Salzburger Almenweg - Stage 02: Arthurhaus – Dienten

They are ancient legends that have been told in SalzburgerLand for generations: One of them tells of the extravagant dairy farmers on the Hochkönig alpine pastures. They are said to have bathed in milk out of arrogance and wealth and paved the paths with wheels of cheese. But when they were once asked for help, they refused the needy. As punishment, the lush pastures were covered by the eternal ice of the glacier. Today, hardly anything remains of this glacier high above the Hochkönig: nature has once again proven its strength. On this hike, you become aware of the beauty at the foot of the Hochkönig: the wealth consists of great panoramas and the small plants along the path. Among the real “postcard motifs” are the “Four Huts” and the Hochkönig south wall. We also have a genuine insider tip for you: the “Riedinger Waterfalls” on the Mühlbach Höhenweg and, of course, the Hochkönig herb pastures.

Alpine path history

Mühlbach am Hochkönig was already a mining village in prehistoric times. During the Bronze Age, the local copper deposits were considered the largest in the Eastern Alps. Mining took place on the Mitteralpe near the Arthurhaus. This hut owes its name, as does the Arthur adit near St. Johann, to the industrialist Arthur Krupp. Mining was discontinued only in 1977. Anyone who wants to learn more about the ore deposits in the region is recommended to visit the mining museum with adits in Mühlbach am Hochkönig and the exhibition “Ore of the Alps UNESCO Global Geopark” in Bischofshofen. www.museum-hochkoenig.com www.geopark-erzderalpen.at

Alpine path summit tour

The Hochkönig is a high alpine mountain and climbing experience. Directly at the summit at 2,941 meters is the Matrashaus, where overnight stays are possible only by reservation. The widely visible “gate column” with its climbing routes of different difficulties is considered a climbing paradise in rugged limestone. The “Königsjodler” via ferrata is with 1,700 meters one of the longest of its kind in SalzburgerLand. It runs at an impressive altitude between 2,380 and 2,880 meters.

Alpine path refreshment

4-star chef Vitus Winkler from St. Veit has created special dishes together with the herb pastures at Hochkönig such as “Almwiese”, “Opfibam” or “Spring awakening at Hochkönig”.

Paula Bründl has created special dishes together with the herb pastures at Hochkönig based on the variety of herbs found in the Hochkönig region.

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14,33 km

05:00 h

254 m

Path Conditions

Today's route is a true pleasure route, as it runs almost constantly at the same altitude along the southern flank of the Hochkönig and offers a dreamy close and distant view of the steep rocky southern walls of the Hochkönig as well as the impressive three-thousanders of the Hohe Tauern. The start of the day's stage is the Arthurhaus: directly above the hotel parking lot, the Mühlbach Höhenweg (trail no. 436/401A) leads westward.

Along the path, numerous mountain huts invite you to stop: after about 30 minutes of walking, the managed Windraucheggalm is reached with a slight descent, shortly followed by the beautifully situated summer pasture hut Riedingalm, which lies a bit below the path.

The alpine path leads through the picturesque Riedingtal and crosses the dry bed of the Schrammbach stream. A short ascent follows before the next certified summer pasture hut, the Brandstätthütte, is reached. Then follows a longer section without direct refreshment options: to get to Stegmoosalm, a small detour over trail no. 90 would have to be taken – the Salzburger Almenweg continues more or less at the same altitude westward (trail no. 401A) and the branching hiking paths down into the valley are ignored.

After about 4 hours of walking, the Erichhütte offers a welcome opportunity to rest before heading to the stage destination Dienten. From the Erichhütte, trail no. 436/401A leads downhill to a fork – here you turn left along trail no. 66 to Riedlgut. Now again left following trail no. 65, across meadows past Schnegghof, Höflgut, and Priesterhöfl to the federal road. Follow this about 100 meters downhill before turning right again then left downhill (trail no. 65) directly to Dienten.

Refreshment (E) and overnight accommodation (Ü)

Arthurhaus (1,500 m), (at stage start) mid-May to end of October, Tel. +43 6467 7202 E/Ü

Schweizerhütte (1,502 m), (at stage start) mid-May to end of October (Wed–Sun), Tel. +43 6467 7202 summer pasture hut / E

Windraucheggalm (1,460 m), (after approx. 30 minutes walking) early June to end of October, Tel. +43 664 4322763

Riedingalm (1,370 m), (after approx. 1 hour walking) end of May to early October, Tel. +43 664 9163642 summer pasture hut / E

Schartenhütte (1,530 m), (after approx. 1 hour walking) early June to end of September, Tel. +43 664 1398928 Ü

Molterhütte (1,520 m), (after approx. 1 hour walking), Tel. +43 664 1839100 E

Brandstätthütte (1,542 m), (after approx. 1 hour walking) early June to mid-October, Tel. +43 2743726 summer pasture hut / E

Stegmoosalm (1,441 m), (after approx. 2 hours walking – small detour) early June to early October, Tel. +43 664 5108546 E

Dientalm (1,400 m), (after 3 hours – small detour/alternative descent option of 30 minutes from km 10 on trail no. 91 to Dientalm) Tel. +43 64677919 E / Ü

Erichhütte (1,545 m), (after approx. 4 hours walking) mid-May to end of October, Tel. +43 664 2643553 E / Ü

Numerous refreshment and accommodation options in Dienten (after approx. 5 hours), www.hochkoenig.at

Salzburger Almenweg Info and booking center partner by Trail Angels:
Hotel Hochkönig, more information at: https://www.hotel-hochkoenig.at/, Tel. +43 664 1832791