6 stages in the Schober Group – Wiener Höhenweg in Austria

Rocky crags, 3,000-metre (9,840 feet) high peaks, turquoise mountain lakes and rustic huts – the Wiener Höhenweg (Vienna High Altitude Trail) offers spectacular high alpine hiking. Six scenic stages lie between the Iselsberg Pass near the town of Lienz and the Glocknerhaus mountain inn on the flank of Austria’s highest mountain, the Grossglockner. 49 kilometres (30 miles) and a lot of altitude metres through gigantic landscapes await on the Wiener Höhenweg as you trace the border between the Austrian regions of Carinthia and East Tyrol. In the heart of the Hohe Tauern National Park, you cross the lonely Schober Group mountains before reaching the famous Glockner Group on the last kilometres of the long-distance trail. With some high crossings over 2,500 metres (8,200 feet), the trail is characterised by spectacular panoramas.

The first stage from the Iselsberg Pass to the Winklerner Hütte mountain inn is a perfect ‘break in’. On day 2, you already reach high alpine heights with sections along partly rope-secured passages. After a night on the shore of the crystal clear Wangenitzsee, you hike along exposed sections, with wide views over embrasures and scree fields, to the Adolf Nossberger Hut. The fourth stage demands a lot from you in terms of sure-footedness and a head for heights as you hike to spectacular heights at the Horn col.

On the penultimate day of the Wiener Höhenweg, you can already see the summit of the Großglockner in the distance which accompanies you on your Tour to the Glorer Hut. The final stage shows you once again all the beauty of the Glockner Group. You pass the stone Salmhütte mountain inn and the fairytale Margaritzenstausee lake on your way to the Glocknerhaus, the official destination of the Wiener Höhenweg.

The Wiener Höhenweg is a high-alpine long-distance hike through steep terrain that requires alpine experience. You have to master partially exposed, rope secured passages, steep descents over boulder dumps and short scrambles. Since you reach heights of up to 3,000 metres (9,842 feet), I recommend that you carefully analyse the weather conditions beforehand and bring the necessary equipment such as waterproof clothing, helmet, hiking poles and possibly your via ferrata set. There is a particularly demanding crossing between the Adolf Nossberger Hut and the Elberfelder Hut.

You spend each of the five nights in rustic huts, but don’t forget to reserve a place to sleep in advance. You can reach the starting point at the Iselsberg Pass with the 942 bus from Lienz train station. In summer, the 5108 bus runs from your destination at the Glocknerhaus on the High Alpine Road to Heiligenblut. If you want to immerse yourself in wonderful, remote mountain landscapes, then the Wiener Höhenweg is for you!