Großer Buchstein normal trail

Accessible by public transport

Public bus (within 15 minutes walking distance from starting point)

Characteristics

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty challenging

Route 13,5 km

Time 6:00 h

Uphill 974 hm

Downhill 974 hm

Highest point 1542 m

The Großer Buchstein is that solitary, massively towering mountain which first catches the eye of anyone approaching the Gesäuse from Admont. The destination of the tour - the Buchsteinhaus - is the ideal starting point for all tours (including climbing tours) on the Buchstein.

The Buchsteinhaus, which was rebuilt on the same site in 2010, is located on the south side of the Buchsteinstock in the Ennstal Alps.

Since 1924, the refuge, which was built by the Nature Friends of Steyr, has offered accommodation for Gesäuse and mountain enthusiasts of all ages.

Since 2021, the hut has been looked after by the Bad Ischl Nature Friends. The hut is on the way to the ascent of the Großer Buchstein (2,224 m) and the St. Gallener Spitze (2,144 m).

The summit and hut deserve to be conquered. The ascent to the Buchsteinhaus is suitable for young and maturing alpinists if they have a good basic level of fitness. The Buchsteinhaus is also a waymarker on the Gesäuse circular hut trail.

The accommodation is divided into three 12-bed dormitories, one 8-bed dormitory and one 6-bed dormitory. The shower is closed when there is a lack of water.

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

More information

Von Linz und Graz auf der A9 Pyhrn-Autobahn bis Abfahrt Ardning und weiter auf der B146 nach Admont dann weiter in das Gesäuse bis Gstatterboden.Von Salzburg auf der A10 Tauern-Autobahn und der B146, Ennstal-Bundesstraße, über Schladming und Liezen nach Admont und Gstatterboden.

Von Wien fährt es sich am schnellsten über die A2 Südautobahn, den Knoten Seebenstein auf die S6 Semmering-Schnellstraße bis St. Michael. Dort wechselt auf die A9 Pyhrn-Autobahn. Die Ausfahrt Traboch nehmen und weiter über den Präbichl und Eisenerz ins Gesäuse. Oder nach dem Knoten Selzthal die Ausfahrt Admont-Gesäuse bei Ardning nehmen. Weiter über Hieflau im Osten oder Admont im Westen in den Nationalpark Gesäuse bis Gstatterboden.

Nationalpark Pavillon Gstatterboden; Bahnhof Gstatterboden

From the NP pavilion at Gstatterboden, we first walk a few hundred metres on a path next to the main road until we reach the entrance to the Rauchboden trail. We follow this path past several themed stations and with wonderful views of the Enns River and the Hochtor group on the opposite side. Soon the path to the Buchsteinhaus branches off to the right. Initially a forest road, the path becomes narrower and stonier and ends after a hilltop in a dry stream bed, which we cross. There follow some often sweaty sections of trail past a small cave, through a fairytale beech forest, often with short views of the Hochtor group opposite.

We cross a forest road a few times until we finally arrive at the Brucksattel. Now we see the majestic Buchstein for the first time. Soon we see the material cable car on the left, which has made the hut keeper's work much easier for some years now. Now our forest path leads in a comfortable 20 serpentines to the Buchsteinhaus. The refuge was completely rebuilt in 2009 and reopened in 2010. In addition to very attractive camp rooms, the Buchsteinhaus offers above all a large panoramic terrace that presents the north faces of the Hochtor Group as if on a platter. An unforgettable experience if we are lucky enough to sit here on a late afternoon or early evening when the alpenglow bathes the white limestone walls of the Hochtor Group in a golden-red light.

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.

at the starting point Gstatterboden, visit the National Park pavilion with the exhibition " Planspitze - the mountain of contrasts".

Postbus Linie 912 Haltestelle Bahnhof Gstatterboden (www.busbahnbim.at)am SA und SO auch Zug, Haltestelle Gstatterboden (www.oebb.at)

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