Long but exciting and beautiful alpine tour up to the Eisenerzer Reichenstein via the Grete Klinger Steig (B/C)
This long but extremely promising alpine tour starts at the parking Hirnalm (GPS: 47.476232, 14.965918) and then first follows a nice hiking trail towards the Barbarakreuz crossing beautiful mountain pastures and forests. The trail then becomes more and more alpine and uses the Grete Klinger Steig via ferrata (B/C) to ascent towards the Vordernberger Mauer (1776m) and then via the Vordernberger Zinken (2003m) towards the Eisenerzer Reichenstein (2165m). The tour then descents following the route towards Krumpalm and next to beautiful waterfalls back to the Hirnalm.
Tour Description
| 00:00 | Start at the parking lot Hirnalm (GPS: 47.476232, 14.965918). Pass the gate north-eastwards and follow the hiking trail upwards through the mountain pasture. |
| 00:12 | Turn right and follow the small trail through the wood south-westwards. |
| 00:15 | Keep left and follow the red-white-red marked hiking trail. |
| 00:30 | Cross the street and follow the red-white-red marked hiking trail up towards Barbarakreuz. |
| 00:32 | At the Barbarakreuz, turn left into the trail towards Fahnenköpfl (follow the signposts). |
| 00:45 | Keep right and continue on the trail towards Fahnenköpfl. |
| 01:00 | The trail now becomes steeper and steeper. Follow the trail upwards but keep left at crossings (the right small trails often lead towards climbing routes). |
| 01:20 | At the beginning of the lower via ferrata, put on your via ferrata set and follow the trail upwards. |
| 02:00 | At the crossing, stay right to climb up the ramp towards Fahnenköpfl (A/B and then B/C) or keep left to bypass. |
| 02:10 | Enjoy the view from the Fahnenköpfl (latest now put on your via ferrata set!). Follow the trail over the small ridge towards the begin of the upper part of the via ferrata (B/C). |
| 02:35 | Master the first crux, an exposed ridge followed by a steep climbing wall (B/C). |
| 02:40 | Enjoy the view back and continue on the trail. |
| 03:00 | Turn right to climb to the Vordernberger Mauer, which is the second crux of the via ferrata (B/C) (or stay left to bypass and miss a lot). |
| 03:10 | Enjoy the view at the Vordernberger Mauer, best enjoyed with a self-brought refreshment (). |
| 03:30 | Continue on the trail heading north following the ridge towards Vordernberger Zinken. |
| 04:45 | Enjoy the view from Vordernberger Zinken (2003m) and descent now towards Grübelzinken. |
| 05:00 | Bypass the Grübelzinken on its left side and follow the trail (traverse) towards the crossing. |
| 05:15* | At the crossing, turn right and follow the trail towards Eisenerzer Reichenstein (or turn left and desenct directly to the Krumpensee). |
| 05:20* | Keep left to traverse directly to the trail towards Eisenerzer Reichenstein. |
| 05:30* | At the crossing, turn left and follow the trail towards Eisenerzer Reichenstein. |
| 05:35* | Follow the easy via ferrata (A) upwards, using the iron stairs. |
| 05:40* | Stay straight and follow the trail upwards. |
| 05:53* | At the crossing, follow the signpost towards Gipfelkreuz (summit of Eisenerzer Reichenstein). |
| 06:00* | At the crossing, turn left and climb up towards the summit of Eisenerzer Reichenstein (UIAA I-). |
| 06:10* | Enjoy the view from the summit of Eisenerzer Reichenstein (2165m) which is best enjoyed with a self-brought refreshment (). |
| 06:20* | Descent the same way back towards the crossing but this time stay straight and follow the trail along the ridge. |
| 06:25* | Well deserved break ( ) at the Reichensteinhütte. |
| 07:00* | Turn left and follow the trail towards the viewpoint. |
| 07:05* | Enjoy the view towards Krumpalm and the Krumpensee lake. Take the same way back. |
| 07:10* | At the crossing, follow the trail towards Reichenhals – Hirnalm. |
| 07:25* | At the Reichenhals, turn left and follow the trail downwards towars Krumpalm / Hirnalm. |
| 08:00# | Follow the trail (keep left) at the Krumphals downwards towards the Krumpalmp. |
| 08:15# | A short detour to the beautiful Krumpensee lake, then continue on the trail towards the Krumpenalmhütte (hut). |
| 08:20# | Bypass the Krumpentalhütte (keep right) and follow the trail downwards towards Hirnalm. |
| 09:10# | Cross the street and stay straight on the trail downwards. Then follow the forest road (turn right) back to the Hirnalm. |
| 09:35# | Back at the Hirnalm, end of the tour (you might consider a recap at the Hirnalm hut (). |
* The tour can be shortened by around 2 hours when descending directly towards the Krumpalm.
# GPS watch went to power saving mode, no accurate tracking is available, thus timing is estimated.
Please note that a full “Klettersteigset” (via ferrata set) is required for this tour!
The parking at Hirnalm requires a car with enough ground clearance. You can park a couple of meters below on a normal parking if your car does not have high ground clearance!
The tour is fairly long and has only one hut. Especially on hot days, make sure you have plenty of water with you!
The tour can be significantly shortened by skipping the Eisenerzer Reichenstein.
General Tour Data
| Area: | Eisenerzer Alps, Styria, Austria | |
| Distance: | 18km | |
| Ascent: | 1561m (4h 35min) | |
| Descent: | 1563m (3h 15min) | |
| Highest Pt: | 2165m | |
| Lowest Pt: | 934m | |
| Duration: | 8h 45min (without breaks) 9h 35min (with breaks) |
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| Stop/Rest: | Hirnalm Jausenstation (937m) Reichensteinhütte (2128m) Krumptalhütte (1416m) |
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| Equipment: | Via ferrata set incl. helmet Backpack with standard hiking equipment Solid hiking shoes with good grip Snacks and plenty(!) of water 2x Gipfelbier Sun & Weather protection Camera |
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| Topo/Map: | Grete Klinger Steig (B/C) |
| Download GPX | ||
| O | Tour at outdooractive.com |
At a glance
| Level | moderate – alpine! |
| – UIAA Level (Climbing) | I |
| – Via Ferrata Category | B/C |
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