The most beautiful peaks in the Salzkammergut (Part 1)

Hiking tips for stunning views

Schafberg above Winkl

The Schafberg is arguably the best-known peak in the Salzkammergut. This has less to do with its height (1,782 m) and more to do with the stunning views of the Salzkammergut lakes and the nearby Northern Alps

. Incidentally, height isn’t really a factor in the Salzkammergut, as only one mountain in the region exceeds the 2,000 m mark. The Schafberg stands out simply because of its distinctive shape: on the south side, it features a steep, green meadow slope, whilst on the north side it impresses with a rocky escarpment covering the entire summit area. Another reason for its fame is undoubtedly the Schafbergbahn, which has been transporting weary hikers to the summit since 1893 using the world’s oldest steam cogwheel locomotive. Here, however, we are focusing on those keen to hike and have a lovely tour in store:

We start our tour in the small village of Winkl, near the Fürberg lido at the northern end of Lake Wolfgang. Here you park your car and set off along the well-marked path up the Schafberg. The route first heads towards the forest and then climbs steeply upwards through it, following a stream over stones and roots. You cross a forest road twice and eventually follow it to Eigerriedel at 1,300 m. From there, you can already see the summit clearly. The route continues to the Schafbergbahn station at the Schafberg Alm inn. From there, you hike across the steep meadow and, at times, alongside the tracks to the Schafbergbahn summit station. The Berghotel Schafbergspitze is also located here, rewarding hikers with culinary delights and a wonderful view of Lake Wolfgang, Lake Fuschl, Lake Attersee, Lake Mondsee, the Alpine foothills and many peaks of the Northern Alps.

- Difficulty: moderate
- Distance: 7.2 km (to the summit)
- Duration: 5.5 hours (return)
- Elevation gain: 1,170 m

Zwölferhorn via Pillstein

You can also reach the Zwölferhorn using technical aids, in this case a cable car. However, the more scenic option is a tour of two peaks via the western side. You park in Tiefbrunnau at the end of a tarmac road and first hike through a deciduous forest to the Sausteigalm. From there, head right along a forest track towards the Strubneralm and follow wide loops up to the saddle between Pillstein and the Zwölferhorn. From there, head right towards Pillstein, where a beautiful view of the Untersberg, Watzmann, Hoher Göll, Schmittenstein and Dachstein awaits. After a short rest, the route descends gently back to the saddle and then over a steep grassy ridge to the Zwölferhorn (1,522 m). From there, you have a wonderful view down to Lake Wolfgang and Lake Fuschl and across to the Schafberg. The descent follows the same route as the ascent.

- Difficulty: easy
- Distance: 8.1 km
- Duration: 3 hours 50 mins - Elevation
gain: 750 m

Schober and Frauenkopf

A short but lovely mountain hike takes sure-footed hikers with a head for heights up to the Schober (1,328 m). This lies between Fuschlsee and Mondsee. Park your car at the Wartenfels ruins (north of Fuschl). From there, take the slightly more challenging route up to the left, past the Wartenfels ruins, which you can explore free of charge. The path then climbs steadily and steeply in switchbacks through the forest and up a track with stones and roots. The path becomes increasingly rocky as you climb and occasionally crosses a small scree slope. You’ll soon work up a sweat. Just before the summit, the path leads over a short rock face secured by a rope to the first destination. The view from the Schober summit is magnificent. Simply beautiful all around! To the north you can see the Alpine foothills with Mattsee, Wallersee, Irrsee and Mondsee; to the east, you look out over Wolfgangsee and Attersee; to the south, over the Dachstein, the Göll massif and the Northern Alps; and to the west, over Gaisberg, Untersberg and Staufen. The Frauenkopf lies just south-west of the summit. It features a small, narrow plateau with a beautiful view and a sheer rock face immediately beyond. Below this, a long scree slope stretches deep into the forest. The descent on this side is slightly less steep and rocky, but the scree slope is covered with many loose stones. It joins a forest track and leads through the woods back to the car park.

- Difficulty: moderate (sure-footedness required
) - Distance: 3.5 km
- Duration
: 2 hours 30 mins - Elevation gain: 400 m

written by Christian Messmer