Großer Hengst, der white giant

From the car park of the Langlauzentrum in Hohentauern (long variant 900 metres in altitude), take the road in a SW direction. At the last houses, the path branches off the road to the NW. The route now follows the marked summer path. After a short time you reach a forest road, which you cross. Now the path widens and you follow the Ziehweg until you reach the toll road. The marked summer trail is now briefly left, the route leads across the lane to the left of the marked summer trail to the next forest road. Now follow the forest road to the right until the marked path to the Edelrautehütte branches off from the road again to the left. Follow this path until you reach the toll road again. Either follow the road for a few metres or, better still, take the left-hand side of the road through the forest until the summer path on the other side of the road leads to the Edelrautehütte car park.

Until now, the path has led through wooded areas. Once you arrive at the car park (short variant 500 metres in altitude) at the Edelraute hut, you reach open alpine terrain. Climb up towards the Edelraute Hütte and, at about the height of the Scheiblalm, keep left towards the foot of the Hengst and walk along the summer path to the Hengstriedel. Here you tackle the first steep section until you reach the ridge of the Hengst.

The route now leads over flat and open terrain. The terrain becomes steeper until you reach a striking flat section on the ridge. Now keep to the right-hand side, more along the ridge and traverse not far into the steep slopes on the left until you reach the summit.

The last, steep summit slope can only be climbed in safe conditions! Do not cross into the steep eastern slopes!

Equipment for Ski Touring

• Touring skis with skins, bindings, and compatible ski touring boots
• Crampons (ski crampons) for icy sections
• Adjustable ski poles with winter baskets
• Backpack with ski attachment system
• Layering system: functional underwear, mid-layer, insulating jacket, wind- & waterproof shell
• Touring pants, gaiters if needed
• Helmet (recommended for descents and rocky terrain)
• Gloves (spare pair recommended), hat, headband, buff
• Ski goggles, sunglasses, and sun protection
• Water bottle or thermos, high-energy snacks
• First aid kit, bivy sack, personal medication
• Headlamp, mobile phone with emergency numbers, map or GPS

Essential safety gear in alpine terrain:
For ski touring, an avalanche transceiver, probe, and shovel are mandatory. Equally important are proper training in their use and up-to-date information on weather and avalanche conditions.

For ski touring, up-to-date weather and avalanche information is vital:

• Mountain weather Styria (including Murtal): wetter.ORF – Bergwetter Steiermark
• Avalanche bulletin Austria: lawine.at
• Emergency numbers: Mountain Rescue 140 | EU Emergency Number 112

Stop off at the Edelrautehütte or in the pile-dwelling village. Enjoy the view during the ascent on the Hengstriedel!

Unfortunately, this tour cannot be reached by public transport.

• Recommendation: Travel by car or organize a carpool.

Guided tours, avalanche seminars and ski technique courses for ski tourers:

Gundula Tackner

Alpine school on the Tauern

www.alpinschuleamtauern.at

ÖK 130, 1:25 000

Winterkarte, Tourismusverband Hohentauern, 1:25 000