High Kalmberg

Description:
From the beautiful and truly authentic Bad Goisern, not far from the Hallstätter See, there is a trail running loop that is considered by the locals as one of the best options. The high Kalmberg. This variant offers a nice crossing of the mountain range counterclockwise with a subsequent summit ridge. Scenic and beautiful, ambitious trail runners can enjoy not only the ascent but also a flowing downhill.Directions:

The start is at the train station in Bad Goisern. You follow the Perndanner Promenade, then turn right and cross a bridge over the Traun. Here you already meet the marked hiking trail. Soon you go along the “Bachgraben” on a street gently ascending uphill. Afterwards you pass through the small village of “Steinach”. At the end of this begins the trail through the forest.

You immediately pass an old sign with the inscription “Jochwand”. Here you can also take the marked path through the forest to the right, or just continue straight on the same path; both lead back together shortly after.

The single trail in the forest is also wonderful for running if you have the right calves. At the next junction it is important to turn left slightly downhill onto the street, which you then follow to the Hochmut parking lot. Here the path becomes a bit steeper, and those who like can pull out their poles. The trail continues through the forest for a while, sometimes a bit steeper, before the trees thin out and reveal a view of Bad Goisern and the surrounding mountains. The ridge you will follow afterwards also becomes visible for the first time. But before that, you cross a few sunny slopes and then go through small groups of trees before arriving at a lovely alpine meadow briskly.

Please be sure to enjoy the magnificent views of the Gosaukamm, the Katerberge, and of course the Dachstein! With renewed energy, you can then run the extremely rewarding trail quickly to the Goiserer hut.

Or shortly before that, turn off to first master the last ascent over the magnificent ridge before eventually entering the hut. Here it becomes a bit rockier, and you can see the coveted summit always quite near. Once you have finally arrived there, the runner will be rewarded with a great “panorama” including the entire Goiserer ridge, a challenge for experienced and ambitious runners, so not to be underestimated.

The summit of Kalmberg indeed looks, as described on a display board there, from below like the side profile of an “Indian”.

Whoever has seen enough of the panorama can now return the same way and also take care of their nourishment at the hut. For the downhill back to Bad Goisern there is a great option via path 880. The trail follows in short switchbacks, quite “flowing” but quite rocky downhill. A few times you cross the low-hanging cables of the material cable car. The trail runs into the bottom of a ravine and here leads over a short section of root trail in the forest to the forest road. This leads us straight back to the start.

Safety guidelines:
Long extensive route, requires plenty of water and stable weather.Equipment:
Weatherproof clothing and good footwear