Stage 1: St. Johann – Schatterberg – Griesenau
Ascent/descent: 1,056/745 vertical metres, walking time: 7 hours, distance: 19 kilometres, highest point: 1,274 metres, difficulty rating: intermediate
The hike begins at the tourst information office in St. Johann and leads for a few kilometres in a northerly direction to the Maria Blut hermitage and the baroque Gmailkapelle chapel built into the rock. Hikers then climb up onto the Niederkaiser-Kamm ridge and over the Schatterberg mountain. This is followed by a descent via the Bacheralm hut down to Gasteig, then on to Griesenau reaching the Gasthof Griesenau, our destination for day one.
Stage 2: Griesenau – Stripsenjochhaus – Feldberg – Griesenau
Ascent/descent: 1,150/ 1,150 vertical metres, walking time: 7 hours 15 minutes, distance: 11.9 kilometres, highest point: 1,813 vertical metres, difficulty rating: intermediate
Day two begins with a steep climb in a westerly direction up to the Stripsenjochhaus. Hikers then head north to the Stripsenkopf (1,807 metres) – near the summit there are a few sections with steel ropes achored into the rock for safety. Those who wish to avoid this section can go around the summit in an easterly direction. After a short descent it is time to climb again, this time to the highest point on the whole of the Koasa Trail: Feldberg mountain (1,813 metres). With majestic views of the Wilder Kaiser Mountains and the gorge below, walkes continue eastwards and then take trail 825 via the Vordere Ranggenalm back into the Kaiserbachtal Valley and back to the Griesner Alm. It is also possible to descend via the Hintere Ranggenalm hut.
Stage 3: Griesner Alm – Stubenalm – Prostkogel – Erpfendorf
Ascent/descent: 690/1,050 vertical metres, walking time: 7 hours 10 minutes, distance: 21 kilometres, highest point: 1,255 metres, difficulty rating: intermediate
Stage three leads hikers back out of the Kaiserbachtal Valley. Shortly after passing through the village of Griesenau they reach the fearsomely named "Teufelskapelle" ("Devil's Chapel"). From there they head left past the Gasthaus Altmühl into the Schnappengraben. Following trail 23, it is not long until hikers reach a pretty plateau home to the Stubenalm hut and dairy farm – a good place for a stop. Then follow trail 72 – and after that trail 5 – in a south-easterly direction to the Sprissleralm hut. This is soon followed by a section through a mysterious rock labyrinth known as the "Teufelsgasse" ("Devil's Alley"). Another well-earned rest at the Prostalm hut with its fine views is followed by the final descent to Erpfendorf.
Stage 4: Erpfendorf – Grießbachklamm – Eichenhof/St. Johann
Ascent/descent: 930/880 vertical metres, walking time: 7 hours 30 minutes, distance: 20.8 kilometres, highest point: 1,506 metres, difficulty rating: intermediate
From Erpfendorf take a quiet road with little traffic to the start of the Grießenbachklamm gorge (car park). A series of paths and hanging bridges lead through this beautiful gorge with several waterfalls. Hikers then take the Jägersteig trail up to the Angerlalm hut serving food and drink. The next section is along a wider trail via the Heisenalm towards the Adlerspoint. However, shortly before reaching the Bruggwirtsalm hut hikers turn off right to Baumooskogel/Kalkstein (1,506 metres) and climb up to the highest point of this stage. The descent heads first south along a narrow trail, then west along a wide path. After passing the hamlet of Scheffau hikers reach the edge of the village of St. Johann and – a little futher south – Eichenhof.
Stage 5: Eichenhof /St. Johann – Harschbichl – Wiesenschwang/Oberndorf
Ascent/descent: 950/920 vertical metres, walking time: 6 hours 30 minutes, distance: 14 kilometres, highest point: 1,604 metres, difficulty rating: intermediate
The fifth and final stage leads starts with a section along a signposted trail to the Eifersbacher Wasserfall waterfall. On their way, hikers will pass the Theresienbrunnen, a natural source which used to provide fresh spring water for a spa located here in days gone by. At the end of the gorge there is a series of steep steps leading up to a wide forest road. From there, follow the signs for Kröpflalm and Harschbichl. From the hut at the Harschbichlalm (1,604 metres) there are magnificent views of the Wilder Kaiser Mountains. Hikers can then choose whether they want to take a short detour (roughly one and a half hours) to the Kitzbüheler Horn mountain (1,996 metre) or head straight to the Stanglalm and Müllneralm – easy walking on wide trails – before descending to Wiesenschwang, where the Koasa Trail ends.
