L4 Habichler Trail

This circular route with a length of 17.4 km and 940 m of elevation gain leads over forest roads and pathless terrain to the Habichleralm. The unmarked hunting paths are hardly visible, the route is very strenuous, and it is almost impossible to make rapid progress. Not an easy route, something for individualists who like to look for the way!

The start of the route is the Reichraming train station, which is located to the left at the entrance to town. You cross the rails at a nearby underpass and walk along Heinzel Street for about 4.1 km. Above the Großraming power plant, you turn off onto a meadow. Here, you go straight uphill towards the forest, which you ascend pathlessly and very steeply in a direct line. Once you reach the Habichleralm, keep left along the forest road until after 300 m a path leads right into the forest.

Alternatively, you can also take the forest road, which then turns into the forest after 2 km. To the left, there is a magnificent view of the Dürrensteig ridge, of which Almkogel is the highest peak. I can only recommend the forest road, as it soon becomes clear that the terrain around Brunntalmauer is very strenuous and difficult to progress through. Paths are only visible with a lot of imagination; deadwood, windthrow, and a lot of underbrush make rapid progress impossible. Sometimes you pass a marker or sparsely placed cairns that give hope of being on the right path.

After reaching a small saddle between Brunntalmauer and Fahrenberg, the route then only goes downhill through the woods, past rock towers until you reach a forest road again. From here, it is a good 9 km run through the Niglgraben back to Reichraming train station.

Very strenuous, as the terrain is partly very steep and pathless, densely wooded forest areas.

Definitely take trekking poles as the terrain is very steep and sloping.

(From my point of view, the route is not or only conditionally suitable for trail running.)

The required equipment always depends on the respective route and the weather conditions. Regarding provisions: this is very individual and it is advisable to have rather too much than too little with you in terms of equipment and provisions. A 5 km round in the valley requires less than a demanding route in the mountains. The weather can change quickly and if you are not constantly moving or have to take a break, warming clothing is of great importance, for example.

We have a general checklist here for you:

• Weather-appropriate running clothes for the respective season – weather forecast – region – altitude. These include, among others:
  * a waterproof rain jacket
  * waterproof rain pants suitable for running
  * gloves and warm headgear (cap/headband/tube scarf)
  * sunglasses + sunscreen + headgear for very warm days


• Trail running shoes


• Drink bottles, soft flasks or a hydration bladder with enough liquid for the respective route (possibly also salt tablets/magnesium)


• Snacks for an energy boost in between: energy bars, gels, chocolate, trail mix,


• Running backpack: ideally a trail running vest / a trail running backpack, or a belt pack for small routes.


• Dry pack: to keep your valuables or change of clothes dry (optionally a small garbage bag)


• Emergency blanket


• Small first aid kit. An Israeli bandage is highly recommended in my opinion: it is a one-handed wound and pressure bandage. Details can be found here.


• Emergency whistle (often integrated into trail backpacks)


• Mobile phone


• Map material (online and/or offline)


• E-Card or insurance card


• Some cash


• Microspikes/spikes: these can be of great advantage in winter and icy conditions.


• Folding poles for trail running


• Headlamp