The breakthrough of the Grimmingbach into the Enns valley connects the Enns valley with the Styrian Salzkammergut. The narrow valley also separates the Totes Gebirge (Dead Mountains) from the Dachstein mountain range. Its eastern outpost, the Grimming, is considered Europe's highest free-standing mountain thanks to its topographic prominance of 1518 m (4980 ft). Accordingly, this mighty mountain dominates the backdrop of the picturesque village of Pürgg, which lies on a small plateau on the southern slope of the Rantenstein, with the Gindlhorn (1259 m / 4130 ft) rising to the north.
The Gindlhorn is a truly worthwhile destination. Starting from the car park in the small village of Pürgg, the hike first leads through the village, past the idyllic natural swimming pool and onto a farm track (hiking trail 289).
It is difficult to take your eyes off the Grimming, or more precisely its eastern subsidiary peak, the Multereck (2176 m / 7139 ft). The view is simply impressive. After a sharp right turn, you leave the farm track not far from the Wischberger farm and follow the tracks in the meadow uphill towards the forest.
The narrow path across the cow pasture eventually leads uphill through the forest to another pasture. This is quickly crossed before the path leads back into the forest and becomes increasingly steeper. Then the forest thins out and opens up views of imposing rock faces to the northwest. After the hiking trail has crossed the end of a forest road, the path through the forest becomes increasingly rocky and wilder.
The following section of the route is extremely scenic and leads up the rock face on a wooded ramp. The path, which is very narrow in places along steep slopes, requires surefootedness but can be mastered with appropriate caution.
As the altitude increases, the path becomes less steep. Eventually you reach a wooden ladder that leads comfortably over a final steep slope and is promisingly called the "Himmelsleiter" ("stairs to heaven").
After that, it is not far to the alpine pasture at the Schöflhütte. Wooden benches invite you to take a short rest. From here you not only have a good view of the Multereck, but also of a wooded peak that slopes down to the southwest with a steep rock face, the Gindlhorn (1259 m / 4130 ft).
The path continues across the pasture, past the Schöflhütte and finally onto a forest road that leads gently downhill in a northerly direction. In the immediate vicinity of a signposted intersection, a narrow path branches off to the left into the forest. This leads over roots and stones quite steeply up to the Gindlhorn. The path leads briefly along the rock face and then up another set of stairs.
Now it is not far to the summit. A few more meters of altitude must be overcome on the still steep but never exposed path until you reach the beautiful summit plateau. The view is impressive. The Multereck frames it on the left edge, while the summit cross directs the view to the Ausseerland. If the gaze wanders further to the right, the Tauplitzalm and thus the Totes Gebirge come into view.
There are also two wooden benches on the spacious summit plateau, which invite you to sit and enjoy the view before starting the descent via the ascent path back to the forest road.
Once you arrive in Pürgg, it's worth taking a short walk through the rustic village. If you want to stop off for a bite to eat, you can try to get a seat at the Gasthof Krenn. Both the garden and the dining room are extremely inviting and the food is also highly recommended. In any case, a visit to the inn is the crowning conclusion to a great hike.
Tour Facts (Tracked with Bergfex Tours):
Distance: 6.7 km (~ 4.2 mi)
Duration: 02:40 h (without breaks)
Ascent altitude: 473 m (1552 ft)
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