In terms of area, the Tote Gebirge (dead mountains) is the largest limestone karst region in Central Europe. Water drains away primarily underground, which is why the range is quite sparse in vegetation across vast stretches. Along its southern edge, the 1822 m (5977 ft) high Hochtausing - part of the Warscheneck Group - rises into the sky in relative isolation. This striking mountain, with its steeply dropping faces to the south and north, is visible from afar. Three separate routes lead to this rewarding summit, which is most frequently ascended via the secured Eastern Ascent (A/B, I+) or the Toni Via Ferrata (B/C).
Those who wish to shorten the approach slightly can drive from Wörschach in the Enns Valley up to the Schönmoos 2 parking lot and start the tour at an elevation of around 1230 m (4035 ft).
From the parking lot, first follow the forest road until, after just 300 meters (984 ft), you reach a fork in the path. You can either choose the forest road to the right or—by following the signposts toward the Hochmölbling Hut—take a path that is somewhat difficult to discern, leading across the meadow toward the edge of the forest.
For the ascent, I opted for the forest road, which winds its way up the mountain in a somewhat wider arc. After about 20 minutes—and having covered a total distance of just over 1.6 km (1 mi)—Hiking Trail 281 intersects the forest road. Following this trail, leave the forest road to the right and continue your ascent along a lovely forest path. The narrow trail first curves to the left; after another curve to the right, it merges back onto a forest road. You can either follow this road or take one of the well-worn shortcuts. After a total distance of around 2.4 km (1.5 mi), another forest road branches off to the right. Follow this road until you reach a signpost on the left-hand side, which marks the route to the starting point of the eastern ascent ("Ostanstieg") up the Hochtausing.
Right at the start of the "Ostanstieg", there is a sign recommending the use of a rockfall helmet. This is not without reason, particularly since other hikers - or even animals - could dislodge loose scree from above the path at any moment. This is also the point where you should don your via ferrata set. The path is not continuously secured and quite exposed in many places, and the via ferrata set definitely provides an added layer of safety. Given the patches of old snow that had to be traversed within the steep entry gully, my lightweight traction spikes also saw their first use. However, immediately after successfully crossing these sections, I removed them again to improve traction on the terrain ahead - which was now a mix of earth and rock. The path climbs steeply upward, and alongside the narrow trail, the terrain typically drops away sharply. Sure-footedness and a good head for heights are absolutely essential here.
Winding through earthy gullies and rocky notches, the trail climbs relentlessly upward. Time and again - given the steep, earthy terrain - it becomes abundantly clear why traversing this path in wet conditions can be truly and acutely life-threatening. Today, however, conditions could not be better; thus, it is well worth pausing repeatedly to savor the magnificent views into the Enns Valley and toward the Niedere Tauern range to the south.
In dry conditions, the route is certainly a lot of fun. Most of the hazardous sections are secured with fixed steel cables, and whenever a rocky step needs to be surmounted - requiring the use of your hands - there are always plenty of good handholds and footholds to be found. Furthermore, metal rungs are even present in many places. Technically, therefore, the route presents no significant difficulties - a fact fully confirmed by its A/B rating.
Getting lost in this terrain could indeed have unpleasant consequences. Fortunately, finding the way is no problem at all, not least because of the numerous red-white-red markings.
As the trail gains altitude, it becomes slightly less steep and leads partly directly along the east ridge, but mostly along its south side towards the summit. Along the way, there is a short, unprotected gully (grade 1+) to overcome. After some walking terrain, a section requires downclimbing into a gully (grade A/B). Thanks to the fixed rungs in the rock and the steel cable providing support, this exposed section is easily manageable.
Immediately afterwards, it's back up the steel cable one last time.
After that, the route continues almost leisurely along the east ridge, accompanied by a wonderful view into the Enns valley and up to the lower Tauern mountains in the south, leading to the summit.
Finally, the Grimming mountain unmistakably comes into view to the west, its snow-covered slopes glistening in the morning sun. A breathtaking sight! And then, suddenly, the summit cross of the Hochtausing is very close.
After a total of approximately 2.5 hours (1.5 hours of which were spent on the eastern ascent), the highest point of the Hochtausing at 1822 m (5977 ft) is reached. Even during the ascent, one is constantly accompanied by magnificent views, but the panoramic view from the summit surpasses even that. To the east, the district capital Liezen in the Enns valley is clearly visible, and behind it on the horizon rise the Gesäuse mountains (Buchstein group and Hochtor group) into the sky.
To the west, the Grimming and the Dachstein Glacier dominate the view. The Hechelstein, whose summit I visited last autumn, is also clearly visible.
To the north stretches the Totes Gebirge mountain range, with the second highest peak of the Wrascheneck group, the 2336 m (7664 ft) high Hochmölbling, being particularly easy to spot. A little further to the northwest, the Priel group can be seen.
The aim of the tour is to cross the Hochtausing, which is why the descent will be via the west ridge, the so-called Tonisteig (B/C). A narrow path winds its way through the dense mountain pine thickets to the first fixed ropes. Staying on the right path here is not so easy, especially since there are no markings.
Upon reaching the via ferrata, the descent begins very steeply. The Tonisteig is well-secured and not technically very difficult. However, a fear of heights is definitely a problem here, as it leads straight down the steep rock face of the Hochtausing. Two ladders must be descended. In addition to the fixed steel cable, there are plenty of handholds and footholds. Thus, even downclimbing a steep gully (B/C) is ultimately not a problem, and even managing the slab with few footholds that follows shortly after proves to be straightforward.
Subsequently, the path follows a traverse to a saddle, which is reached after a descent of approximately 30 minutes. From this point onward, the terrain consists predominantly of easy walking ground; after surmounting a final steep section - which can be somewhat slippery and therefore tricky - the actual saddle is finally reached at an elevation of 1570 m (5151 ft).
However, the descent via the beautiful Tausingkar is forbidden as it is a hunting area. The route continues on the marked hiking trail 282a along the southwest flank of the Sonnwendköpperl.
After 20 minutes, you'll reach the idyllic Schneehitzalm. Keep right at the fork in the path and continue following the hiking trail. From here on, the descent is more of a stroll through a beautiful alpine landscape, constantly accompanied by stunning views. Only crossing a few old snowfields on the shadier north side of the Sonnwendköpperl requires occasional caution.
North of Hochtausing, the forest road leads downhill via the Langpoltenalm. The landscape is once again enchanting, and the view to the east is impressive. The Gesäuse mountains and the Haller Mauern range appear again and again.
The sight of the steep north face of the Hochtausing is impressive.
It won't be long now until I reach the start of the eastern ascent. From here, I could walk back to the parking lot along the ascent route. However, for the descent, I choose the more direct path through the forest, which crosses the forest road twice and finally leads to the same junction where I took the slightly longer ascent via the forest road earlier this morning.
From here, it's worth taking one last look back at the Hochtausing.
From here it's only 300 meters back to the parking lot. Time for a few final thoughts: The tour was varied, exciting, challenging, and offered exceptional views all at once. Definitely a clear recommendation for mountain enthusiasts who enjoy exposed via ferratas and magnificent panoramic views.
Tour Facts (Tracked with Bergfex Tours):
Distance: 10,9 km (~ 6.8 mi)
Duration: 04:50 h (without breaks)
Ascent altitude: 752 m (2467 ft)
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