Grossarl: 2-days-hiking-tour through the Ellmautal

From the village center, a path leads through the forest to Hertas Rast. You hike up to the farm Vorderstadluck. You have the possibility to go up until there by car or hiking taxi. Afterwards the path leads over meadows and finally pasture meadows to the Gerstreitalm. Especially children find their paradise here at the big playground. After a rest and a refreshment with products from their own production, we go uphill to the Röschenbergalm, which is not farmed. Through the beautiful alpine meadows you will reach the Saukaralm. This mountain hut is the highest moutnain hut in Grossarltal. The view from here is simply unique. The Hohen Tauern, the Hochkönig as well as the Tennen and the Hagengebirge make this pasture one of the most beautiful view points in Grossarltal. If you are at the Saukaralm, you should definitely look at the sunset on the Saukaralm. Through the free view to the south, west and north, sunsets are particularly impressive.

You hike along the Spatkar to the Trögseen. These are small mountain lakes, which are always good for cooling down in summer. Along the ridge you will reach the Gründgg. From here you have a wonderful view to the surrounding mountains. The descent takes place in the direction of Filzmoossattel. Now you have the choice on which mountain hut you want to stay. It is possible on all four mountain huts  (Ellmaualm, Weißalm, Loosbühelalm and Filzmoosalm). But please book the beds in advance! Everywhere there are delicacies from their own production.

After a strenuous mountain hut breakfast, you will get back up on the ridge from the respective mountain hut and walk to the Filzmoossattel. Directly at the Filzmoossattel is a particularly beautifully designed gentian, the symbol of the Salzburg Almenweg, which also includes the part from the Filzmoossattel to the Filzmoosalm and the Ellmautal-Almsteig. Continue to the Filzmooshöhe. A different, but beautiful summit cross attracts all hikers.

When you turn around, you will see the Draugstein, which is majestically towering over the Ellmautal. This mountain is one of three limestone mountains within the valley and the clay on the Draugstein are said to be healing effects. The route continues along the Ellmautal-Höhenweg to the Stangersattel. You walk past many small ponds and creepers. On the right side of the valley is the Buchbachkar. This is one of the areas in the valley where the most deers live. Especially in autumn, you can hear many belling stags and if you are lucky you can even see some stag. Then you reach the Remsteinkopf. The path leads down to the Bichlalm, where you have a particularly beautiful view over the whole Grossarltal. Just above the Bichlalm is a cross, where year after year a mountain church service is celebrated. Next to the mountain hut is a bank. Sit down here and enjoy the moment...

For the hungry hikers there is a delicious snack on the Bichlalm. Often the Hirter (= man on the mountain hut) also plays on his harmonica.  After a good rest, the path first leads a short distance along the forestry road to the entrance to the "Himmelsleiter". Stop, now you have to turn around and enjoy the panorama!

From here you have 2 options:
Option 1: You take the forestry road to the Lammwirt and then take the public bus or the car back to Grossarl.
Option 2: The somewhat steeper option leads over the "Himmelsleiter". This way leads to the majority through the forest. At the junction Finsterwald, you have the possibility to go by car from the farm Finsterwald or by hiking taxis to the valley or you continue walking past the Grafenalm (not farmed) as well as the Wandlehenalm (not farmed) until you finally reach the Eurpatisch (= monument the Scouts).

The walk continues along the Schattseitweg to the church of Grossarl. Follow the road to the center of Grossarl, the starting point of the tour.