Climb on the Hohe Wand using 6 different via ferratas
This tour combines 6 different via ferratas in various difficulty levels to ascend and descend the Hohe Wand 3 times – starting at the eastern end and heading towards its center westwards. The tour begins in Dreistetten and starts with the most difficult via ferrata of this tour: the Währingersteig (Cat. C) with its crux – an iron ladder in approx. 20 meters height that can only be reached by passing a traverse.
The tour then follows an easy hiking way downwards and along the Hohe Wand. The next ascent is done via the Hanselsteig (Cat. A/B with a short B part) bypassing the famous and impressive Karnitsch Stüberl (rest place), before its curx: a short iron ladder within a chimney.
Following the road at the end of this trail leads towards the next highlight: the Felsenpfad, a trail made of iron grids directly at the cliff. The Felsenpfad is next to the Kohlröserlhaus which is an ideal place for having lunch!
The next descent is done via the Leiterlsteig (Cat. A), an easy via ferrata with some steep (but protected) parts. At its end, a forest road is leading along the Hohe Wand towards the big parking at the bottom of the Hohe Wand (occupated by climbers).
The trail at the end of the parking leads into the Völlerin Steig (A/B) which then crosses with the Frauenluckensteig (Cat. B). This short but exiting trail is not protected via cables but offers iron rungs. Its name is derived from a vertical cave (the Frauenlucke) which is climbed via a long iron ladder. At the end of the ladder, one must turn around and step over the very deep and dark hole: an unique experience.
After having another break at Gasthof Postl, the way back passes the famous Skywalk (a viewing platform using iron grids).
The way back is first an easy hiking trail, partly on the street, which then leads into the final (easy) via ferrata that is used for descending: the Drobilsteig (Cat. A).
| 00:00 | Start at the parking lot Dreistetten (GPS: 47.855238, 16.099533) following the Angergasse. |
| 00:10 | Turn left and follow the right trail towards the access of the Währingersteig. |
| 00:12 | Put on the via ferrata set (“Klettersteigset”) at the begin of the Währingersteig. |
| 00:13 | Ascent using the iron rungs (steep!) till you reach the first plateau. |
| 00:20 | At the plateau, head towards the cave where you also find the trail book and a stamp (small break before approaching the crux). |
| 00:30 | Continue through the cave which exists at the traverse leading towards the ladder. This is the crux of this track. |
| 00:35 | Climb up the ladder and follow the remaining trail till you reach the exit of the track on a plateau. |
| 00:50 | The exist (plateau) is a perfect place to enjoy the scenery and make a small break (e.g. enjoy a self-brought refreshment ()). |
| 01:30 | Follow the small trail that leads to a big crossing and descend via the Notabfahrt (gravel road). |
| 01:45 | At the crossing, descend back to the valley using the Notabfahrt (gravel road). |
| 01:48 | At the next crossing, turn right and follow the forest street towards Zischkasteig and follow the road. |
| 02:20 | Turn right at the crossing with Hanselsteig. This is not easy to find (see pictures), follow the trail with the red-white-red marking (becomes steep shortly after the crossing). |
| 02:32 | Start of the Hanselsteig. |
| 02:34 | Break at the Karnitsch Stüberl: A unique rest place with an awesome view – perfectly for a self-brought ! |
| 03:15 | Continue on Hanselsteig by climbing up the chimney via its iron ladder. |
| 03:22 | Turn left and follow the road till reaching the Kohlröserlhaus. |
| 03:30 | Well-deserved lunch at the Kohlröserlhaus (). |
| 04:30 | Follow the Felsenpfad opposite of the Kohlröserlhaus and enjoy its unique experience. |
| 04:40 | Continue on the road (heading west) and follow the Leiterlsteig trail (straight ahead, see signpost) at the first corner. Descend via the Leiterlsteig. |
| 05:12 | At the crossing, turn right and follow the forest road (going along next the street) till reaching the big parking. |
| 05:33 | Cross the street at the parking and follow the Völlerin Steig trail marked “white-green-white” (see signpost). |
| 05:45 | Turn right at the crossing following the trail upwards. |
| 06:00 | Turn left into the small (blue marked) Frauenluckensteig trail. A blue arrow directs the way upwards into the Frauenlucke cave using iron rungs. |
| 06:05 | Take the iron ladder inside the cave. To exit, turn around and step over the hole. |
| 06:30 | After a small break, follow the trail upwards to the street and the Gasthof Postl. |
| 06:45 | Well deserved break (, ) at Gasthof Postl. |
| 07:20 | Follow the street and then turn right towards the Skywalk (follow signposts). |
| 07:30 | Enjoy the awesome view from the Skywalk. |
| 07:50 | Continue on the trail heading east till reaching the road at Almfriedenwiese. Then follow the road/trail till reaching the parking at the crossing with the information table. There turn left into the road and follow the road towards Kohlröserlhaus (pass by) till reaching the Waldlehrpfad. |
| 08:25 | Turn right into the Waldlehrpfad and follow the trail till its end at the Herrgottschnitzerhaus. |
| 08:45 | Short break () at the Herrgottschnitzerhaus. |
| 08:55 | Follow the Drobilsteig downwards. |
| 09:10 | At the crossing, follow again the Notabfahrt (like before after the Währingersteig). |
| 09:15 | This time, stay on the Notabfahrt (gravel road) and follow the road till reaching the parking. |
| 09:30 | Back at the parking (end of the tour). |
General Tour Data
| Area: | Wiener Alpen, Lower Austria, Austria | |
| Distance: | 16km | |
| Ascent: | 864m (2h 45min) | |
| Descent: | 863m (2h 25min) | |
| Highest Pt: | 892m | |
| Lowest Pt: | 522m | |
| Duration: | 7h 00min (without breaks) 09h 30min (with breaks) |
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| Stop/Rest: | Kohlröserlhaus (900m) Alpengasthof Postl (900m) Herrgottschnitzerhaus (816m) |
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| Equipment: | Via ferrata set incl. helmet Hiking shoes with good grip (on rock) Backpack with standard hiking equipment Snacks and plenty of water 2x “Gipfelbier” () Sun & Weather protection Camera |
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| Topo/Map: | Währingersteig (C) Hanselsteig (B) Völlerin (A) Frauenlucke (B) |
| Download GPX | ||
| O | Tour at outdooractive.com |
At a glance
| Level | difficult |
| – Via Ferrata Category | C |
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