While the Hohe Wand, the Rax and the Schneeberg are known far beyond the borders of Austria as Vienna's local mountains, the Gutenstein Alps (apart from the Hohe Wand, which is actually a part of them) are a much less crowded hiking area. The mountains of the Gutenstein Alps are significantly lower than the Rax and Schneeberg, but in some cases reach heights of more than 1000 m (3281 ft). The highest elevation, the Reisalpe, rises to 1399 m (4590 ft) and the 1037 m (3402 ft) high Hocheck is the closest 1000 m high mountain to Vienna. The latter is usually climbed from the small town of Furth an der Triesting, which is also the starting point for hikes to the Gaisstein (975 m / 3199 ft) and the Kieneck (1103 m / 3619 ft).
The summit tour of Gaisstein, Geißruck, Almeskogel and Kieneck starts at the car park in Furth an der Triesting. From here, follow the signpost towards Kieneck, walk past the church and a farm and finally turn off following the red and white markings onto a well-trodden path across the meadows along the edge of the forest.
From here you can enjoy the first views to the north. The landscape up here is impressive and after a few minutes a path turns right into the forest. When you reach the edge of the forest you have to turn right immediately onto a small path which briefly runs along the fence at the edge of the forest but then turns uphill quite quickly. Now it becomes noticeably steeper. The path leads up over stones and roots through what is initially a dense forest. The forest becomes lighter and the ground becomes increasingly rocky. You will see chamois again and again, which remind you that you are still in the wild animal enclosure. After a total of around 2.5 hours you will reach the small summit cross, which marks the highest point of the Gaisstein (975 m / 3199 ft).
On the south side of the summit, the landscape is reminiscent of a stony orchard. But on the north side, the mountain shows a completely different side. There, a rock face drops steeply downwards. Caution is advised. Especially the rocky summit region of the Gaisstein gives the mountain a rather alpine character. A small bench next to the summit cross invites you to take a short rest and enjoy the wonderful view of the surrounding mountains.
The descent initially follows the ascent route. The treeless, beautiful mountain saddle is quickly reached again. Now a decision must be made: either return to the starting point of the tour or along the mountain ridge over two more rather inconspicuous peaks to the Enzianhütte on the Kieneck. I chose the latter. In this case, the route goes from the edge of the forest directly onto the forest road opposite, where the path to the saddle that was familiar from the ascent must be crossed.
From now on, the walk is more leisurely, sometimes up, sometimes down, initially on the south side of the ridge. Later, the path changes to the north side. After a total of around 2.5 hours and 7.5 km (4,7 mi), you reach the Atzsattel. Only here do you leave the wildlife enclosure again through a revolving door.
The further path more or less goes directly along the ridge about 160 meters up to the Geißruck (1074 m / 3524 ft), which should be reached after another 30 minutes. At the Geißruck itself there is a small summit cross and a bench. Through the trees you can catch a glimpse of the northern Alpine foothills.
The hike to the neighboring Almeskogel (1065 m / 3494 ft) along the mountain ridge is more like a leisurely walk through the forest that shouldn't take longer than 20 minutes. At one point the forest thins out to the south and opens up a wonderful view of the Schneeberg.
The Almeskogel itself is quite unspectacular. When you arrive at the small clearing on the equally small summit plateau, there is only a wooden sign pointing out the rather insignificant secondary peak.
The next stage to Kieneck is a bit more challenging. First you have to descend around 100 metres along the ridge before the path climbs up again, much more steeply.
After a total of around 4 hours, you have covered 11.7 km (7.3 mi) and reached the Enzianhütte at Kieneck (1103 m / 3619 ft). Now is the time for a long rest and the Enzianhütte is a really excellent place for that. The view from the terrace towards the south is beautiful and the selection of food and drinks is comparatively large and of really good quality.
The Enzianhütte can be reached from all sides. This tour will take you back to its starting point in Furth an der Triesting via the descent into the Staffgraben. The descent into the ditch via the Weißriegel is steep throughout but never unpleasant. In the area of the Weißriegel the forest thins out once again and you can look back at the now well-known peaks of Gaisstein, Geißruck and Almeskogel.
After about 45 minutes you reach the forest road that leads through the so-called Staffgraben back to Furth an der Triesting. From here it is truly a walk back to the car park - but this can be described as quite "extensive", especially since you have to cover around 7 km and you should plan on at least an hour and a quarter of a walk.
This tour is particularly attractive in late summer and autumn. The highlight was definitely the ascent of the Gaisstein, which is why shortening the tour to just the ascent of the same is certainly a worthwhile option. The Enzianhütte was certainly the second highlight, which can be a worthwhile destination in itself by choosing an alternative ascent route. This tour combines both, although the way back through the Staffgraben was rather long and relatively boring.
Tour Facts (Tracked with Bergfex Tours):
Distance: 21.3 km (~ 13.2 mi)
Duration: 06:30 h (without breaks)
Ascent altitude: 1046 m (3432 ft)
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