Schönfeldspitze in the stone sea (Saalfelden)

From Maria Alm follow the street “Griessbachwinkl” to the hiking parking lots at 1200 m. Or from Krallerwinkl as a starting point below the forest, cross to Griebachwinkelstraße. Follow the gravel road to the material cableway and then ascend on the already challenging and exposed but very well secured path with steps and ropes to the Riemannhaus. Here you can refresh yourself again and refill drinking water supplies (for a fee) or spend the night if needed. Then continue only a few meters on the normal path towards Schönfeldspitze before turning right up to Sommerstein. Then continue to Schönegg to Wurmkopf (I). After descending from Wurmkopf there is the possibility to turn back to the Riemannhaus on the normal path, for example in case of weather changes or if you have already had problems so far. After a crossing, several climbing sections begin; it goes steep but always on grippy rock upwards. Then we cross the steep south slope on an earthy ledge (caution when wet). After a few more climbing parts, we cross a very exposed rock nose, which has been eased by a wire rope. Then we meet the eastern ascent and now ascend steeply to the summit in unsecured rocky terrain. During the descent, we stay on the east side and must carefully descend through the exposed, unsecured rocky terrain until we reach a ridge which extends with some climbing sections, ledges, and counter-ascent to the Buchauer Scharte. Here we could also return through the stone sea to the Riemannhaus. However, we first descend through the notch, initially steeper then flatter, back to Krallerwinkl or further to Maria Alm.

Hiking equipment, climbing gloves

Absolute surefootedness and a head for heights are required in the summit area of the Schönfeldspitze, except for one spot of completely unsecured rocky terrain, very exposed, unsecured climbing at grade I+ must be mastered, stable good weather, good fitness.

By S-Bahn, train, or bus 260 to Saalfelden. From there by bus 620 to Maria Alm.

Alternatively, to extend the time between the last bus/train, take a bicycle and ride from Saalfelden via Maria Alm to Krallerwinkel.

Timetable information and download: Online at www.salzburg-verkehr.at or on your smartphone via the free Salzburg Verkehr app for Android and iOS.

Direct arrival and details at: salzburg-erfahren.at

Riemannhaus

Theresa Schilling

5020 Salzburg

theresaschilling@googlemail.com

@touren_salzburg

Photo credits: Theresa Schilling, Per Oftedal

The route is too tight to do in one day using public transport due to the short time window between buses and the low starting point. It is feasible in two days with an overnight stay at the Riemannhaus. We took e-bikes on the train and rode from Saalfelden to Krallerwinkl with them. This gave us a larger time window and a higher starting point. For very fit hikers (20 km, 2200 m ascent and descent), the route is therefore possible with public transport in one day.

Riemannhaus