Are you a match for its majesty? If you have alpine experience, are free from giddiness and sure-footed, you can prove it now. A rocky challenge awaits you.
This difficult stage, the literal highlight of the hut tour, promises a day on the rocks. Sure-footedness, a head for heights and a good level of fitness are essential, and a helmet and via ferrata set are highly recommended. First of all, there is the steep ascent from the Gaudeamushütte to the Ellmauer Tor. The route leads through mountain pines, then through scree fields and over two steep rocky steps, some of which are secured with ropes. Then follow the black-marked mountain trail up to Hintere Goinger Halt, the highest point of the tour. The terrain is steep and rocky and the path is repeatedly secured with iron chains. From the top, there is a wide view of the nearby climbing walls as well as Lake Chiemsee, the Grossglockner and the main Alpine ridge. Descend to the junction of the popular Jubiläumssteig, a via ferrata-like, difficult and heavily exposed mountain trail. It is characterized by rock towers, a ravine and a passage, all of which require you to use your hands. The route leads to the Gruttenhütte hut, secured in large parts with steel ropes and footholds. From there you also have a wide view over the Kitzbühel Alps.
Pure rock adventure in the heart of the Wilder Kaiser!
From the Gaudeamushütte, follow trail 812/813 in the direction of "Ellmauer Tor". Hike in serpentines through mountain pines to the junction with the Wilder Kaiser trail. At the "Jubiläumssteig" junction, follow trail 812 to the right over the scree field (Kübelkar). After a rocky steep step (partly secured with steel cables), you continue over further scree fields and a final rock step into the Ellmauer Tor, 1,980 metres.
From Ellmauer Tor, follow the signs to Hintere Goinger Halt on a difficult (black-marked) mountain trail in an easterly direction. Via an initially steep, rocky terrain interspersed with grass and scree and later rocky passages (a short section secured with an iron chain), you reach the last upswing, where the route leads to the summit in easy scrambling. Enjoy the fantastic panoramic view from the Steinerne Rinne with the historic climbing walls of the Fleischbank, as far as the Chiemsee, the Fritz-Pflaum-Hütte in the heart of the Ostkaiser and the Hohe Tauern to the south.
After conquering the summit, you return along the same route to the junction of the Jubiläumssteig trail.
The scenically magnificent Jubiläumssteig is a very exposed, difficult mountain trail, which is mostly, but not continuously, secured with steel cables and some step aids/ladders.
On narrow and very exposed gravel and rocky ledges, the route leads through a pass, past many rock towers, until you descend into a gorge via an iron staircase and ladders. After crossing the stream bed, the final ascent with rope-secured climbing sections leads to the exit of the Jubiläumssteig.
From here it is not far to the end of the stage, the Gruttenhütte (1,620 m), the highest hut in the Wilder Kaiser with a beautiful sun terrace and views of the Ellmauer Halt, the highest peak at 2,344 m. On a clear day, you can enjoy fantastic views of the main Alpine ridge and the Großglockner.
Requirements: Alpine experience, good physical condition, sure-footedness and a head for heights!
Recommendation: helmet (risk of falling rocks), climbing harness & via ferrata set if necessary
(Snow fields can often be expected well into the summer).
Next bus stop for the access to stage 2:
Ellmau Dorf/Bauhof and with the hiking bus Wochenbrunner Alm to the hiking bus stop Wochenbrunner Alm.
Next bus stop at the end of stage 2: Scheffau Bärnstatt, Hintersteiner See or Pension Maier.
From here, take the Hintersteiner See hiking bus to the Scheffau Dorf bus stop and continue with the KaiserJet or public buses.
