Großarltal: 3-day hike from Kitzstein (fork) to Kreuzeck

Day 1:

From the Sonnegg bridge, a forest path leads uphill through the spruce forest to the Muggenfeld (closed) and to the Maurachalm. You can shorten the route slightly via trails through the forest. Suddenly the forest begins to thin out and alpine meadows spread out. The first alpine pasture is the Muggenfeldalm (closed), the second is the Maurachalm. At the Maurachalm you will be pampered with delicacies from their own production. The Maurachalm is the northernmost alpine pasture in the Großarltal and is especially known for its exquisite schnapps (rowanberry or elderberry). The herdsmen often sing and play music here. Ascent over the Auhofalm (not serviced) to the Kitzstein (fork). Descent over the Oberwandalm (not serviced) to the Karseggalm. The Karseggalm is probably one of the coziest huts in the entire Alpine region and, with its approx. 400 years, also one of the oldest. When entering the hut, you are immediately surprised. The floor inside the hut is covered with clay and tree bark. It may well happen that the "Wehstatt", which means the "kitchen" in an old hut, is full of smoke. Here, as most people can hardly imagine nowadays, there is an open fireplace. A specialty from the Großarltal is produced here: the kneaded cheese. You won't find this cheese in any other hut, as an open fireplace is needed to smoke the cheese. Once a week, you can watch the herdsman or herdswoman making the typical sauerkäse of the Großarltal. 

You continue hiking for half an hour to the Unterwandalm. After this day's tour, you will be treated with delicacies from their own production such as bread, butter, cheese, bacon, or sausage. Please book beds in advance, as several hikers may stay overnight at the Unterwandalm. When the herdsman (senner) plays his accordion and the sun slowly sets, a cozy hut evening is guaranteed.

Day 2:

You are awakened on the alpine pasture by the ringing of cowbells. After a hearty alpine breakfast, the hike first leads back to the Karseggalm. Ascent over the Oberwand and Promaualm (both not serviced) to the Penkkopf and further to the Gründegg. From the Penkkopf and Gründegg, you have a wonderful panoramic view to the Hohe Tauern with the first peaks over 3000 meters, the Tennen and Hagen Mountains, and the Hochkönig. Walk along the mountain ridge to the Filzmoossattel. Right at the saddle is a particularly beautifully designed gentian flower that accompanies hikers along the whole Salzburger Almenweg. About 50 m above the Filzmoossattel is the Filzmooshöhe. Turning around you can see the majestic Draugstein overlooking the Ellmautal. This mountain is one of three limestone mountains in our valley and the clay of Draugstein is said to have healing properties. Two alpine huts await you at the Draugsteinalm, the left one being the Schrambachhütte and the right one the Steinmannhütte. Both offer delicacies from their own production (cheese, butter, bread, bacon, sausage, schnapps) and both allow overnight stays. But please reserve beds in advance!

Day 3:

After a hearty alpine breakfast, the path leads to the Draugsteintörl. From here you have a beautiful view of the Tappenkarsee, the largest mountain lake in the Eastern Alps. Wonderful ridge hike to the Kreuzeck and descent through the Glettenalm area to the Glettenalm. Hikers are rewarded with a hearty snack consisting of homemade alpine products. The descent proceeds either via the forest path or, for those who want it sportier, via the hiking trail over the Ragglalm (not serviced) to the Hallmoosalm (not serviced). From here, there is the possibility to be picked up by hiking taxi or to drive down to the valley by private car. Alternatively, you can also hike through the forest to Hüttschlag/Karteis.