Alpine trail through "Höll" gorge

Accessible by public transport

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

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 5,0 km

Time 2:15 h

Uphill 360 hm

Downhill 360 hm

Highest point 1370 m

This trail takes you to the Riesach waterfalls and through "Höll" (hell) gorge.

Discover the imposing Riesach Waterfall, the highest in Styria. The masses of water thunder two stages and 140 meters to the valley below. Highlight: alpine trail with steel suspension bridge.

Trail characteristics:

Steep forest trail alongside Riesach Waterfall, then to lake Riesachsee on an easier forest lane, or along the challenging alpine trail "durch die Höll" (through Höll), which is not suitable for children below the age of 8 years or for dogs. The alpine trail is for ascent only - no descent along the alpine trail!

Restaurants:

Almgasthaus Riesachfall
Gfölleralm
Kaltenbachalm

Highlights:

50 meter long steel rope suspension bridge
Viewing platforms in the gorge
Riesach Waterfalls
Riesachsee Lake

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

More information

From Schladming take provincial highway L722 (Rohrmoosstraße road) to Rohrmoos and at the roundabout continue on provincial highway L723 (Tälerstraße road) towards Untertal. In the village of Untertal continue straight on "Untertalstraße" road until you reach the valley head at Seeleiten car park.
Seeleiten car park at the valley head of Untertal.

ATTENTION: there is a parking fee at the public parking lots in Untertal valley.

From Almgasthaus Riesachfall the ascent is along a steep hiking trail with steps, located close to the water and a truly memorable experience, with viewing platforms and a 50 m cable footbridge. If this sounds a little too adventurous for you, or if you are hiking with children under eight, you can continue your hike to Riesachsee Lake, prior to reaching the cable bridge, along a forest lane.

In the canyon, the hike continues along the ››durch die Höll‹‹ alpine trail. It is well secured and features countless steps and stairs. You are mostly close to the rapid, untamed waters of the stream, able to feel how pristine this natural setting truly is and discovering so much along the way. A beautiful view reveals itself upstream, as the summit of the Hochwildstelle becomes visible. Via a steep ladder you climb out of the trail right by the pleasant Gfölleralm.

Just a few steps further is the deep-green Riesachsee Lake (elev. 1,338 m), flanked by lush forests and high mountainsides, while on the left shore the Kaltenbachalm invites you to enjoy a well-earned refreshment stop.

We recommend returning along the forest lane.

Surefootness required, unsuitable for children below the age of 8 years and dogs.

Changes in weather patterns, quick falls in temperature, thunderstorms, wind, fog and snow are some of the dangers that can be encountered on a hiking tour. Hosts of alpine huts and mountain refuges have a lot of experience in the mountains and can give good advice about weather and the trails. Poor equipment, overestimation of one's own capabilities, carelessness, poor personal constitution and/or wrong judgement can lead to critical situations. In case of thunderstorms: avoid summits, ridges and steel ropes.

GPS data and orienteering

Available GPS data - just like hiking maps - is only a guidance for orientation and can never depict a trail exactly with all its details. Especially at dangerous spots it is essential to judge on site how to proceed.

In an emergency please call:

140 - for Alpine emergencies (all over Austria)
112 - European GSM emergency number

A well-packed backpack is helpful and especially when touring Alpine terrain a tuque, gloves, a windproof jacket and pants are standard equipment. Good, waterproof shoes, sun glasses, sun cream and sufficient beverages are essential too. Torch light, a map of the area, knie and a small first-aid kit should also be in the backpack.

On hot summer’s days you can stop at the first viewing platform and enjoy the refreshment provided by the spray blowing off the waterfall.

With the Planai buses from Schladming (Planet-Planai, Lendplatz) or Rohrmoos (Rohrmoos-Zentrum) to Untertal - bus stop "Riesach Wasserfall" at Seeleiten car park (last stop).

Buses of Planai-Hochwurzen-Bahnen: www.planaibus.at

Tourist information: www.schladming.com

Information about bus schedules: www.planaibus.at

Website Wild Waters with 360° images: www.wildewasser.com

Hiking map ‘Hiking WEST’ available at the information offices in the region.
Schladming hiking map, 1:25,000, available at the Schladming information office.
Hiking map Schladming-Dachstein, 1:50,000, available at the information offices in the region.
Hiking guide Schladming-Dachstein by Herbert Raffalt, available at the information offices in the region.