Salzburger Almenweg - Stage 07: Schlossalm mountain station - Angertal

Explorers and nature lovers enjoy a varied start to the day in the area around the Hofgasteinerhaus. Unique plateau landscapes, hidden rock formations, the viewing platform "Schlossalmblick," and exciting experience stations such as a motor skills trail with twenty stations await to be discovered and "played on." It is worth planning some time for the family and adventure mountain Schlossalm.

Those who then set off choose the wide service road leading east from the Schlossalm mountain station and soon reach the Naturfreundehaus Hofgasteinerhaus descending. On the continuing path to the Weitmoser Schlossalm through the middle of the Schlossalm ski area, at a fork about 300 m behind the Hofgasteinerhaus, the left path No. 127 is chosen, which as a wide service road leads past the Pinzgauer cattle from the restaurant Weitmoserschlössl in Bad Hofgastein, who spend the summer grazing up here. The Salzburger Almenweg then follows the Kasereben service road, which descends around the Ochsenriedel (at a fork following the straight drive) to a junction above the mountain railway valley stations in the Angertal. Straight ahead, the drive No. 115 leads at a constant height downhill towards the valley, until a hiking trail to the left leads down into the valley floor of the Lafenbach. After crossing the creek, the hiking trail No. 115B leads on the other side of the creek again downstream directly to the stage destination at the valley stations of the mountain railways in the Angertal.

The stage destination also offers hikers a glance into the past. On the Erzwies area, miners once extracted treasures from the ground. For accommodation in summer, the Alpenpension Lackenbauer is recommended, located about 1.4 kilometers downhill. Overnight stays are also possible in Bad Hofgastein.

Variant 7a from Hermann-Kreilinger-Steig and Gadaunerer Hochalm:

Note: the Hermann-Kreilinger-Steig – an old connecting path through the grazing area of the Schloss-Hochalm to the managed Rockfeldalm – is considered a "difficult mountain path" (black dot) and requires surefootedness and a head for heights.

At the start at the Schlossalmbahn mountain station, instead of choosing the eastern service road as on the main route, the western drive is taken. The nearby lake is circled via the east shore, and the valley station of the ski lift leading to the Hohe Scharte is reached through a large cirque. It continues along a drive through the large cirque at a constant height southwards up to the ridge of the Ochsenriedel.  

Here begins the steep and difficult descent via the Hermann-Kreilinger-Steig: it now goes steeply downwards about 200 meters south before reaching the managed Rockfeldalm to the west after crossing the very steep Lafen meadows. The hardest part is now done, and a refreshment at the alm is truly deserved. The view back to the steep Lafen meadows increases respect for the efforts of the mountain farmers who manage these steep slopes.

After a short descent from the Rockfeldalm, the rear valley basin is crossed on a hiking path before the ascent begins on path No. 115 to the Gadauner Hochalm. Even the view from the opposite Rockfeldalm of the idyllic Gadaunerer Hochalm already hints at what awaits hikers there: smoky bacon, delicate butter, and hearty cheese! The high-altitude meadows take hikers back to long past times: countless haylofts line the path and testify to the centuries-old tradition of alpine farming at impressive altitude.

Arriving at the lush mountain meadows of the Gadaunerer Hochalm at around 1,800 meters elevation offers an impressive view of the Türchlwand (2,577 m) and the Sieben Spitz (2,488 m). After about 2.5 hours of walking, it's time to take a break: here, three huts tempt with the finest homemade alpine delicacies and a stunning view towards the valley.

The descent into the Angertal is comfortable via a wide forest road (path No. 115A) through dense spruce forests – a long switchback can be shortened via hiking path No. 115B. Once down, the difficult variant 7a merges with the main route of Stage 7: hikers walk right above the Lafenbach on hiking path No. 115B downstream to the stage destination at the valley stations of the mountain railways in the Angertal.

The stage destination also offers hikers a glimpse into the past. On the Erzwies area, miners once extracted treasures from the ground. For accommodation in summer, the Alpenpension Lackenbauer is recommended, located about 1.4 kilometers downhill. Overnight stays are also possible in Bad Hofgastein.

Refreshment (E) and overnight accommodation (Ü) (main route)

Waldgasthof Angertal (1,180 m), (after about 4.5 hours) open from mid-June to mid-October, closed Mondays - also Tuesday in the low season / T. +43 664 587 81 44 / E

Numerous refreshment and accommodation options in Bad Hofgastein/Angertal, www.gastein.com E / Ü

Salzburger Almenweg Info and Booking Center Logispartner by Trail Angels:  

Hotel Blü, further information at: https://www.hotelblue.at/, T. +43 6432 6230 

Refreshment (E) and overnight accommodation (Ü) (Variant 7a)

Rockfeldalm, (1,822m (after about 1.5 hours) mid-June to end of September / T. +43 664 186 99 34 / E

Präerhütte (1,800 m), (after about 2.5 hours) early July to end of August / T. +43 664 896 76 48 summer alpine hut / E

Feldinghütte (1,800 m), (after about 2.5 hours) mid-June to end of September / T. +43 664 218 42 90 summer alpine hut / E

Waldgasthof Angertal (1,180 m), (after about 4.5 hours) open from mid-June to mid-October, closed Mondays - also Tuesday in the low season / T. +43 664 587 81 44 / E

Numerous refreshment and accommodation options in Bad Hofgastein/Angertal, www.gastein.com E / Ü

Salzburger Almenweg Info and Booking Center Logispartner by Trail Angels:  

Hotel Blü, further information at: https://www.hotelblue.at/, T. +43 6432 6230

Sendlhofer’s, further information at: https://sendlhofers.com/, T. +43 6432 38380

Haus Friedrichsburg, further information at: https://www.haus-friedrichsburg.com/, T. +43 6432 6290

Hotel Alpina – Bad Hofgastein, further information at: https://thermenhotels-gastein.com/de/2/hotel-alpina, T. +43 6432 4875

Hotel Völserhof, further information at: https://www.voelserhof.com/, T. +43 6432 8288

Here you will find everything about the right hiking shoe, the perfect equipment, and the correct walking technique.

To make your day in the mountains truly an unforgettable experience, we offer some tips to ensure you are safe in the mountains.

Bad Hofgastein has an ÖBB train stop and is also well connected to public transport by bus services.

The easiest way to reach the Schlossalm mountain station is by the Schlossalmbahn. 

Your own car can also be parked for several days at the Schlossalmbahn parking lot or at the Angertal ski center. Please leave the “Almenweg parking clock” from the brochure in the parked car!

All further information about the Salzburger Almenweg can be found here.

Those who do not want to stay at the stage destination in the Angertal today but prefer to stay in Bad Hofgastein take the post bus to the town center. There, a visit to the Alpentherme is recommended: in addition to sauna, relaxation, and Lady-World, there are also two thermal water lakes that promise complete relaxation in the summer. There are numerous accommodations around the spa.