The Ausseer Zinken is Bad Aussee's local mountain and a challenging summit destination that requires stamina, fitness, and surefootedness. However, the steep climb is rewarded with a spectacular panoramic view over the entire Ausseerland region and the Inner Salzkammergut.
The tour starts at Bad Aussee train station. From here, head west along Koppenstraße. After crossing the railroad crossing, the road climbs until you reach a forest path on the left. This is where the marked Alpine Trail No. 695 begins, which leads over the Planer to the summit of the Zinken.
Follow the red-white-red signposts to reach the Planergraben. A narrow path winds steeply uphill through the high forest. At an altitude of 1,000 meters, the path crosses a historic hunting trail that once served as a connecting route between the Fidl Alm and the Ödensee. Today, this path is hardly passable, as it has been replaced by forest roads.
Shortly afterwards, a forest road joins the trail from the right. The ascent continues through the forest, becoming increasingly rocky, and reaches the tree line at an altitude of 1,500 meters. After a spring, the trail winds uphill until it reaches the scree slope below the Eislochkogel (1,830 m). A short climb rewards you with a fantastic view of the Aussee basin and the Sarstein. From here, the trail becomes flatter and leads gently uphill past the Feuerkogel.
After a short descent through mountain pine fields, an unmarked alpine trail branches off to the right to the Planeralm. However, to climb the Zinken, continue left through a rocky alpine meadow until you reach Alpine Trail No. 696 coming up from the Handleralm. The final ascent leads straight ahead to the summit cross of the Zinken-Kogel (1,854 m).
The eight-meter-high summit cross, erected in 2004/2005 by students of the polytechnic course and the Bad Aussee secondary school, is a real gem in terms of views. From here, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Ausseerland region, with the Dachstein massif seemingly close enough to touch.
Descent via the Handlerstiege
The return route leads back to the crossroads, where you follow Alpine Trail No. 696 to the left. The descent is southward over a rockfall and steep terrain steps (approx. 200 meters of elevation). The trail then turns east and reaches the Handleralm (1,649 m) below the Zwicker Kogel.
From here, the route continues across alpine pastures to a saddle before turning right and then left steeply down into a rocky cirque. Now begins the descent via the Handlerstiege, a steep passage secured with ropes. After the Handlerstiege, the trail follows a spring and leads over a forest ridge past the outer Hornkogel.
After about one kilometer, you will come to a forest road, cross it, and continue following Alpine Trail No. 696 downhill. Another forest road is crossed via switchbacks until, after about one kilometer, you reach the starting point in Bad Aussee again.