Kaiser Franz Joseph Steig

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty challenging

Route 4,5 km

Time 6:00 h

Uphill 880 hm

Downhill 1000 hm

Highest point 1600 m

This via ferrata of difficulty C/D is located in the region around Erzberg-Leoben and offers breathtaking views of Lake Leopoldstein.

The “Kaiser Franz Joseph” via ferrata takes its name from the emperor who, over 100 years ago, climbed up to the middle of the wall, the so-called Kaiserbuche, to hunt chamois.

The impressive and long via ferrata is modern and exemplary, leads through the 860m high lake wall and has a photogenic rope bridge at the end..

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

More information

Detail of how to find us you can find here.

HIKE:

4 hours, 880 vertical meters

The most difficult via ferrata sections await you on the starting wall with two D passages.

This is followed by the “ERZBERGBLICK” rest area and an easy left crossing into the Kaisersteig forest area. Here is also an exit point (Kaisersteig) with an easy A/B descent.

After approx. 200 m you reach the main pillar, which leads to the Schwalbennest resting place in a steadily ascending difficulty C/D.

The route then continues via a gully (C) and a slab pillar (B C C) to the Adlerhorst rest area.

Caution: this is followed by the extremely exposed headwall C D and two short pillars (C/D and C) via which you reach the Ochsenbrand with the climbing book. After about 200 meters in altitude over steep meadows, you reach the last section. This leads over two pillars (B/C and C) and the double rope bridge to the exit.

DESCENT:

2 hours, 1000 meters of altitude

From the exit, follow the marked path northwards until you reach the junction with the hiking trail to Hochblaser. Here you keep to the left and descend via the marked trail (trail 822, secured, points A) to the lake outlet.

ALTERNATIVE DESCENT:

After the exit it takes about 1 hour to reach the summit of the Hochblaser (1771m) and on the marked path via the Hassenwilzinghütte (not managed, 1346m) and the so-called Geißstall into the Seeau and along the lake back to the parking lot (from Hochblaser summit another 3 hours).

Keep to the right at the intersection with the hiking trail to Hochblaser, and after about 20 minutes you will reach the Rosslochhöhlen via ferrata.

Timetables and travel information can be found directly at:

Österreichischen Bundesbahnen (ÖBB)) , Steiermärkischen Landesbahnen (STLB).

Mit der BusBahnBim App der Verbundlinie ist eine Fahrplanauskunft so einfach wie noch nie: Alle Verbindungen mit Bus, Bahn und Straßenbahn in Österreich können durch die Eingabe von Orten und/oder Adressen, Haltestellen bzw. wichtigen Punkten abgefragt werden. Erhältlich ist die App als Gratis-App für Smartphones (Android, iOS) – auf Google Play und im App Store

Sufficient (paid parking) available directly at the lake:

Tourismusverband Erzberg-Leoben

Homanngasse 12
8700 Leoben
Phone: +43 3842 48148
office@erzberg-leoben.at

Alpinschule Eisenerz

Alpfox Berg- und Skischule