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 of the entire Ausseerland region and the Inner Salzkammergut.
The tour starts at Bad Aussee train station. From here, the route heads west along Koppenstraße. After crossing the level 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.
Following the red-white-red signpost, you reach the Planergraben. A narrow path winds steeply uphill through the high forest. At an altitude of 1,000 meters, the trail crosses a historic hunting trail that once served as a connecting path between the Fidl Alm and the Ödensee. Today, this path is barely passable as it has been replaced by forest roads.
Shortly afterwards, a forest road joins the path from the right. The ascent continues through the forest, becomes increasingly stony and reaches the tree line at 1,500 meters above sea level. After a spring, the trail climbs in serpentines until you reach 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 path flattens out 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. For the ascent to the Zinken, however, continue left, through a rocky alpine meadow, until alpine trail no. 696 comes up from the Handleralm. The last ascent to the summit cross of the Zinken-Kogel (1,854 m) leads straight ahead.
The eight-metre-high summit cross, erected in 2004/2005 by pupils from the polytechnic course and secondary school in Bad Aussee, is a real gem of a view. From here, there is 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 the alpine trail no. 696 to the left. The descent is southwards over a rockfall and steep terrain steps (approx. 200 vertical meters). 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 descending steeply to the right and then left into a rocky cirque. The descent now begins via the Handlerstiege, a steep passage equipped with rope safety devices. After the Handlerstiege, the path follows a spring and leads over a forest ridge past the outer Hornkogel.
After about one kilometer, you come to a forest road, cross it and continue downhill on Alpine trail no. 696. Another forest road is crossed via serpentines until the starting point in Bad Aussee is reached again after about one kilometer.