Südwandhütte - Guttenberghaus | Dachstein Circular Hiking Trail: Stage 03

We start the third day of our circular hike on different routes depending on our fitness. There are two options to choose from:

First option:
We descend from the Südwandhütte to the Türlwandhütte and board the Dachstein glacier cable car. After a few minutes' drive we arrive at the Sky Walk viewing platform. If you haven't seen enough of the glacier here, you can take a hike to the Dachsteinwarte at the Seethalerhütte. On the prepared trail you walk around the Dirndlkolk to the Seethalerhütte. This is the starting point for the summit climb (we recommend a mountain guide for this). The walking time from the cable car mountain station to the Seethalerhütte is 1.5 hours there and back.

Second option:
We climb a steep serpentine path uphill directly behind the Südwandhütte and climb the last 200 meters up the secured Huhnerscharten via ferrata with the number 615 up to the Hunerkogel directly to the edge of the glacier. This is where the large glacier area begins, which is interrupted by the Gjaidstein. Note: Via ferrata equipment is required for this variant!

ATTENTION: For the variant with the Dachstein cable car, it is absolutely necessary to make a reservation for the mountain trip about 1 week in advance at www.derdachstein.at. Otherwise, all places in the gondola may be fully booked. Each guest is responsible for making their own reservation.

Both variants ultimately lead us to the same place, the Hunerkogel mountain station.
From here you should start early enough to safely reach the stage destination. We go down to the Gjaidstein saddle (a detour to the small Gjaidstein is also possible here) and down its eastern flank to the mountain station of the former 2-seater chairlift. You orient yourself using the colored markings on the rocks and the snow poles. You can also use the "dove", a stone man, as a landmark. At marker 674, the snow is often still frozen, so you should be sure-footed and careful here. Poles are also useful here for better security.

You walk along marker no. 674 to the valley station of the former chairlift, from where the marker leads you in a southeasterly direction over the barren karst landscape to the Feistererscharte, which you reach after about 1.5 hours from the valley station of the chairlift. Here you have a wonderful view of the Guttenberghaus and the Schladminger Tauern opposite. From the gap you follow path 616 and after a short, steep descent you reach the Guttenberghaus.

Pay close attention to the weather, because there is no shelter on this high alpine hike to today's destination. Due to the high altitude, weather conditions can change quickly, so equipment for all conditions should be considered (rain protection, mountain boots, poles, warm clothing, etc.).

The hut keepers can assess the situation on the mountain very well, so they are good advisors when it comes to weather changes. Wrong equipment, carelessness, bad condition and wrong assessment of the situation can lead to critical situations. The glacier part should only be used on the marked routes, as there is a risk of crevasses.

Backpack, sturdy shoes, hiking poles (recommended), weatherproof clothing, enough provisions, if necessary sleeping bag for the hut.(via ferrata equipment for variant 2)

Important note: For the ascent with the Dachstein cable car a reservation is necessary! Make sure you book your desired time frame a few days in advance. 

The closest stop to the starting point is the bus stop at the valley station of the Dachstein Glacier Cable Car - about a 40-minute walk from the Südwandhütte.

Sections of this stage are part of the long-distance hiking trail "From glacier to wine".