Hike to the Rosskogel

Passing the northern shore of the Tauplitzsee, you come to the Grazerhütte - here in the 1930s mountaineering icon Heinrich Harrer worked as a hut warden. Across the alpine pastures, follow the alpine pasture road in an easterly direction until you reach the Steirersee - a short detour to the popular Steirersee-Bankerl is worthwhile. From there there is a great view to the legendary Sturzhahn, which Heinrich Harrer climbed for the first time.

Continue on a descending alpine road through a valley until you reach the alpine floor and the Steirerseehütten located above the Steirersee. Now you follow the Salzsteig in a northeasterly direction and go - slightly uphill - through a sparse larch forest - when the needles change color in autumn, this trail passage shimmers in a soft golden hue. Via the salt trail, which is mostly at the same altitude, you walk at the feet of the legendary Sturzhahn with beautiful views of its characteristic shape to a small mountain saddle. From there you can enjoy the view to the Schwarzensee and the Leistalm.

On the southern shore of the Schwarzensee, trail 218/209A now leads towards the Leistalm. Now follow the alpine pasture to the southeast and cross trail 218 through a sparse larch stand. Above the timberline you reach the 1,890m high summit of the Rosskogel in a southeasterly direction - with a moderate incline.

Here you can enjoy the dream view in peace before you make your way back.

The way back can be done on the south side of the Steirersee. If you don't want to go back to the starting point on the asphalt road, change to the gravel road shortly before the Natufreundehaus and follow the meadow path to the parking lot.

• Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB)
• www.busbahnbim.at

From Tauplitz train station, the valley station of the 4-seater chairlift can be reached in about 20 minutes on foot.The bus stop is located directly at the valley station.