Großarl valley: 6-day hike along the eastern side of the Großarl valley

Day 1:
From the center of Großarl a trail leads up through the forest to Hertas Rast. Then the trail continues over meadows and finally alpine pastures to the Gerstreitalm, your first stage destination. You will be spoiled with delicacies from their own production. After a pleasant rest, you will take the beds for the first night.

Day 2:
You will be awakened by the ringing of the alpine cows' bells. After a hearty breakfast, you set off uphill to the Röschenbergalm, which is not staffed. Over beautiful alpine meadows, you reach the Saukaralm. This pasture is the highest alpine pasture in the Großarl valley. The Hohe Tauern, the Hochkönig as well as the Tennen and Hagen mountains make this pasture one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Großarl valley. After a refreshment, you continue over alpine meadows, the so-called Spatkar, over the Spatalm and the Kleinwildalm (both unstaffed) to the Großwildalm. Here you will again be spoiled with delicacies from their own production. Over a romantic alpine path, it goes first downhill a bit, then uphill again to the Karseggalm, the oldest hut in the Großarl valley. With its approx. 400 years, it is a particularly rustic hut. Of course, there are delicacies from their own production here as well. Then it continues very leisurely to the Unterwandalm, where you take quarters for this night. Often the herdsman reaches for his accordion here - so a sociable hut evening is guaranteed.

Day 3:
Freshly fortified, you continue the next morning. First you have to follow a section of the Froststraße. You pass the Muggenfeld- (closed) and the Maurachalm. At the Maurachalm, you will be spoiled with delicacies from their own agriculture. The Maurachalm is the northernmost alpine pasture in the Großarl valley and it is especially known for its exquisite spirits (rowanberry or elder). The herdsmen often sing and make music here. Ascent over the Auhofalm (unmanaged) to the Kitzstein (Gabel). From here you have a beautiful view of the Salzach valley as well as the Hochkönig, the Tennen and Hagen mountains on one side and the Hohe Tauern on the other side. Along the mountain ridge it continues to the Penkkopf and the Gründegg. The descent leads to the Ellmaualm, where the beds are already waiting for the tired hikers. Fortified by a tasty snack, you can enjoy the sunset at the Ellmaualm.

Day 4:
After a good sleep, you walk leisurely along the Salzburg Alpine Trail without major climbs to the Weißalm. The loving furnishing of the hut with old tools reminds of long past days and the arduous work in the mountains. You then comfortably follow the Salzburg Alpine Trail to the Loosbühelalm. Especially for friends of goat milk and goat cheese, the Loosbühelalm ("Klausalm") is a special insider tip. Here you will find, besides the usual snack with homemade delicacies (not only goat milk but also cow milk products), also warm dishes. Via the "Fleischgraben", past the Achtalm (unmanaged), the trail finally leads to the Filzmoosalm. The hut is located in a pristine natural landscape. After a small refreshment, the trail leads uphill past many stone pine trees typical for the upper Ellmau valley. Finally, you reach the Filzmoossattel. Right at the saddle, there is a beautifully designed gentian, the symbol of the Salzburg Alpine Trail. A short detour to the Filzmooshöhe is definitely worthwhile. If you turn around now, you will see the majestic Draugstein watching over the Ellmau valley. This mountain is one of the three limestone mountains in our valley. The hike continues to the Draugsteintörl. From here you already have a nice view of the Tappenkarsee, the largest mountain lake in the Eastern Alps. Leisurely descent to the Tappenkarseehütte. This alpine club hut lies directly on the Tappenkarsee. Here warm delicacies such as Kaiserschmarrn or blueberry pancakes await you. Overnight stay at the Tappenkarseehütte.

Day 5:
A sunrise at the Tappenkarsee. How could a day start more beautifully? You cross the entire Tappenkar. A small excursion into the history of this area: all Pongau farmers were allowed to drive their cattle into the Tappenkar. However, the Großarl and Hüttschlag farmers considered the right of use solely theirs and behaved accordingly. Eventually, our farmers were completely excluded from grazing rights in the Tappenkar by court. In return, our farmers then refused the cattle drive to the Tappenkaralm through the Großarl valley. And back then, this was the safest access to this beautiful valley, as the other possible connection through Kleinarl was steep and very dangerous for livestock. Finally, you arrive at the Wasserfallscharte and continue to the Nebelkarscharte. On the high trail, you reach the Murtörl. Just below this saddle, the Mur springs. It is often very windy here; it can happen that you walk everywhere with short sleeves while icy cold wind blows on the Murtörl. Attention: on the entire route, you pass no huts. Please take enough drinks and food with you. Through a huge cirque, you finally reach the two Kreealmen, the Kreealm-Bichlhütte and the Kreealm-Kreehütte. Here you will be spoiled with delicacies from their own production. At the lower hut, the Kreehütte, you take your bed for the last night.

Day 6:
The next morning you walk down valley in a relaxed way. Right after the Kreehütte you pass a chapel. Now you must decide whether to hike down the trail or the forest road to the valley. Once down, you can refresh yourself at the Gasthof Talwirt. A detour to the valley museum is well worth it. The return to Großarl is comfortable by Postbus.