The Königsweg
Length: 74 km, difficulty: moderate
Surefootedness a must!
Extended Hike
alongside the Hochkönig Massif.
“Want to crown your Königsweg adventure
with a night at a rustic mountain hut?”
In four stages and with one day’s rest, you will hike (with no luggage to
bother with) along the Königsweg, with the Hochkönig always right there
at your side, from one hut to the next, making your way from Maria Alm
via Dienten to Mühlbach, then back to your original starting point. Your
suitcases will already be waiting for you at your next night’s hotel or
guesthouse. If you prefer, naturally, you can also tackle individual stages
of the Königsweg as a part of your vacation instead.
Along the Königsweg there are numerous opportunities to spend the night
at rustic, traditional huts, surrounded by the marvelous, pristine nature of
the Hochkönig. We are glad to lend you a hand in finding and booking the
huts that work best for you. Hut lodgings are available in private rooms as
well as dorms. Please note that luggage transfer to mountain huts cannot
be guaranteed, so be sure to bring along a day-pack with everything you
need for the night.
MARIA ALM
Easy-to-understand hiking & recreation map
To help with planning, use our map with complete
information and offers for the Hochkönig Region. It
is available free of charge at all local tourist offices.
Contact
Hochkönig Tourism GmbH
Tel.: +43 (0) 6584 20388
Fax: +43 (0) 6584 20388 25
[email protected]
www.hochkoenig.at
Welcome to the 4 stages of the “King of All Paths”!
DIENTEN
Total length: 74,4 km • Total gain: 4824 vm • Total descents: 4819 vm • Total trail time: approx. 23-31 hrs.
surfaces, such as woodland paths with exposed roots, forestry roads, trails
across meadows, rock and stone, though also on paved roads, providing
plenty of variety along the way. But that also means, good footwear is an
absolute must! We wish you a great start to this wonderful adventure, four
blister-free stages punctuated by well-earned rest days, together with a
wealth of unforgettable impressions and memories.
MÜHLBACH
Make yourself right at home in the comfy lodging establishments of the
Hochkönig Region with its picture-book villages of Maria Alm, Dienten
and Mühlbach; perfect spots to get yourself in the right mood for the
exciting and challenging tour that awaits you over the next few days. In
order for you to get your bearings out on the trail, keep an eye open for
the crown symbol displayed on signs. You will be hiking over a variety of
Stage 1
Stage 2
Start/Finish: Maria Alm tourist office
Stage 4
Schneeberg
Arthurhaus
Dienten 1071
0 km
MARIA ALM
Erichhütte
Filzensattel
Jufen
802
m
Stage 3
Hundstein
Hochkasern
Wastlhöhe
Dienten 1071
Mühlbach 860
802
m
Bus/lift transportation available
10
20
30
40
50
60
73,7 km
Stage 1 / Maria Alm - Dienten
DIENTEN
Length: 16,2 km • Gains: 1292 vm • Descents: 1029 vm • Trail time: approx. 5-8 hrs.
Route description: We will start in front of the tourist office and make
Important: The marker is on the left-hand side. It is a narrow path downhill
across open terrain, and you can already make out the first houses in the
valley. Then our path takes us back into forest, and eventually to a forest
clearing. Alongside the forest and then, at the marking, we turn downhill
to the left.
an immediate right to the car park next to the Dorfj@t-Bahn (Please
note hours of operations!) valley terminal. From here we can enjoy a
comfortable, free (Hochkönig Card) ride on the Dorfj@t-Bahn lift to
the top of the Natrun. Forest path No. 26a now takes us past numerous
interactive info stations to Gasthof Jufen (elev. 1,105 m), also the site of
a wildlife feeding station. After the inn, we will follow path 401A. Now
gently downhill across alpine pastures and through a short patch of forest,
past a cattle shelter, to the Pichlhof. We walk slightly downhill along the
farm driveway as far as the main road, which we cross, then make our
way about 200 m downstream along the banks of the Urslau. Crossing a
small bridge, we reach an idyllic riverside pathway leading alongside the
Urslau, across the lift car park and past Gasthof Steinbock in the direction
of Hinterthal. We cross the main road and follow the Urslaustrasse
straight to the village center of Hinterthal. Shortly before the church,
we branch right, following path 401A past Gasthof Obermussbach, with
pleasant pathways bringing us to the start of the Butterfly Path. Passing
interactive info stations that describe the butterflies’ habitat, after 30
minutes we reach the Mussbachalm. After an enjoyable rest stop and a
chance to snack on regional favorites, we follow this old, almost forestfree country path uphill until we reach the turn-off for Alpine Assoc. path
436. Here we can take in marvelous views of the eastern Steinernes Meer
mountains. We keep right, following path 401A/436, continuing our hike
in the direction of the Pichlalm. Shortly after entering the forest, our trail
becomes a true hiking path, which we follow across a high moor until we
reach the Pichlalm. After a short break and a friendly welcome from the
host, shortly beyond the hut we make a right onto path No. 68 towards
the Filzrensattel. Initially the path takes us gently uphill, then across a
beautiful alpine pasture. Path No. 68 leads us steadily downhill through
the forest, until, shortly before the Filzensattel, we come to another alpine
meadow. We can already see the Filzensattel car park in front of us. Once
there, we cross the main road, follow a small trail up to a forestry road/
supply lane – path No. 50 – and keep right. After ca. 25 m we turn left
onto supply lane No. 50 – in the direction of Grünegg-Gabühel. On this
path we continue for about 2 km until we come to a trail fork. Important:
The marker is on the left-hand side. It is a narrow path downhill across
open terrain, and you can already make out the first houses in the valley.
Then our path takes us back into forest, and eventually to a forest clearing.
Alongside the forest and then, at the marking, we turn downhill to the left.
After some time, we can already see the village church. This path ends at
a paved road, where we keep right, following this narrow road constantly
downhill until we reach a turn-off for “Jausenstation Almhäusl”. Prior
to the Almhäusl, the path leads to the left in the direction of Dienten.
Gently downhill, we make our way across an alpine meadow as far as
the fork, where we stay left. Continue downhill until we reach the road.
Keep right – after a few meters, we will see the signs at the entrance
to Dienten. We will pass to the left of the newly built ski center, also
home to the tourist office, on our right Restaurant Dorfstubn, the “Flower
Houses” (old wooden houses with beautiful floral decorations) and Bauer
bakery/café. From here, just a few more minutes along the village road
and you will see our village church on a hill. Your accommodations are
also located on the village road.
This alternative for more ambitious hikers will last
approx. 1 hrs longer (without lift ride):
From the valley station of the Dorfj@t-Bahn (Please note hours of
operations!) lift in Maria Alm, take path 401A across lush meadows,
making your way steadily uphill to the mountain lift station on the Natrun
(298 vm). Continue as described for Day 2, via Hinterthal-MussbachalmPichlalm-Dienten.
Filzensattel
Pichlalm
Jufen
Hinterthal
Dorfj@t Bahn
1071
m
Start: Maria Alm tourist office • Finish: Village church in Dienten
802
m
10
15,6 km
DIENTEN
5
Stage 2 / Dienten - Mühlbach
MÜHLBACH
0 km
Length: 22,2 km • Gains: 1033 vm • Descents: 1231 vm • Trail time: approx. 6-8 hrs.
Route description: We will set out from the bus stop in the town
center (across from the “Flower Houses”), then ride the hiking
bus in the direction of Maria Alm until we come to Filzenkapelle
chapel, close to the trail head for Bockkluft Nature Trail, path No.
66, and Alpine Park Dienten. Shortly after we start, we will briefly
walk along a gravel path, cross a small stream and hike along a
path overgrown with grass as far as a paved supply lane, where we
keep left, the mighty Hochkönig before us, and eventually come to
a gate. About 200 m beyond the gate, Bockkluft Nature Trail No.
66 branches off to the right past a panorama info board. Initially
we will walk across alpine pastures, before being surrounded by
the natural diversity of this segment of the tour. Playfully, we will
learn interesting facts about plants and animals in this imposing,
rugged natural landscape. We pass by numerous interactive
stations, bubbling mountain springs with water pure enough to
drink, and cross two white-water canyons. Just after this, our
“theme path” ends. At the trail fork, we keep left heading towards
the Erichütte on path. No. 436, 401A. After about a 30-minute,
steep climb, we reach the Erichhütte at elev. 1,550 m, treating us
to magical panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks of the Hohe
Tauern mountains.
Erichhütte
Now at an essentially level elevation, we cross an area of mountain pine
and will see, about 300 m below the trail to the right, the Stegmoosalm.
We, however, will continue on path No. 436, 401A into the Birgkar.
Before us is the imposing 800 m high south face of the Hochkönig, and
rising to the left the trail up to the Hochkönig/Matrashaus. After this
majestic sight of the Hochkönig, the path leads us out of the pine trees
and onto the alpine pastures that are home to the “Four Huts”, where
we can make a stop and enjoy a lunch break. After a short, easy descent,
we reach picturesque Riedingtal valley with a mountain waterfall and the
Mandlwände in the background. At the foot of the unique Mandlwände,
the hiking path leads us past the still recognizable natural ski jumps of
the former Riedingtal Ski-Jumping Center. After a short stretch of forest,
we reach the Windraucheggalm. The last segment to the Arthurhaus and
the Schweizerhütte (famous for its award-winning cheese products) is
very flat and relaxing. From the Arthurhaus, we immerse ourselves in the
history of copper mining. The Mitterberg Ore Path No. 85 (ca. 5.5 km, 642
vm), with 15 information stations, some of which are interactive, takes us
downhill via forest and meadow paths, trails, past the more recent copper
mine (from 1928) as well as old miners’ homes, to the village center.
Arthurhaus
Birgkar
Filzenkapelle
1071
m
Or even easier: We will ride the hiking bus from the same bus stop in
the direction of the Arthurhaus, as far as the Erichhütte car park. Now
comes a pleasant climb (ca. 30 mins.) up broad country path No. 432 to
the Erichhütte. After a short break, we continue our tour on path No. 436,
401A towards the Arthurhaus, passing the Wetterkreuz and one of several
stations on the “Healthy & Slim” hiking path located on this section of
the path.
Riedingtal
Autobus
860
m
Start: Bus stop Dienten • Finish: Mühlbach village center
0 km
5
10
15
19,7 km
This alternative for more ambitious hikers will last approx. 2 hrs longer:
takes us to path No. 65 – steadily, though gently uphill, on our right a large
alpine meadow, to our left a broad natural trench through which rushes
the Dientenbach. At the trail fork, we follow path No. 65 to our left. The
walk is now gently downhill to the Dientenbach, which we cross over a
small bridge. On the far shore, we again go uphill to the left, through a big
meadow gate. We immediately make a right onto path No. 66. We follow
this gravel road uphill to the Wirtsalm (not staffed). We pass to the right
of the hut. This is also where the wide path ends, with beautiful forest path
No. 66 taking us on to the next trail fork, where we turn right, switching
onto path No. 436 to the Erichhütte.
Route description: We begin at the tourist office in Dienten (ski center) and
follow hiking path No. 65. Before us we already see the mighty Hochkönig
massif. At the bridge we follow path No. 65. A narrow road brings us
gently uphill, the Hochkönig constantly before us. Our route takes us past
the Zachhof, an old farmhouse, now a listed historic monument. After
about 100 m, we come to the main road (leading to Mühlbach). We cross
this and continue uphill on the left side of the road for about 200 m. After
the parking areas, we make a left to path No. 65. We will follow this
narrow road and pass two farmhouses. We will cross a narrow stream, and
continue through a small patch of forest with two gates. At the second gate
we make our way through the farm. We find another gate on our left. This
LEGEND
Hut with active hill farm
Commercially run alpine hut/
Mountain restaurant
Hut with possibility to stay
overnight
Church, chapel
P Car park
Scenic view
Königsweg
Königsweg variation

Lauskopf
Mußbachalm
MARIA ALM
2 Natrun
1253
is
sl
Ur
n
bah
P
Hintermoos 959
5
Sch
warz
e
ckalm
8
t
1643
Almhäusl
lif
el
Jet
zba
ch

Gabühel
Riverside
Wiesenstadl

Grünköpfel
1709
Grießbachhütte
Lettenalm
P
Grünegg
am Hochkönig 1071
P

Klingspitz

Hochkasern 1988
2017
Statzer-Haus 
Hundstein 2117
L216
13
14
15
16
17
Sennerei Berghotel
Schweizerhütte Arthurhaus
WindrauchP
egglam
10 9
Riedingalm
Schartenhütte
13
Ghf. Sonneck
Bergghf.
Mittereggalm
B164
14
Karbachalm
17
Zachhof Alm
hn
enba
Kabinachalm
Karb
1737


Fischerstüberl
1899
Dientalm
Wastlhöhe
Bürglalm 1581

Langegg
12
P

DIENTEN
11
Archery course
Slackline park
Mining museum
Historic mine
Flying Fox Park
Toni’s Alpine Playground
Village mill & petting zoo
Nature playground
Mountain Cart
P 1342
Deantna
Almhüttn
Bü Bründlstadl
rg
la
lm
ba
hn
6
9
10
Dientner Sattel
B164
üh
ab
Ghf.
Christernreith
7
Gabühelhütte
G
Steinbock Alm
B164
Stegmoosalm
1290
ma
ch
Die Jufenalm
B164
Molterauhütte
Erichhütte
Filzensattel
Ho
3
Brandstätthütte
Pichlalm 1434
P

Natrunhütte
Auer Alm
Almbar
Hinterthal
r
6-e
P
Postalm
P
4
au
1
Do
rfj@
t
2190
Hinterthal 1016
am Steinernen Meer 800
HIGHLIGHTS
1 Hochkönig Crown
2 Natrun forest high-ropes center
3 Archery course & wildlife feeding station
4 Kneipp spa in Hinterthal
5 Grünegg café
6 “Power of the Senses”- Kirchbühel
7 “Alpine Park Dienten”
8 Hochkönig Crown
Ahornstein
1848
Schneeberg
1921
P
12
15 16
MÜHLBACH
P
11
am Hochkönig 853
ENGLISH
Long-distance hike in 4 stages alongside the Hochkönig Massif
The Königsweg
DIENTEN
MÜHLBACH
MÜHLBACH
MARIA ALM
Rest day before the “Königsetappe” stage in Mühlbach am Hochkönig
MÜHLBACH
In Mühlbach, the Mountain Village of Animals, you can enjoy your
rest day however you wish. Spend it at one of the numerous mountain
huts, visit our petting zoos or an “Open Barn Day”, and every now and
then, allow our hut hosts to treat you to regional specialties. Especially
at Mühlbach’s “Herb Huts”, you will be greeted by mouthwatering
homemade palate-pleasers. If you prefer a little more action, you can put
your skills with a bow and arrow to the test out on a 3-D archery course,
slide from tree to tree up in the Flying Fox Park, or improve your sense
of balance in the Slackline Park. Of course, you can always unwind, too,
soaking up some sunshine at the local swimming pool.
When it comes to culture, too, Mühlbach has much to offer. Take a walk
along the 2,447 m long Paussenberg Gallery, where you can admire
sculptures created by Mühlbach’s own artists out of wood, stone and
metal, or spend a day at the Mining Museum including a visit to the
historical mine.
Stage 3 / Mühlbach - Dienten
DIENTEN
Length: 13,9 km • Gains: 1239 vm • Descents: 1034 vm • Trail time: approx. 4-6 hrs.
Route description: We begin at Mühlbach tourist office, setting off to the
left past Sporthotel Harlander, then left again over the bridge, which brings
us to footpath No. 15. We follow this path to the right, past a mill with
Kneipp spa, and after 1.5 km come to the Karbachalm valley lift station.
We take the lift (please note hours of operation). Just below the mountain
lift terminal, the Karbachalm invites us to take a brief break to enjoy the
views. After taking in the mountain panoramas, we begin the actual tour
and hike uphill on path No. 15. Shortly before the mountain terminal, this
trail branches off to the left, leading us past the Mühlbach Ski Hut, briefly
across gentle alpine pastures, and finally through somewhat rocky terrain.
After an ascent of over 1,000 strenuous meters, we stand at the highest
point of this day, the summit cross of the Schneeberg (1,921 m). Here it
is worth taking a short break to truly enjoy the unique alpine vistas. From
there, flanked by bilberry bushes and windswept trees, path No. 15 drops
gently to the alpine saddle and continues past the Klausalm cros. Before it
begins to ascend again, we branch right onto path No. 57a to the Sunnhüttl.
We now continue along flat, un-forested path No. 63, accompanied by
the magnificent backdrop of the Hochkönig massif, towards Dienten.
Before we reach the mountain station for the Zachhofalm lift, this path
meets up again with path No. 15. This leads past the mountain lift station,
the Wastlhöhe summit cross (1,737 m) and across alpine pastures to the
Bürglalm. Alternatively, we can also take wide gravel path No. 63. Here
we have the option for a refreshment stop, where the host might serve us
a delicious Kaiserschmarrn dessert, perhaps as he recounts the legend of
Schneeberg
the “Golden Wagon of the Bürglalm”. But then we continue on path No.
15, now a little steeper, past the Plaudereggalm. After a short stretch of
forest, we see the picturesque mountain village of Dienten. Hiking path
No. 15 makes a left and briefly follows a forestry road downhill. The last
segment of this day-tour takes us even more steeply downhill, through a
brief patch of forest, then across meadows leading to the village itself. On
certain days, it is also possible to ride down on the Bürgelalm chairlift!
Alternative for more relaxed hikers:
We will ride the Hochkönig hiking bus (see timetable) to the Dientner
Sattel. From there, we walk past the Dientalm and take path No. 75 to
the Tiergartenalm. Here, we hike on the somewhat steeper path No. 76 to
the Sunnhüttl. From there, we again follow the trail description above to
Dienten village.
This alternative for more ambitious hikers will last
approx. 2 hrs longer (without lift ride):
Shortly before the valley station of the Karbachalmbahn, path No. 15
branches off to the left. Initially a paved driveway to a farm, later a hiking
path, this route leads more steeply uphill, mainly through forest via the
Bäckenalm to the Karbachalm. From here we again follow the route as
described.
Wastlhöhe
Bürglalm
Karbachalm-Bahn
5
10
13,2 km
DIENTEN
0 km
Stage 4 / Dienten - Maria Alm
MARIA ALM
860
m
1071
m
Start: Mühlbach tourist office • Finish: Ski center in Dienten
Length: 22,1 km • Gains: 1260 vm • Descents: 1525 vm • Trail time: approx. 8-9 hrs.
Route description: About 300 m below the tourist office, between Hotel
Hochkönig and the parsonage, is the actual start of this day’s stage. ÖAV
path No. 440 first takes us to the top of Kirchbühel hill. From here we
have picturesque views of the mountain village, with “His Majesty”, the
Hochkönig, in the background. Following path No. 440, we now hike
more steeply uphill, first across a meadow, later through forest. We cross
the forestry road and a small mountain stream, briefly continue through
forest, later across alpine pastures, coming to the Sommereralm (not
staffed). Path No. 440 leads us past this mountain hut, through a brief
patch of forest, then once again across pastures to the forest’s edge.
Alongside the forest runs a wide country path overgrown with grass,
taking us to a trail fork. We keep left and, after a short time, this path
brings us to the Lettenalm.
After a short break for refreshments, we hike left on path No. 440 as far as
the “Mühllehen Tor”. Important: The next hut, the Statzerhaus/Hundstein,
is about 3 hours’ walk away. At the Mühllehen Tor, the valley opens up
before us, and to the right we see the first striking peak, the Klingspitz
(elev. 1,988 m). After the fence, we stay right and follow path No. 440
across gentle alpine pastures up to the Marbachhöhe. At the trail fork,
path No. 14a takes us on a short, but rather steep climb to the Klingspitz.
Here, as we enjoy snacks form our own rucksack, we are rewarded by
fantastic scenery. We now continue west on path No. 14, alongside the
fence on the ridgeline. Already before our eyes, the highest peak of the
entire tour, the Hundstein. Comfortably and without any effort, gentle
high pastures bring us to the 2nd summit, the Hochkasern (2,017 m). We
pass the Hochkasern, with path No. 14 first taking us downhill, then over
a small high plateau, until we meet up with path No. 440.
After gentle up- and downhills, passing by the Ochsinger and Hundstein
See on the left side of the path, we finally tackle the main summit of
the Hundstein. Just below the summit, ÖAV trail No. 440 meets up with
access path No. 445 to the Statzerhaus. To our south, the snow-covered
peaks of the Hohe Tauern, including the Grosses Wiesbachhorn and
the Grossglockner, appear close enough to reach out and touch. After
enjoying refreshments and overwhelmed by the nature beauty of this
alpine world surrounding the Hochkönig, we begin our descent. On
Klingspitz
path No. 445, we come to a relatively flat segment, which we follow
to its conclusion (Schrambachalm). At the Schrambachalm, we follow
our original path, No. 445. Through a short patch of forest, we come
to Christernreith. However, there is also a possible variant path for No.
445, past the Lohning- and Griessbachalm. But if we really have no more
strength left, the hiking taxi (for a fare) will pick us up from Gasthaus
Christernreith. Simply call Tel.: +43 (0)6584 7191, +43 (0)6584 2121 or
+43 (0)6584 2010.
Or we hike downhill via path No. 445. After a few hairpin turns, hiking
path No. 28c branches right, taking us past the Aberg-Langeck lift
station (not in operation) and then across gentle high pastures past the
Schreineralm (not open to the public) to the Schwarzeckalm lift, where
we can ride back to the valley and Hintermoos. The hiking bus or the
hiking taxi (fare charged) will bring us back to Maria Alm.
Alternative for relaxed hikers:
As far as the Marbachhöhe (elev. 1,814 m), we follow the route as
described. From here we have marvelous views of the surrounding
mountain world. Here we take path No. 11, which leads us to the
Geralmen. The view up there is simply charming: 5 rustic mountain huts
stand next to each other. We stay on path No. 11, which leads us to the
Eggeralm, where refreshments are available. The forestry path takes us to
Hintermoos, past the National Sports School, and we follow this path as
far as Gasthof Bachschmied and the Ski Center. At the Ski Center is a bus
stop for the hiking bus back to Maria Alm.
This alternative for more ambitious hikers
will last approx. 1 hrs longer:
From Gasthof Christernreith, keep downhill on path No. 445, past
Gasthof Eberlalm until you come to the Unterberg section of Maria Alm.
Shortly before the bridge, where the access road meets the Hochkönig
Bundesstrasse, we branch left and conclude this daily stage with a
leisurely walk along the footpath to Maria Alm. After ca. 500 m, we cross
the Urslaubach, the main road, and walk straight towards the highest
church steeple (76 m) in SalzburgerLand, which is also right there in the
center of the village.
Hundstein
Hochkasern
Kirchbühel
802
m Start: Dienten • Finish: Maria Alm tourist office
0 km
5
1071 m
10
15
20
23,0 km
Tips for the Hike
Hut opening times
Equipment
Please note that hut opening times, as well as trail conditions
depending on weather, may vary. If you are uncertain, ask your
host or the tourist office.
Don’t forget ankle-high hiking boots, hiking poles, long- and
short-sleeved clothing, head covering, sun block, rain jacket,
e-Card, camera and binoculars.
Summer mountain lift & hiking bus
Bad Weather Outbreaks
On some days, you have the opportunity to shorten climbs or
hikes back down by riding a summer lift – be sure to check their
timetables. The hiking bus, too, can make many a stage quite a
bit easier.
Be cautious if bad weather sets in (storms or fog) on stages
Mühlbach - Schneeberg – Dienten and Dienten - Klingspitz Hundstein – Maria Alm.
Free with the
Hochkönig Card!
Publisher & Photos: Hochkönig Tourism
Not liable for errors or inaccuracies. Subject to change.
Trail markings
Look out for the crown symbol displayed on trail signs.