Grand Kaiserau Summit Tour

From Kaiserau Castle, we set off on an impressive circular tour through the Gesäuse mountains. Between gentle alpine pastures and rugged peaks, we can expect fantastic views, alpine challenges, and tranquil nature. The route offers everything—from leisurely hikes to airy ridge passages for those with a head for heights..

The Kaiserau is a historic high valley that today serves as a starting point for a variety of mountain tours. Cheese was already being produced here in the Middle Ages, and later the castle served as a hunting lodge for high-ranking guests. We start our tour at the castle and climb via the Wagenbänkalm to the Lahngangkogel – a summit with great views that is also suitable for families. After a rest at the Klinkehütte, the alpine part of the tour begins: the Admonter Kalbling is relatively easy to reach, but the crossing to the Sparafeld requires sure-footedness. The route over the Riffel and Kreuzkogel is challenging – a head for heights and alpine experience are required here. The descent to the Scheiblegger Hochalm brings us back to gentler terrain. Those who still have energy can climb the Hahnstein – a short but steep summit with a secured final section. Passing the “3 Mönchen” (3 monks), we return to the Kaiserau.

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

18,0 km

Route

9:30 h

Time

1662 hm

Uphill

1652 hm

Downhill

2239 m

Highest point

Map & downloads

Download GPX data

Download KML data

More information

Via the mountain road Admont - Kaiserau or Trieben/ Rottenmann - Kaiserau.

We start at the parking lot at Kaiserau Castle and follow the marked hiking trail via the Wagenbänkalm to the Lahngangkogel (1,778 m). This section is easy and offers magnificent views over the Paltental valley to the Dachstein. We continue to the Klinkehütte, where we can take a break. From here, the terrain becomes more alpine. We climb the Admonter Kalbling, which can be reached in about two hours.

The transition to Sparafeld takes us through rugged rocky landscape with impressive views down into the depths – sure-footedness is required here. The most challenging part follows over the Riffel to Kreuzkogel: an airy ridge that requires alpine experience and a head for heights. From the Kreuzkogel, we descend to the Scheiblegger Hochalm, where the terrain becomes gentler again.

Those who still want to conquer the Hahnstein must once again concentrate fully: the last few meters to the summit lead up a steep rock face via metal brackets. The way back takes us over the Scheiblegger Hochalm, past the striking “3 Mönchen” (3 monks), back to the starting point on the Kaiserau.

Spending a night at the Klinkehütte and not managing everything in one day!

www.oebb.at

www.busbahnbim.at

With the Verbundlinie BusBahnBim app, finding timetable information has never been easier: all bus, train, and tram connections in Austria can be searched for by entering locations and/or addresses, stops, or important points. The app is available as a free app for smartphones (Android, iOS) on Google Play and in the App Store.

In the Gesäuse you are mobile in summer even without your own car. One call to t: +43 3613 2100099 is all it takes: During operating hours, the Gesäuse shared taxi will take you to any destination in the Gesäuse - without any timetable or stops.
www.gesaeuse.at/mobil

Large car park on the Kaiserau

Gesäuse Tourism Association

Hauptstraße 35, 8911 Admont, Austria
t: +43 3613 2116010
Email: info@gesaeuse.at
www.gesaeuse.at