From Johnsbach to the Heßhütte

Characteristics

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 11,9 km

Time 5:40 h

Uphill 848 hm

Downhill 848 hm

Highest point 1704 m

Classic hike in the Gesäuse National Park to the Heßhütte at the foot of the Hochtor.

The normal route to the Hesshütte starts in Johnsbach and follows trail no. 601 all the way up to the hut in about 3 hours.

There are also other options for the ascent:

From the Kummerbrücke car park: Along trail no. 660 via the Waterfall Trail in around 3.5 hours. Fun fact: this is the oldest secured trail in the Ennstal Alps and one of the most stunning hut approaches in Styria.
Through the Hartelsgraben: Via Sulzkaralm and Sulzkarhund on trail no. 665/601, taking roughly 5 hours – wild, raw and pure Gesäuse vibes.

From the Hesshütte, several crossings, summits and tours are waiting for you – perfect if you’re still hungry for adventure:

Haindlkarhütte via the Petern Trail in about 4 hours
Zinödl (2,191 m): Panorama circuit no. 662 in around 3 hours
Planspitze (2,117 m): Via trail no. 663 in roughly 2 hours
Hochtor (2,369 m): Up trail no. 664 (Josefinensteig) in about 2.5 hours, descent via the Schneelochpfeiler
⚠️ Routes around Hochtor involve climbing (grade I+) and are recommended only for experienced mountaineers.

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

More information

Pyhrnautobahn A 9 exit Ardning/Admont, B 146 Gesaeuse road to the junction Johnsbach (22 km), country road to Johnsbach, 7 km to GH Kölblwirtfrom
direction Hieflau: B 146 Gesäusestraße to the junction Johnsbach (6 km), country road to Johnsbach, 7 km to GH Kölblwirt

next to Gasthof Kölbl, Johnsbach

From Gasthof Kölblwirt/Johnsbach Steig - partly steeply uphill ("zacher Schuach") - to the Koderalm, easily accessible path to the Stadlalm - lovely alpine pasture area bordered by the Stadelfeld in the south and the Hochtor in the north, relatively flat stretch past Gamsbrunn (this is where the path joins in when you walk over the Hartelsgraben-Sulzkaralm-Sulzkarhund to the Hesshütte) and soon you will have the Hesshütte in the Ennsecksattel in sight.

The hut is well managed from the end of May to 26 October.

A worthwhile summit tour after a stop at the Hess hut is the Zinödl panorama trail, walking time 3 hours.

Sturdy hiking boots or good trekking shoes
Hiking backpack
Water bottle
First aid kit including blister plasters
Hiking map and smartphone
Snacks
Sunglasses
Sunscreen

You should also be well prepared for changeable weather.

Packing your backpack correctly makes things much easier:
Pack heavy items first. Your water bottle should always be easily accessible in a side pocket. Everything you need frequently, such as sunglasses, your smartphone, or hiking map, should be packed on top.

LOCATIONS: Gasthof Kölbl in Johnsbach or Hesshütte, from May to September Sulzkaralm (accessible via Hartelsgrabenweg)

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 region, you're mobile even without your own car during the summer months. Just one call to +43 3613 2100099 is all it takes: within operating hours, the Gesäuse shared taxi will take you to any destination in the Gesäuse — with no fixed timetable or stops.

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