Gamsfeld
2,027 m
Austria
- Elevation
- 2,027 m
- Prominence
- 1,070 m
- Difficulty
- 2/10
- Hike
- Best Season
- Jul–Oct
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: schwer (difficult) (Gästeservice Tennengau on outdooractive.com (length and steep pasture))
The standard route from Rußbach am Pass Gschütt (about 820–850 m): forest paths and steep alpine pasture to the staffed Angerkaralm (about 1,420 m), then a steep cirque, a serpentine path over a broad saddle and a grassy ridge to the summit cross. About 1,200 m of ascent and 3 hours up; often combined with a descent via the Traunwandalm.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 6.7 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,210 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 2,027 m
- Time Up
- 4h 53m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 3h 17m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From the car park by the Rinnbach above Rußbach (about 820–850 m; small parking fee) follow the paved road a short way past the Fallenbach farm, then turn left onto a forest path. Through forest and steep meadows the path climbs to the Angerkaralm (about 1,415–1,431 m, staffed in summer), 1½–2 hours. A longer alternative follows the forest road via the Rinnbergalm. From the alm head north into a basin and then west up the steep Angerkar, a tiring climb where old snow can lie into late spring. A serpentine path leads over a broad saddle onto the ridge; follow its right-hand edge across grassy ground and swing in a wide arc left to the summit cross (2,027 m), about 1½ hours from the alm. Descend the same way, or from the 'Traunwand' junction take the steep path down the south flank to the Traunwandalm (1,338 m) and on to Rußbach (about 2½ hours down in all). The Traunwand path is the shortest ascent too, but steeper, partly on loose ground, and needs sure-footedness; it is sunny and clears of snow earlier than the Angerkar.
Start
Rinnbach car park818 m
- Postbus line 470 (Golling–Abtenau–Rußbach–Gosau) to Rußbach; trains to Golling.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rinnbach car park → Gamsfeld | 6.7 | 1,210 | 6 | 4h 53m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Rinnbach car park818 m
- Hut: Angerkaralm1,414 m
- Summit: Gamsfeld2,027 m
Key Passages
- Steep meadow below the Angerkaralm
- Angerkar cirque
- Serpentine path to the broad saddle
- Traunwand descent (sure-footedness required)
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 80%Overview
The highest summit of the Salzkammergut Mountains (2,027 m), a broad Dachstein-limestone dome above Rußbach am Pass Gschütt. Marked paths over steep alpine pasture lead to a summit with a close-up view of the Dachstein and Gosaukamm and the big Salzkammergut lakes.
The Gamsfeld rises 3.5 km north of Rußbach am Pass Gschütt, in the south-east of the Salzkammergut Mountains, between the Wolfgangsee and the Hallstätter See (each just over 10 km away). The highest point lies just inside Salzburg's Hallein district; the boundary with Strobl comes within 100 m of the summit, and Upper Austria begins a kilometre to the north-east. With almost 1,100 m of prominence over the Pass Gschütt, it is the only summit of the group above 2,000 m.
The mountain is a grassy, rounded top on a base of Dachstein limestone. From the south it is a long but straightforward hike: about 1,200 m of ascent on marked paths through forest and steep alpine meadows, either via the Angerkaralm and its cirque or more steeply via the Traunwandalm and the south flank. Both take about three hours and combine well as a loop. A longer, more demanding approach over the Neualm, Großer Brettkogel and Haberfeld has some cabled sections.
The summit is visited all year: in summer for the view over the Dachstein massif, the Gosaukamm, the Tennengebirge and the Wolfgangsee, Mondsee and Traunsee, and in winter as a popular ski tour from Rußbach.
Climbing Notes
A demanding day hike because of its length and steepness rather than any technical difficulty (T2). Fitness for 1,200 m of ascent and 5–6 hours on foot is the main requirement; sure-footedness is needed on the steep Traunwand path, especially in descent or when wet.
The south-facing slopes get hot in summer: start early, carry water, and use the Angerkaralm (staffed in summer) for refreshment. Old snow lingers in the Angerkar into late spring, while the Traunwand side clears earlier. Autumn is a popular season thanks to the sunny aspect.
In winter the Gamsfeld is a well-known ski tour from Rußbach, with the usual avalanche precautions on the steep upper slopes.
Season
Best Jul–Oct- January: Possible
- February: Possible
- March: Possible
- April: Not advisable
- May: Possible
- June: Good
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Best (best window)
- November: Possible
- December: Possible
- Jan
- Ski-touring from Rußbach; avalanche risk on steep slopes
- Feb
- Ski-touring
- Mar
- Ski-touring
- Apr
- Spring snow; transition
- May
- Old snow in the Angerkar; Traunwand side clears earlier
- Jun
- Hiking season; alms open late June
- Jul
- Summer; hot south-facing slopes, start early
- Aug
- Summer
- Sep
- Late summer and autumn are especially popular
- Oct
- Often clear, sunny days; alms closed
- Nov
- Possible before the first heavy snow
- Dec
- Ski-touring once there is enough snow
Access & Permits
- Fees
- Small parking fee at the Rinnbach car park above Rußbach (EUR 2 quoted by hoehenrausch.de)
- Getting There
Rußbach am Pass Gschütt; Abtenau
Salzburg Airport (SZG)
- By car: A10 Tauern motorway to the Golling exit, then via Abtenau towards Pass Gschütt to Rußbach; the car park is in the Rinnbach valley just north of the village
- Train to Golling, then Postbus line 470 towards Gosau to Rußbach
Hazards
- Weather
- Avalanche
Huts & Shelters
1- 1,420 m
AngerkaralmHutStaffed
Staffed in summer (late June to September per Tennengau tourism)