Four different options: to Tauplitz village

mountain church, pristine nature, a spring in every step

Many paths lead from the Tauplitzalm to Tauplitz village – four, to be precise. We present all four tours right here. They lead past a small mountain church, through pristine nature and across gently sloping alpine pastures that put a pleasant spring in your step. 

During these tours, you will drop down to Tauplitz, the charming village right next to the valley station of the quad chairlift, where you will discover hotels, guesthouses, inns, a grocery store, a village bakery as well as a dance paradise. Small, but truly special. You have four different options for your hike from the Tauplitzalm – the biggest lake plateau in Central Europe – down to the valley. 

Setting out from the Tauplitzalm, you will follow a country lane bringing you to a small mountain church: The characteristic shape of its roof was modeled after the legendary Sturzhahn – one of the surrounding mountains, first climbed by Heinrich Harrer. The beautiful stained-glass windows cast colorful reflexes of light into the church interior – an ideal place to begin your day with a few moments of quiet reflection. After the church, you will follow path 276 down the mountainside heading south, past the mid-station of the quad chairlift until you reach the valley terminal in Tauplitz village.

No gains, 731 m descent, trail time: 2 hours

Setting out from the Tauplitzalm, you will follow a country lane bringing you past a small mountain church to the Steirersee – including a recommended detour to the popular Steirersee-Bankerl, a lookout point from where you will be able to see the actual Sturzhahn, one of the favorite mountains once climbed by Heinrich Harrer. In fact, he was the first person to conquer this peak – via the 200 m tall west face. Above the western shore of the Steirersee, you will turn south on path 275 – then enjoy your hike via the Niederblas all the way down to the valley terminal of the quad chairlift in Tauplitz village.

No gains, 731 m descent, trail time: 2 hours

Setting out from the Tauplitzalm, you will follow a country lane bringing you past a small mountain church to the Steirersee – including a detour to the Steirersee-Bankerl, a beautiful lookout point. Now follow the path to the Steirersee, then hike either along the southern or northern shoreline as far as Schwarzensee. The crystal-clear water and flat shores of this lake promise pure summertime refreshment for body, mind and soul. When you reach the eastern shore of the lake, turn south on path 216, descending via the Riesen and the legendary Sagtümpel, an idyllic pond in the forest, down to the valley. Finally hike to the valley terminal of the quad chairlift in Tauplitz village.

96 m gain, 828 m descent, trail time: 3.5 hours

You will now set out on the longest tour down to Tauplitz village, leading across the Tauplitzalm – the biggest lake plateau in Central Europe. On soft alpine meadows through gently sloping countryside, you will hike via the Steirersee-Bankerl – a lookout point with magnificent views of the Sturzhahn, Steirersee and Schwarzensee – to the Leistalm. Now follow the sparse line of larch trees – first slightly uphill, then downhill again – of this pristine high plain smattered with patches of wetlands. After walking through the peaceful valley, you will reach the Interhütte, a hut surrounded by charming grazing areas. Continue east across the green alpine pastures on path 218/209A to the Natterngraben, alongside the idyllic Grimmingbach, soon coming to the trail fork for 218/209A, at which point you will head towards the Hochmölbing Hütte. Now, the path leads you towards the mouth of the valley, bringing you to the Gnanitzalm and Johnsleitnerhütte, where they serve delicious meals to hikers. Here, you can call the Alm Taxi at +43 664 888 666 88 and have them pick you up at the gate. Or, continue on foot to the valley terminal of the quad chairlift in Tauplitz village.

371 m gain, 1101 m descent, trail time: 6.5 hours

Hut opening times. »