Großarltal: 3-day hike from Murtörl to Großarl

This hike starts at the Hüttschlag valley end parking lot. At theGasthof Talwirt there are local delicacies and you can buy homemade smoked bacon. On the first floor of the Talwirt is the mountain forest exhibition and an information point of the Hohe Tauern National Park. Right next door is the valley museum of the Großarl valley.

You pass the Stockham farm heading towards the Kreealms. At the beginning of the path to the Kreealms, a short detour to the Kreealm waterfall is worthwhile; it falls about 100 m down a rock face into the valley. On the ascent, you can choose whether you prefer the forest road or shortcuts through the forest. Just before the alpine huts, you come to a small chapel. Two alpine huts await you at the Kreealm: the Kreealm-Kreehut is the lower one, the upper one is the Kreealm-Bichlhut. Both huts spoil you with delicacies from their own production (cheese, butter, bread, bacon, or sausage). After a short break, it goes further upwards through a huge cirque to the Murtörl. Just below this notch, the Mur river springs. It is often very windy here, so don’t forget a jacket. The high-level path continues to the Nebelkarscharte and the Waterfall notch. Through the whole Tappenkar, it finally goes to the Tappenkarsee. The Tappenkarsee hut is an Alpine Club hut offering overnight accommodation – please reserve beds in advance. 

Day 2:

After a leisurely breakfast, the hike continues to the Draugsteintörl and the Filzmoossattel. Here grows a very beautiful gentian. This flower is the companion of the Salzburg Alpine Pasture Trail, which winds through the Pongau region in 25 stages. The section from Tappenkarsee to Filzmoosalm is part of it. About 50 m above the Filzmoossattel is the Filzmoos Höhe. A climb there is definitely worthwhile. If you turn around now, you see the majestic Draugstein overlooking the Ellmautal. The descent is on a beautiful hiking path, past the stone pines typical for the rear Ellmautal. At the Filzmoosalm, you will again be spoiled with delicacies from their own production. After a hearty snack, it’s time for bed.

Day 3:

The next morning, you ascend the Filzmooshörndl – from here you have a wonderful view of the surrounding mountains. The path continues to the Stangersattel. You walk along the Ellmautal high-level path past many small ponds and black and lingonberry bushes.

Then you reach the Remsteinkopf. The way leads down to the Bichlalm, where you have a particularly beautiful view over the whole Großarl valley. Just above the Bichlalm is a cross, where every year a mountain mass is celebrated. Next to the hut is a bench. For hungry hikers, there is a delicious snack at the Bichlalm. Hours can easily slip by without really noticing. Often the herdsman (= alpine dairy farmer) plays his harmonica. After the rest, the path leads first over a short section along the farm road to the entrance to the "Himmelsleiter". Stop, now you must turn around once more briefly and enjoy the panorama!

From now on you have two options:

Option 1: You walk the farm road to the Hotel Lammwirt and take the Postbus or car back to Großarl.
Option 2: The slightly steeper option leads over the "Himmelsleiter." This path mostly leads through the forest. At the Finsterwald fork, you again have the chance to drive from the Finsterwald farm by car or hiking taxi to the valley or continue hiking, passing the Grafenalm (not managed) as well as the Wandlehenalm (not managed) until you finally reach the Europatisch (= monument of the old scout guild). The hike continues along the shady side path to the parish church in Großarl. In front of you, the view of Großarl opens up from a completely different side. Along the paved path you reach the town center of Großarl.