We start at the main square in Mariazell and hike out of town along Wiener Neustädterstraße to the parking lot P5. After the parking lot we turn right on to Erzherzog Johann Weg and then left along Riedheimerweg to the main road, past the Erzherzog Johann monument (AUGENblick), along the B20 and turn left to the settlement Annaburg. From there, at the end of the settlement, descend into the Salzaklamm.
After a stretch along the Salza, we cross the Salza and hike up to the Oberkogelbauern, then continue on trail 426 on forest roads and short climbs to the Pollerboden and further to the summit.
The Alpenrosen hut, which we pass, is not managed. For the tour you should be sure-footed and free from giddiness, as it goes down steeply shortly before the summit cross.