Salzburger Almenweg - Stage 17: Flachau - Zauchensee

Hikers can easily orient themselves in the centre of Flachau by the Church of the Immaculate Conception. The Salzburger Almenweg leads from the start at the tourist information with a short walk south directly past it: In front of the church, turn left, cross the Tauernautobahn, which is tunneled at this point, and then continue straight on along a section of the "Path of Good Wishes" to Wechselmaisweg. Crossing this, path no. 32 leads moderately steeply uphill through the forest and then along the forest road to the mountain guesthouse Sattelbauer, which can be reached from Flachau in a good hour.

From here, a beautiful but partly quite steep hiking trail no. 73 leads to the right (south) first through the mountain forest (repeatedly crossing forest roads), then along a farm road to the managed Hinterkuchlbergalm/Lackenalm at the foot of the Lackenkogel (2,051 m). The Hinterkuchlbergalm is the last place to stop before the stage destination Zauchensee.

After the alms, the path continues slightly uphill for a short section to a black tarn, also called "Himmelsteich" (heaven pond), where the grazing animals like to refresh themselves. Here the Almenweg turns left and leads steeply uphill along hiking trail no. 73 before reaching the ridge between Lackenkogel and Vorderkogel (here a short detour towards Lackenkogel is possible). The high route, however, continues along the ridge southwards and promises fantastic views and panoramic views in clear weather. The Vorderkogel is bypassed on the west side and the 1,922-meter-high Hinterkogel is crossed. At the saddle between Hinterkogel and Rosskopf (1,930 m), the descent continues left down past the Höchalm and Unterbergalm (paths no. 86b and 86) to Zauchensee.

Places to eat (E) and overnight stay (Ü)

Mountain guesthouse Sattelbauer (1,280 m), (after approx. 1 hour), mid-May to end of October, closed Monday & Tuesday, Tel. +43 6457 2568 E

Hinterkuchlbergalm (1,632 m) (after approx. 2 hours), mid-June to mid-September, Tel. +43 6452 5482 E/Alm summer hut

Numerous places to eat and overnight stay in Zauchensee (after approx. 6:30 hours), www.altenmarkt-zauchensee.at E/Ü

Accommodation partner Salzburger Almenweg info and booking centre by Trail Angels:

Hotel Sportwelt, more information at: https://www.hotel-sportwelt.com/, Tel. +43 6452 4018

Here you will find everything about the right hiking shoe, perfect equipment and correct walking technique.

To make your day in the mountains truly an unforgettable experience, we give you some tips to ensure you are safe in the mountains.

Follow the A10 Tauernautobahn to exit 66 Flachau. The hike starts in the centre of Flachau at the tourist information.

Flachau is very well accessible by public transport: the nearest train station is in Radstadt, from where a Postbus goes directly to the stop "Flachau Ortsmitte".

There are no public parking facilities for several days in Flachau, but it is possible to ask at the booked accommodation on site whether the car can be parked. Please do not forget to leave the "Salzburger Almenweg" parking disc from the brochure in the car.

All further information about the Salzburger Almenweg can be found here.

The Lackenalmen owe their name to the dark, boggy tarns, also called Himmelsteiche by locals. They are fed purely by rainwater and are important for supplying the grazing animals. If you are well on time, you should take a little break by the water, in which the sky with its drifting cloud images is reflected. The Zauchensee at the stage destination is suitable for swimming. With a maximum water temperature of 16 to 18 degrees Celsius, it is a true refreshment boost!