Stage 03 Hesshütte - Ennstalerhütte, Gesäuse hut loop

From the Hesshütte you go approx. 300m south along yesterday's path back to the signposted junction at Gamsbrunn and then left up to the Sulzkarhund. From the edge of the Sulzkarhund you can clearly see the descent into the Sulzkar in front of you and go down to the Almenboden - here you experience the Gesäuse "off the beaten track". You leave the lake on your right and soon reach the alpine huts. Continue along the marked path to the forest road and along this road - following the signs - through a forest to a hunting lodge. Here you choose the old forest road into the wildly romantic Hartelsgraben. The path runs straight down through the Hartelsgraben, accompanied by the ever-increasing river and numerous smaller waterfalls. Shortly after the railway crossing you reach the Hartelsgraben car park.From here you walk for about 30 minutes along the road to the right (east) towards Hieflau (beware of busy traffic), until a hiking trail (forest road) branches off to the left (at KM 109,3 just before the road crosses the Enns). Follow this path along the Enns - at the junction, turn left and follow the markings of the hiking path (path no. 648). Now the trail climbs slightly through the forest, crossing the road again and again, which winds its way up in serpentines. At Kühmairboden (1.191m) you reach a junction where you turn left and hike along the forest path (path no. 642) almost even to Hochscheibenalm (1.189m). Now you orientate yourself to the right and it leads steadily uphill below the Tamischbachturm (2.035m) on a path (path no. 642) through the forest and over open areas up to the Ennstaler Hütte.On this hut's terrace you feel like you are on a box seat due to the location directly on the ridge between the Tamischbachturm and the rocky summit of Kleiner Buchstein. Opposite you can see the wild and rugged north side of the Hochtorgruppe and to the north the view extends far into the Alpine foothills.

Emergency mountain rescue: 140

Technically speaking, the Gesäuse Hüttenrunde is of moderate difficulty, which is no problem for sure-footed and experienced mountain hikers. All stages run along mountain trails with a red dot, which means they are classified as moderately difficult hiking trails according to the Austrian Alpine Association. However, you should have a certain amount of mountain experience for the Gesäuse Hüttenrunde, as you are hiking in the mountains at altitudes of up to 1,850 m above sea level.

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On sections of this stage, you will be walking on so-called "natural paths". These trails, which only exist in national parks and comparable areas where the tasks of process protection and making the experience accessible come together, are specially marked and only maintained to a limited extent by the trail keepers. As a result, these paths require increased precautionary measures, such as not walking in strong winds, observing the trees, not standing under dead trees and not hiking with headphones in order to hear acoustic warning signals in good time. In return, they enable a special experience of nature that only national parks can offer. Only less frequented paths are designated as "natural"; every refuge can also be reached via "normal" paths.

For the Gesäuse hut tour, "normal" equipment for alpine hikes on unpaved paths is completely sufficient. In any case, we recommend sturdy shoes and telescopic walking sticks to take the strain off the knees on the sometimes longer descents. For all refuges along the trail you should also bring a sleeping bag and a towel. Since the huts where you will be staying overnight on your trail trip are very remote and high up in the mountains and cannot be reached by the luggage shuttle, we cannot offer any luggage transport for the Gesäuse Hut Tour. We therefore recommend that you pack your rucksack sparingly and only take what is really necessary with you to the Gesäuse Hüttenrunde. It can be quite liberating to be on the way without luxury!

It is recommended to contact the Trail Info & Booking Centre before booking.

Offers at www.bookyourtrail.com/trail/gesaeuse-huettenrundwanderweg

In the Gesäuse you are mobile even without your own car

One call to t: +43 3613 21 000 99 is enough: During operating hours, you can take the Gesäuse shared cab, vlg. Gseispur, to any destination in the Gesäuse, without any timetable or stops. 

Further information & operating times

Timetable inquiry at www.oebb.at or www.busbahnbim.at 

www.bookyourtrail.com/trail/gesaeuse-huettenrundwanderweg 

www.gesaeuse.at 

 Gesäuseberge – Haller Mauern – Eisenerzer Alpen West, Nr. 801

M 1: 35.000 http://www.carto.at/gesaeuse/

Kompass/ Wander-, Fahrrad- & Schitourenkarte „Nationalpark Gesäuse“, Nr. 206

M 1 : 25.000  http://www.kompass.de/touren-und-regionen/wanderkarte/dest/100148-alpenregion-nationalpark-gesaeuse/

Alpenvereinskarte „Gesäuse und Ennstaler Alpen“, Blatt 16, M 1 : 25.000 http://www.freytagberndt.com/shop/9783928777346-alpenvereinskarte-16-ennstaler-alpen-gesaeuse/