware of the danger from falling rocks.


• Until early summer, you may encounter steep snowfields or firn grooves – especially when icy, these pose acute risk of falling and thus threat to life!


• Due to storm damage, forestry work, or construction activities, some path sections may temporarily be difficult or impossible to pass.


• Cows on the alpine pasture are often curious. Due to mother cow husbandry, they develop a strong instinct to protect their calves. So move calmly on cow pastures, keep at least 20 m distance from the animals, and do not pet calves! In case of threatening behavior (scratching, stamping), slowly walk backwards (do not turn your back). Keep dogs on a leash; they must not bark at or chase cows. If attacked, you must immediately let them off the leash.

For all stages, you need hiking or mountaineering boots with profiled rubber soles as well as wind- and rainproof clothing.

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

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

More information at trail.salzkammergut.at