BergeSeen Trail P2: Pühringerhütte - Welser Hütte

Directions:
From the Pühringerhütte, continue to follow the Ausseerweg (No. 201) to the east. Next to the Rauhen Elm rock face on the right, hike towards the Rotgschirr, past the Geiernestquelle spring. The turnoff of the Sepp Huber trail (secured with steel ropes and ladders) to the Almsee remains unnoticed, as does the summit approach to the Rotgschirr shortly thereafter.

From a small grassy hollow below the mighty mountain, the trail goes a little to the right up to Rotkögelsattel (2,000 m). Behind it, the well-laid-out Ausseerweg trail leads back downhill a bit and to the northeast through the "Aufg'hackert", the wildly craggy rock cirque littered with huge boulders between the Rotgschirr and the massif of the Feuertalberg, which towers up on the right.

 

On the "Ochsenweiden" (ox pastures), a few patches of mountain pine and grassy islands soften the severity of the otherwise almost vegetationless karst desert. On the further ascent to the saddle above the north-facing Hetzau ditch, however, you finally pass through the bone-dry lunar landscape of the karst plateau. Keeping to the right again, you continue gently uphill until you reach flatter, partly even somewhat grassy rocky terrain between the Pfaffenschneide (left) and the barely pronounced Hohe Kögeln (2,059 m). From the fork there, stay left on the Ausseer Weg, which after about 1 km between the Schermberg (left) and the Temlberg (right) reaches a trail junction (2,100 m).

Here continue straight on to the Fleischbank saddle (2,123 m), which is about 800 m away and surrounded by several sinkholes. On the left, the Sauzahn, which is located in front of the Schermberg, builds up, on the right the more distant, elegantly shaped Spitzmauer (2,446 m) - and in front of you, the southwest slope of the Großer Priel, covered with debris, appears. 3:30 h

 

Now turn left onto trail no. 215 in the direction of the "Welser Hütte". In the wild, deeply incised scree cirque between the Schermberg and the Großer Priel, the Hermann-Wöhs-Steig trail joins on the left. Shortly after, it breaks off with the layered rock flanks of the "Fleischbänke". These are overcome via the "Hansbauerband" secured with steel ropes and two short ladders. Further down there is often steep old snow. Between boulders and over a reddish rock ramp (steel rope) you descend to the grassy patch with the lacquer of the "Teicheln". Via another ladder (steel rope) you reach the Welser Hütte (1,740 m). This alpine club hostel stands in a most impressive place in the midst of huge rocky mountains. 1:00

Tip:
Summit detour to the Schermberg (2.396 m) and to the Großer Priel (2.515 m)

Safety guidelines:

• In alpine terrain, pay attention to the danger of falling rocks.


• Until early summer you can encounter steep snowfields or firn gullies - especially in icy conditions there is then an acute danger of falling and thus of death!


• Due to storm damage, forestry work or construction work, individual sections of the trail may be temporarily difficult or impossible to pass.


• Cows on the alp are often curious. Because they are mother cows, they develop a strong drive to protect their calves. Therefore, move quietly on cow pastures, keep at least 20 m distance to the animals and do not stroke calves under any circumstances! In case of threatening gestures (pawing, stamping) slowly move away backwards (do not turn your back). Dogs on a leash, they must not bark at cows or even chase them. In the event of an attack, it is essential to let them off the leash.

Equipment:
For all stages you will need hiking or mountain boots with a treaded rubber sole as well as wind- and rainproof clothing.

A change of clothes and a small first-aid kit should also be in your backpack. How much food you pack depends on the number of stops you make. In any case, you should take enough to drink. Telescopic poles are especially helpful when going downhill.

Additional information:
Text kindly provided by the publisher KOMPASS-Verlag and Wolfgang Heitzmann.

Further information at trail.salzkammergut.at