Uphill & downhill: Lattengebirge: From the Steinerne Agnes to the Karkopf
A petrified woman, an ingenious view of Bad Reichenhall from a former border mountain, the highest point in the Lattengebirge – this round trip really demands a lot.
But first things first: The first goal of this tour in the Lattengebirge is the Steinerne Agnes (1305 m). This bizarre rock formation – formed by the weathering of different types of limestone at different rates – is a protected geotope. According to legend, by the way, an enchanted dairymaid. The second goal is the Dreisesselberg (1680 m). This mountain, overgrown with pines, doesn’t look very attractive, but it does offer a tremendous view of Bad Reichenhall. Its name is to be understood historically, three different judicial districts once met here. The third highlight is the Karkopf, at 1738 meters above sea level the highest point of the entire mountain range. Incidentally, from here you can see as far as the city of Salzburg and have a magnificent view of the fortress.
Enchanted dairymaid
Requirement: Moderately difficult, but somewhat longer mountain hike that requires a certain level of fitness. A total of 1150 meters of ascent, total round 6.5 hours. Surefootedness required
Starting point/arrival: Klaushäusl car park in Bischofswiesen/Winkl (711 m). Access from the federal highway 20 (Bischofswiesen – Bayerisch Gmain) at the junction north of the level crossing near Winkl (campsite/dump).
Three chairs – three jurisdictions
Route: From the car park along the asphalt access road past the Klaushäusl northwards to the Bichlmühle (signpost). Here on path no. 477 there is a hairpin bend, then further north along a wild fence to just before the Bichllehen (signpost). Now the ascent to the Steinerne Agnes begins. This leads – at times a little steeper – to the northwest until you meet the path (signpost) that comes up to the right from Hallthurm. We keep to the left (west) until you reach the rest area (information board) under the Geotop Steinerne Agnes in a few minutes. A path very short very steep at the foot of the rocks and in easy scrambling behind the rocks. After the descent back to the rest area, continue west (short rope insurance) into the large and very beautiful Karkopf and Dreisesselberg cirque. In a wide right-hand bend up to the plateau (signpost) and in about ten minutes east to the Dreisesselberg. Return to the crossroads and follow the hiking trail to the southwest to the large crossroads. Here you come across the ascent from the Predigtstuhl cable car, but keep to the southeast (signpost) and get to the Karkopf in a few minutes. This is where the descent begins via an unmarked and not (!) drawn on the AV map, but a well-cut path along the edge of the ridge southwards, always keeping an eye on the Törlkopf. You then follow this trail on the marked hiking trail no. 479, which initially rises slightly and then falls again below the Törlkopf to the mountain rescue hut (signpost). Here steeply down to the south to the Mitterkaser-Hütte (signpost) and on to the ever-widening forest road. This leads in several bends (cutting possible, but not particularly time-saving) through the Saurüssel southeast to the Frechenbach. Flat out to the north back to the parking lot.
Variant: A round tour variant over the Dreisesselberg with starting point in Hallthurm and descent over the north side can be found here: Thomas Neuhold, “100 day tours”, Verlag Pustet.
- Furnishing: hiking gear.
- Map: Alpine Club Map BY 20, “Lattengebirge – Reiteralm”, 1:25,000.
- More about hiking and mountaineering:www.meinbezirk.at/bergauf
- Tip: Collect hut stamps with the Salzburg hut pass from the district newspapers and win great prizes! You can download it here: www.meinbezirk.at/huettenpass
- The information: Thomas Neuhold and the Bezirksblätter Salzburg GmbH accept no liability for the tour. If in doubt, you should always hire a mountain guide.