From the hideout on the alpine pasture to the Kleiner Pyhrgas

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The 2023 m (6637 ft) high Kleiner Pyhrgas rises into the sky north of its larger brother of the same name, the Großer Pyhrgas (2244 m / 7362 ft). The latter is also the highest peak of the Haller Mauern, the mountain range of the Ennstal Alps that stretches along the border between the federal states of Styria and Upper Austria from the Bosruck in the west, over the Große Pyhrgas, the Scheiblingstein, the Kreuzmauer, the Hexenturm, and the Grabnerstein in a convex arc around the town of Hall near Admont to the Große Maiereck in the east.

The Kleine Pyhrgas is located in the Upper Austrian holiday region of Pyhrn-Priel and enjoys great popularity, not least because of the Gowilalm, which is located halfway to the summit. The starting point of the tour is the Gowilalm car park in the Oberweng district of the municipality of Spital am Pyhrn, not far from the Singerkogel holiday hostel.

The parking lot is actually limited to a section of a narrow road where you can park your car along the side of the road. On weekends, it can quickly fill up. From the parking lot, a fairly steep path leads up the first few meters to a forest road, which you then continue along. Trail 616 is marked in red-white-red and initially curves to the right. After about an eight-minute walk, you reach a fork in the path. Follow the signs toward Gowilalm to the right. Now keep left and follow the forest road along the edge of the forest until a forest path eventually branches off to the right into the forest. 

The path through the forest leads relatively steeply uphill over roots and stones. After about 1,2 km (0.75 mi), the path crosses the forest road again before continuing uphill through the forest. The path crosses the forest road again and again and after about 2 km you reach a point where several paths meet. From here it gets really steep. The path climbs inexorably upwards on gravelly ground for what seems like an endless stretch. After about 500 m (0.31 mi), the path turns right onto a ridge. The path is still a comfortable width, but there are relatively steep descents to the left and right. This section offers a short breather before the path turns right again. In the following left turn you leave the forest road - de facto in a U-turn - onto a stony and much narrower path to the left into the forest. 

Now it is only a few minutes to the hut on the Gowilalm, which owes its name to a French soldier named Gauville, who is said to have used it as a hiding place during the French Wars in the 19th century. Today, the hut offers sleeping accommodations and good home-cooked food. A stop is definitely worth it. Behind the hut, the trail continues across the alpine meadow toward the small Pyhrgas. In the upper part of the meadow, the path becomes easier to see again, and markers on the trees indicate the further ascent.

It takes just over an hour to get to the Gowilalm. From the Gowilalm, the path becomes noticeably steeper and eventually rockier again. Soon, you reach the first rocky step secured with a steel cable. However, thanks to the numerous footholds and handholds, this isn't particularly difficult.

Now the tree line is reached, and the trail leads first through mountain pine terrain and later over so-called "Schrofen", steep, rocky terrain interspersed with grass and scree. Occasionally, easy scrambling over occasional rocky steps is necessary.

The path is now significantly more challenging, but never truly difficult. Only a few sections can be described as exposed. However, surefootedness is essential. The higher you go, the more impressive the view becomes of the Great Pyhrgas in the south, the peaks of the Totes Gebirge (Warscheneck, Großer Priel) in the west and the Sensengebirge mountains as the northern boundary of the Windischgarsten Basin.

Shortly before the summit, at an altitude of approximately 1950 meters (6397 ft), there is another somewhat more challenging section to overcome. Eroded, slab-like rock makes progress difficult, but individual steel cables provide support in places.

After two hours and 45 minutes, the summit is finally reached. The summit cross, visible from afar, stands at the highest point of the 2023 m (6637 ft) high Kleiner Pyhrgas. Now you can also enjoy views of the eastern side ridges of the Haller Mauern, as well as deep views into the Eiskar.

The descent follows the same route as the ascent and requires even more concentration, especially since it's often easy to slip on the gravelly ground. At least the areas requiring particular caution are already familiar from the ascent, so the descent isn't particularly difficult.

The panorama is beautiful: the Windischgarsten Basin lies at your feet, and in the background, the rugged peaks of the Totes Gebirge mountains rise impressively into the sky. It's a brisk descent to the Gowilalm. By now, you've definitely earned a bite to eat at the hut with the friendly hosts.

From the Gowilalm, an alternative route leads back to the parking lot. This path turns left immediately before the hut and leads via the Holzeralm pasture at the foot of the Kleiner and Grosser Pyhrgas mountains down into the valley. The Grosser Pyhrgas, in particular, dominates the scenery, captivating the eye with its steep, towering rock faces.

The descent to the Holzeralm is somewhat steep, but the scenery is particularly charming. From there, the trail becomes somewhat less steep and eventually leads along the Goslitzbach stream back to the parking lot, which is reached after just over 1.5 hours of descent.

Tour Facts (Tracked with Bergfex Tours):

Location: Oberweng 101-623, 4582, Österreich

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