Hüttschlag: Hiking, Via Ferratas and Culture

For a stay in Hüttschlag, hiking, via ferratas and culture offer distinct themes to choose from. The routes differ in their destinations and courses: the Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail leads as far as Hüttschlag, while another hike goes into the Schödertal valley and up to the Arlscharte. At Lake Schödersee, seasonal natural conditions come together with information about nature and history. Via ferratas and cultural topics add further perspectives.

Hikes and Changing Water Levels

The Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail runs along the northern side of the Salzach Valley to Hüttschlag and is laid out as a 17-stage route. Before planning, check the current route, as its configuration may be changed by the operator. Another hike starts at the National Park information point by the Gasthof Talwirt, leads into the Schödertal valley and climbs to the Arlscharte, the pass into the Maltatal valley. The hikes mentioned therefore differ in their destinations: the Panorama Trail reaches Hüttschlag, while the other route leads to the Arlscharte and into the Maltatal valley.

On the hike to Lake Schödersee, around 50 information panels explain natural and historical features of the Großarltal valley. The lake itself is intermittent: it fills only after heavy rainfall or snowmelt and often dries up completely in summer because of underground drainage. Its water level therefore changes considerably over the course of the year. The hike also includes a detour of around 40 metres to Lake Ötzlsee. The route thus features both a lake with seasonally changing water levels and another destination reached by a short detour.

Another route leads to Kreealm Waterfall: it is a five-minute walk from the junction to the Kreealmen and plunges around 80 metres. The stated walking time links the waterfall to a specific starting point; by contrast, the detour to Lake Ötzlsee is described by its length of around 40 metres.

Via Ferratas with Different Measurements

The “Kupfergeist” via ferrata in the Hüttschlager Wand climbs 150 metres of vertical rock and has a difficulty rating of C–E. The “Gletschergoaß” practice via ferrata is rated A–C, is 150 metres long and 50 metres high. These figures describe different things: for Kupfergeist, the vertical rock section is specified; for Gletschergoaß, length and height are given separately. The “Kupfergeist,” “Gletschergoaß” and “Franzl” via ferratas are about 25 minutes from Hüttschlag town centre. Check the technical conditions before setting out.

Culture and Regional Context

The Hüttschlag Valley Museum presents the exhibition “On the Alpine Pasture – Between Heaven and Earth.” It explores the cultural landscape, alpine pastures and the forest in the national park. Hüttschlag Parish Church was probably built in the 18th century under the influence of the Salzburg court building office. While the exhibition explores landscape and cultural themes, the church points to the town’s architectural history; its dating remains uncertain.

One third of Hüttschlag’s municipal area has been part of Hohe Tauern National Park since 1991, the largest national park in the Alps. Since 2008, Hüttschlag has also been one of Austria’s “mountaineering villages,” selected according to strict criteria. The project by the Austrian Alpine Club is part of the implementation of the Alpine Convention. These details describe different aspects: the share of the municipal area within the national park and Hüttschlag’s membership in a selected mountaineering village.

Discover more travel destinations: Filzmoos, Kleinarl, Neuberg, Karteis, Lammertal, Iglsbach, Bischofshofen, Sankt Martin Am Tennengebirge

Go to the main travel overview: Sankt Johann Im Pongau.