Großer Buchstein Crossing

Challenging traverse of the Großer Buchstein from the National Park Pavilion in Gstatterboden via the Buchsteinhaus to Eisenzieher – featuring alpine terrain, stunning views, and the option to overnight at the hut.

This tour is one of the most impressive traverses in the Gesäuse. From the valley floor in Gstatterboden, we ascend via the Rauchbodenweg and trail no. 641 to the Buchsteinhaus at 1,546 m. The hut offers a spectacular view of the Hochtor range from its panoramic terrace – especially magical at sunset. For those wishing to split the tour over two days, the hut provides comfortable overnight accommodation.

The summit can be reached via the Westschlucht (normal route), the Wengerweg (easy climbing, only for experienced hikers), or the Südwand-Klettersteig (A/B). All routes lead to the 2,224 m summit of the Großer Buchstein, which rewards us with sweeping views of the Gesäuse and the Enns Valley. The descent via the northern side to Eisenzieher is steep and crosses loose scree – alpine experience and surefootedness are essential.

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

The tour in numbers

challenging

Level of difficulty

16,0 km

Route

11:00 h

Time

1686 hm

Uphill

1673 hm

Downhill

2198 m

Highest point

Map & downloads

Download GPX data

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More information

B 146 Gesäuse-Bundesstraße aus Richtung Admont oder Hieflau bis Gstatterboden

We begin at the National Park Pavilion in Gstatterboden and follow the Rauchbodenweg, enjoying views of the Enns River and the Hochtor range. After about 30 minutes, trail no. 641 branches off to the Buchsteinhaus. Starting on forest roads, the path narrows into woodland trails, leading through beech forest and over several ridges to the Brucksattel. From there, we ascend in 20 switchbacks to the hut.

After a rest, we continue toward the summit. The entry to the Südwand-Klettersteig (A/B) lies about an hour above the hut. Alternatively, we follow the Wengerweg (only for experienced hikers) or the normal route through the Westschlucht – a steep ascent through scree and rock that leads to a high plateau. From there, it’s just a short walk to the summit.

The descent follows the northern route to Eisenzieher/St. Gallen. The trail is steep and covered in loose scree, requiring alpine experience. To avoid a long return, it’s advisable to park a second car in Eisenzieher.

At the starting point Gstatterboden visit the National Park Pavilion with the exhibition " Planspitze - the mountain of contrasts" and restaurant

Postbus Line 912 Haltestelle Bahnhof Gstatterboden (www.busbahnbim.at) on SA and SO also by Train to Haltestelle Gstatterboden (www.oebb.at)

Parking at Gstatterboden railway station or at the Gstatterboden National Park Pavilion

Gesäuse Tourism Association
Hauptstraße 35, 8911 Admont, Austria
t: +43 3613 2116010
info@gesaeuse.at

www.gesaeuse.at

www.nationalpark.co.at