Round tour Neualm - Duisitzkarsee Lake

Accessible by public transport

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

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 8,2 km

Time 4:30 h

Uphill 560 hm

Downhill 560 hm

Highest point 1743 m

The round tour to Duisitzkarsee Lake via Neualm is a very scenic hike in the valley head of the Obertal in Rohrmoos. Start and finishing point is Eschachalm (1,211 m).

From Eschachalm to Neualm and from Duisitzkar it is possible to also walk along a logging road instead of a classic hiking trail. All other parts of the tour are classic hiking trails with tree roots and forest floor.

Duisitzkarsee Lake is a picturesque mountain lake framed by an impressive mountain panorama from South-East to West to North. In the warm summer months of July and August the lake often is warm enough to go for a swim. Be considerate of the fish in the lake and avoid, for example, stirring up dust. In addition, please do not go into the water with sunscreen, as this can upset the sensitive ecology of the lake.

Directly at the lake the Duisitzkarseehütte and the Fahrlechhütte invite you to grab a drink and a snachk. At the hiking trail head Eschachalm there is another option for a rest - Eschachhütt'n.

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

More information

Exit from federal highway B320 in Schladming and continue towards Rohrmoos. You ascend from Schladming to Rohrmoos and at the roundabout in Rohrmoos take the 3rd exit towards Obertal and Untertal. You descend into the small village of Untertal and at the end of the village turn off right in to Obertal valley. You continue on the paved road until Hopfriesen from where a gravel road takes you to the trail head Eschachalm for the last 2 km.
Parking is available at the trail head Eschachalm.

Starting point for the tour is at the hiking trail head Eschachalm in the Obertal valley (1,211 m). Either on a logging road or along a hiking trail you start your tour towards Neualm and Keinprechthütte. The trail ascends steadily but not very steep to Neualm (1,618 m), which takes about 1 1/2 hours.

After a short break at the Obertalbach creek you turn-off right and head out of the valley again towards Duisitzkarsee Lake. The trail between Neualm and Duisitzkar demands shurefootedness due to the many tree roots crossing the trail as well as some steeper sections of the trail. Though, the trail is a steady up and down without big differences in altitude. The hiking trail nestles to the slopes of the Duisitzer Hahnkamp and takes you through a beautiful timber forest and extensive fields of dwarf pines. After another 1 1/2 hours you reach Duisitzkarsee Lake at an altitude of 1,640 m.

Starched by the snacks of the huts you begin the last section of the tour - the descent from Duisitzkarsee Lake back to the trail head Eschachalm. You can choose whether you want to descend via a logging road or the nice (but a little steeper) hiking trail. After another 1 1/2 hours you reach Eschachalm again.

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.

A beautiful hike in autumn when the larches get their golden colouring and reflect in the water of the crystal-clear lake.

Planai-Hochwurzen hiking bus to the trail head at Eschachalm, Obertal.

www.planaibus.at

From the valley head at Eschachalm further into Obertal the landowners do not allow to bring along dogs.

Info about buses: www.planai.at

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.