Legendary: Tauplitzalm – Grosser Tragl Summit 2184 m

Unique mountain scenery, sinkholes, alpine flowers

This unique karst tour at the foot of the legendary Sturzhahn, first conquered by mountaineering icon Heinrich Harrer, is the ultimate in alpine enjoyment. The ascent is only for experienced alpinists and challenging. Once you have made it to the top, we recommend making a detour to the Kleiner Tragl – likewise very beautiful. 

This tour treats you to the unique mountain scenery of the Totes Gebirge: limestone slabs and channels, fossils, alpine flowers peeping out from between the rocks, countless sinkholes in the karst so typical of this area. In addition, almost always the sight of the legendary Sturzhahn, whose 200 m tall west face was first conquered by Heinrich Harrer. 

You will set out from the mountain terminal of the quad chairlift on the Tauplitzalm – with six lakes, this is the biggest lake plateau in Central Europe. 

Hike past Hotel Kirchenwirt to the Naturfreundehaus, taking the footpath on the left leading to Tauplitzsee. In early summer, the surrounding meadows are transformed into an iridescent sea of flowers, with purple rhododendron, blue gentian, hellebore and Carthusian pink in full bloom. Now continue east to the Steirersee, while a short detour to the Steirersee-Bankerl, a beautiful lookout point, is highly recommended. From there, you already have a beautiful view of the legendary Sturzhahn. Follow the lane above the Steirersee, past the huts as far as the Salzsteig, then across the high meadows until you reach the point where paths 218 and 276 fork. Here, switch to path 276 and hike through numerous pine trees until you come to the Jungbauer Cross. The unmistakable shape of the Sturzhahn will be constantly before your eyes. Continue north to the Schwaigbrunn, where the trail turns in the direction of Traglhals, leading you to the summit of the 2184 m high Grosser Tragl. Enjoy the exhilaration and panoramic view of the surrounding peaks! Incidentally, a brief detour to the summit of the Kleiner Tragl is also rewarding.

Backtrack along the same route, returning to the mountain terminal at the Tauplitzalm. 

Close to the Jungbauer Cross is a big sinkhole, which Herbert Jungbauer fell into back in 1948. Sadly, he could not be rescued. For your own safety, please stay behind the safety rods and only hike on marked trails. Furthermore, only take this particular hiking tour in good weather. The trail can become very dangerous in rainy conditions, plus hiking on slippery ground is never much fun anyway.