Hohensee - Schimpelscharte - Etrachsee

Accessible by public transport

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

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty challenging

Route 15,8 km

Time 7:00 h

Uphill 1190 hm

Downhill 940 hm

Highest point 2273 m

This long traverse of the Tauern along old pathways is very diverse, remote, with several unique geographic features along the way. Return on the valley bus over Sölkpass.

From St. Nikolai in the Großsölk Valley, we hike along the Bräualmbach stream, past the waterfall, through the high forest to the Hohensee lake. Besides several dilapidated huts, two alpine huts built of marble still stand, though they do not offer refreshments.

The lake itself is surrounded by high mountains and offers the perfect resting place. A little further up, we leave the forest behind, and rounded humps, smoothed by glaciers and covered in moss, now dominate our surroundings. We continue our ascent to the Schimpelscharte pass. Far below lies the green Schimpelsee lake, and directly in front of us, a low stone wall divides the rounded ridge of the Schimpelscharte – at 2,273 meters, the highest point of our tour.

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

More information

Turn off the Ennstalstraße B320 at Pruggern (west) or Espang (east) in the direction of the Sölktäler Nature Park. In Stein/Enns turn off towards Sölkpass, and after about 18 km you will reach the parking lot on the outskirts of St. Nikolai.
Parking area at the beginning of the village St. Nikolai.

Weather changes, rapid drop in temperature, thunderstorms, wind, fog and snow fields are objective dangers and require the right behavior on the way. Hut keepers are experienced mountain connoisseurs, they can give good tips on the weather and the course of the trail. Lack of equipment, overestimation of one's own abilities, carelessness, poor physical condition and a wrong assessment can lead to critical situations. During thunderstorms: avoid peaks, ridges and rope belays at all costs.

GPS data and orientation aids: Available GPS data - as well as hiking maps - are only an orientation aid, since they can never represent an exact image or the richness of detail of a path in reality. Especially in the case of danger spots, it must therefore always be decided in the end on the basis of the conditions on site whether and how the further course of the path looks like.

In case of emergency, please dial the following emergency numbers:
No. 140 - for alpine emergencies - Austria-wide
No. 112 - Euro emergency call GSM emergency call service

Take rainproof and warm clothes and enough water, possibly also a snack, wear shoes with non-slip profile soles. A first aid kit should also be in your backpack.

SummitLynx- Your digital summit and hut book - available worldwide and always with you!

Arrival at Stein/Enns train station with ÖBB.
Cab Stefan Mayer: +43 676 54 09 858

Valley bus from July 11 to September 13, 2026 - this makes crossings in the Sölktäler Nature Park possible. You can also travel comfortably by train and the valley bus will take you to the starting point of your hike. Click here for the timetable.

Mountain guides from the region: www.schladming-dachstein.at/mountainguides

For more information, please contact the Schladming Dachstein Tourist Office - Sölktäler Nature Park Information Center:

Phone: +43 3687 23310 501

mailto:info@schladming-dachstein.at

Stein an der Enns 107

8961 Sölk

The brochure “Hiking- center” is available in all information offices in the region.