Haindlkarhütte Normalweg

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 5,0 km

Time 3:30 h

Uphill 566 hm

Downhill 565 hm

Highest point 1121 m

We hike up to the Haindlkarhütte – a mountain hut of the Austrian Alpine Club, nestled beneath the towering north faces of the Hochtor range. The roughly 90-minute ascent leads through varied terrain and offers impressive views of the Gesäuse mountains.

The trail to the Haindlkarhütte has long been a classic among climbers – as evidenced by the old Haindlkarhütte, built in 1923, which still stands just below the current hut. We follow the path through the alpine cirque, along the Haindlkar stream, passing watercourses and loose scree. Along the way, we enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding peaks: Planspitze, Rosskuppe, Dachl, Hochtor, and Festkogel. Looking back, the massive silhouette of the Großer Buchstein dominates the horizon. At 1,121 meters, the Haindlkarhütte is easily accessible early in the hiking season and offers a perfect introduction to the alpine character of the Gesäuse.

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

More information

From the south along the Ennstalstraße and the A9 of the Phyrnautobahn to Admont and from there onto the Gesäusestraße into the NAtionalpark.

From the north via Amstetten or Steyr to Altenmarkt near St. Gallen. Continue via Großreifling and the Hieflau into the Gesäuse then to the car park.

Haindlkar car park on the Ennstal federal road B 146 near Gstatterboden

We begin our ascent into the Haindlkar – a classic cirque climb, where scree and shifting terrain are part of the experience. The trail is well-marked and generally moderate, with only a few short, steeper sections requiring surefootedness. We follow the Haindlkar stream upward, gradually approaching the dramatic rock walls of the Hochtor group. Just before reaching the hut, we pass the historic Haindlkarhütte, the first shelter built for climbers in this area. Although the route is relatively short and not overly steep, it shouldn’t be underestimated: after rainfall, the terrain can shift, and loose stones or water crossings may alter the path slightly. The alpine setting is unmistakable – and the views are unforgettable.

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.

The Weidendom, Austria's largest construction site, and the "Ecological Footprint" can be reached on foot directly from the car park. A round in the Lettmair-Au with various stations as well as a viewing platform directly on the Enns is also recommended as a cosy conclusion to the Gsengscharten round. For more information see

www.nationalpark.co.at

Arrival by train / railway station: GstatterbodenArrival

by bus / bus stop: Haindlkar bus stop on the Ennstal Bundesstraße B 146 near Gstatterboden.

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 you are mobile in summer even without your own car. One call to t: +43 3613 2100099 is all it takes: During operating hours, the Gesäuse shared taxi will take you to any destination in the Gesäuse - without any timetable or stops. Www.gesaeuse.at/mobil

Gesäuse Tourism Association
Hauptstraße 35, 8911 Admont, Austria
Tel. +43 (0) 3613 21160 10
Email: info@gesaeuse.at
www.gesaeuse.at