Crunching snow under your skis, cold clear winter air and a snow-covered landscape, step by step you climb towards your destination and enjoy impressive views at the summit and wonderful descents over snow-covered slopes. The Kalkalpen National Park region offers ski tourers a wide range of options - from easy beginners' tours to challenging routes for experienced tourers.
Großraming - Gamstein
Approach to Großraming, direction Brunnbach to the Gschwendthöhe (chapel), along the hiking trail or on the forest road to the Gschwendtalm, from there continue (new forest road or south-facing slope) via the summit slope to the Gamstein summit. Descent to the Gschwendtalm and from there via the forest road to the starting point at Gschwendthöhe. Also suitable as a snowshoe tour.
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Großraming - Rotstein
Travel to Großraming railway station. On the Almkogel hiking trail no. 492, past the Kronstein farm, on a forest path to a saddle - continue over a high moor to the Brennhöhe. There you have the option of shortening this hike towards the Hinterlangerbauer farmhouse or conquering the summit of the "Rotstein". After 100 metres on the Almkogelweg trail, the path leads steeply uphill to the right after a gate. A wonderful view of Großraming and the Hintergebirge rewards you for this ascent. On the front of the Rotstein, the trail descends to the Hinterlangerbauer and through the Lumplgraben back to the railway station.
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Weyer/Kleinreiflling - Bodenwies (very good physical condition required)
Approach via Kleinreifling to the Viehtalalm. The tour starts at the car park of the former Viehtaleralm ski area. At the start, the trail leads across the alpine pasture up to the Bärenkogel. Continue along the forest road (hiking trail 495) flat until you reach a crossroads. Turn left here to the Schüttbauernalm and continue along the ridge hiking trail (no. 496). The path finally leads away from the forest road and up a little steeper into the forest (keep left along the ridge). At the top, you reach a small plateau with a fantastic panoramic view of the Ennstal Alps.
Alternative: Follow the forest road downhill to the Menaueralm hunting lodge and over the Kogel to the Schüttbauernalm (circular hike back to the Viehtaleralm possible). The route now climbs steeply up to Bodenwies through the forest and then along the ridge towards the summit. The tour is very strenuous, but rewards you with one of the most beautiful views in the Enns Valley. Return along the same route to the plateau. Continue via the Schüttbauernalm or along the same route to the starting point.
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Weyer/Kleinreifling - Almkogel - Wonderful high winter tour to the Almkogel with some steeper passages in the summit area.
Starting point Klaus near Kleinreifling | ascent approx. 990 metres in altitude | ascent time approx. 3 hours.
Approach on the Ennstalbundesstraße B115 to Kleinreifling, follow the road to the Viehtaleralm ski area for approx. 4 km until you reach the group of houses in Klaus. Car park.
From the car park in Klaus along the forest road until the marked summer path, which you follow on the further ski ascent, turns off to the right to the Saileralm. From the Saileralm, the trail leads along a forest road up to huts at just under 1000 metres. Ascend a further 100 metres on the forest road on the right until the path branches off to the left and leads below the summit slope, the right part of which climbs up to a ridge, which you follow to the left to the highest point. Descent directly from the summit and down to the forest road. From here as ascent.
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Weyer/Küpfern - Ödtboden Küpfern
Approach via Weyer/Küpfern to the Winkelmayr farmhouse - some parking spaces at the chapel approx. 400 metres before the Winkelmayer house (do not park at the farmhouse) from there in the direction of Fäulnbach, along the forest road and in the forest to Ödtboden, mostly forest descents.
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Weyer/Kastentreith - Burgspitz - Nice ski tour in the Enns Valley to the panoramic Burgspitz 1429 m.
Only in high winter and with good snow conditions, as you climb partly in high forest, otherwise without major difficulties.
Approach on the Ennstalbundestraße in the direction of Weyer to the small village of Kastenreith, over the Ennsbrücke bridge to the settlement of Küpfern and to the chapel in front of the Winkelmayr farmhouse (do not park at the farmhouse).
From the chapel, partly on the forest road north past the Spießkogel and continue initially along the edge of the forest, then uphill in the high forest until you can ascend in open terrain on the summit slope to the summit of the Burgstpitz. For the descent, cross the ascent track several times and finally take the forest road to the starting point.
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Losenstein - Hohe Dirn Cosy ski tour in the former ski area with many variation options, rustic refreshment stop at the Anton-Schosser-Hütte (opening times at www.schosserhuette.at.)
Approach Via the Eisenbundesstraße B115 to Losenstein - past the Blasl inn - follow Hohe-Dirn-Straße to the Hohe Dirn car park (subject to charge).
The abandoned ski area in the Kalkalpen National Park region of Ennstal offers many tour variants, the different routes are all very suitable for beginners or for those in between. If there is enough snow, you can start the tour in Losenstein at the railway station or ascend from the Reichraminger Rohrbachgraben. A longer option leads over the Sonnkogel (1177 m) and from there back to the ski area.
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Maria Neustift - Kreuzgruberhöhe - Freithofberg
Approach via Großraming, continue in the direction of Maria Neustift to the Kreuzgruberhöhe fire station. Important: Follow the parking rules at the fire station.
From the fire brigade depot, take the diagonally left (west) uphill road to the last farmhouse. Continue in the same direction across the meadow, through the forest to the next farmhouse. Continue westwards (marvellous view of the Reichraminger Hintergebirge), then eastwards along the ridge across more meadows and through forest to the summit meadow with mountain hut and on to the summit cross.
Three different descent options. Always eastwards to a hut, then either northwards = steep = former ski area, eastwards = along the ridge to a road. Turn left briefly and continue on a beautiful meadow to the edge of the forest or southwards = to the starting point (fire station).
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Maria Neustift - Glasenberg
Approach from Steyr via Kleinraming or Ennstal >> Maria Neustift main road 559 >> - limited parking
From the starting point directly next to the main road (green house), the trail leads across open slopes to the Glasner Hütte. From there, keep right along the forest road, cross the lift track (take particular care here) and continue through a short section of forest until you reach a weekend house.
Follow the forest road for approx. 200 metres and then turn left. Between two weekend houses you reach the ski piste and finally, keeping to the right, you reach the summit cross of the Glasenberg with a bench. Descent as ascent but with several variants in the ski area.
Steinbach - Grünburger Hütte - Hochbuchberg
Starting point: Steinbach an der Steyr - Rodatal - Seebachergut
Walking time: 1.5 - 2 hours | altitude: 650m | difficulty: easy
From the Seebachergut via the long-distance hiking trail 404 to the Sulzboden and the Hochbuchberg to the Grünburger Hütte. This easy ski tour impresses with its marvellous panoramic views over the Kalkalpen National Park region and is ideal as an avalanche-safe beginners' tour. The Grünburger Hütte is open in winter. Winter opening times at www.gruenburgerhuette.or.at
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Steinbach/Steyr - Hochbuchberg 1,273 metres
Easy tour, which is used by many ski tourers as a training and introductory tour.
Starting point: Steinbach a.d. Steyr, Rodatal, Freidhager farm car park | 800 metres altitude difference | ascent time: approx. 2 hours.
The ski tour leads across meadows and forest roads to the Lichteneben pasture. Then a somewhat steeper ascent to the saddle where the long-distance hiking trails 04 and 09 join. Climb slightly uphill towards Grünburger Hütte, at the next saddle head east up the Hochbuchberg. A stop at the Grünburger Hütte is worthwhile - winter opening times at www.gruenburgerhuette.or.at.
Descent along the ascent track.
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Molln - Trämpl (only suitable in high winter)
Easy, less demanding but very scenic ski tour.
Starting point: Bodinggraben car park (Jägerhaus) | 783 vertical metres | ascent time: approx. 2 hours.
Bodinggraben in the direction of Steyrsteg on the forest road. At an altitude of 700 metres in a hairpin bend, follow the leftmost forest road. Gentle ascent to Schaumbergalm, 1,110 metres. A short stretch through the forest to the Schaumbergalm, then across open meadows to the Trämpl. Descent along the ascent track.
Every tour should be well planned and prepared. Good equipment with avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe is essential. Weather forecasts, avalanche warnings and safety instructions must be observed.