Via the Kaltenbachseen to the Deneck

Steep paths, beautiful lakes and a full-blooded peak – intermediate-level alpine tours don’t get any more fun than this.

This attractive mountain tour is also a highly recommended family hike, as it can also be done in stages.

Above the Kaltenbachalm, at the sharp bend in the road, there is a small parking lot. From there, the trail leads over the stream and then in many serpentines up to the first Kaltenbachsee lake. Past the Lower Kaltenbachsee and on to the Middle Kaltenbachsee. Only slightly steeper uphill to the Upper Kaltenbachsee and over the Etrachboden and the Schafspitze to the Deneck. When the alpine roses are in bloom, the slopes are a sea of flowers, and the yellow gentian can also be found here.

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

Best season

January

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

The tour in numbers

medium

Level of difficulty

7,5 km

Route

5:30 h

Time

850 hm

Uphill

850 hm

Downhill

2433 m

Highest point

Map & downloads

Download GPX data

Download KML data

More information

Branch off from the Ennstalbundesstraße B320 at Pruggern to Sölktäler. From Stein an der Enns to the Großsölktal and further to St. Nikolai. From there across the Sölkpass to the Kaltenbach Alm.

From the Kaltenbachalm parking lot, you hike along serpentines to the first Kaltenbachsee lake and on to the middle Kaltenbachsee lake. Above the tree line, the trail leads over a long slope up to the Upper Kaltenbachsee. This lake already has a distinctly alpine character, but is a wonderful place to linger.

However, the next destinations are no less attractive: on the left bank, the trail climbs steeply over a rocky spur into a small cirque. A gushing stream is the next point of reference, as the trail leads over a short but steep rocky shoulder up to the Etrachböden. This is a gently structured, wide plateau with a magnificent panoramic view of the Tauern peaks. The view down to the lakes and the striking hairpin bends of the Sölkpass road is impressive and clearly shows the difference in altitude that has already been overcome. Up here, it's easy to keep up; small streams cut through the meadows, which are divided by gentle crests.

Summit conquerors follow the trail to the right-hand ridge, descend briefly into a depression, cross rugged terrain (marked) and ascend on the south-west side to the large summit cross.

Return along the same path. Sticks are certainly an advantage on this hike - be careful in wet conditions.

SummitLynx- Your digital summit and hut book - available worldwide and always with you!

Arrival at Stein/Enns train station with ÖBB.
Cab Stefan Mayer: +43 676 54 09 858

Valley bus from July 5 to September 7, 2025 - this makes crossings in the Sölktäler Nature Park possible. You can also travel comfortably by train and the valley bus will take you to the starting point of your hike. Click here for the timetable.

Kaltenbach Alm

Mountain guides from the region: www.schladming-dachstein.at/mountainguides

For more information, please contact the Schladming Dachstein Tourist Office - Sölktäler Nature Park Information Center:
Phone: +43 3687 23310 501
mailto:info@schladming-dachstein.at
Stein an der Enns 107
8961 Sölk

The brochure “Schladming-Dachstein Hiking” is available in all information offices in the region.