Gamsstein
1,774 m
Austria
Also known as HochkogelAlso known as
Hochkogel
- Elevation
- 1,774 m
- Prominence
- 1,088 m
- Difficulty
- 2/10
- Hike
- Best Season
- Sep–Oct
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: challenging (schwer) (Steiermark Tourismus / Gesäuse)
A long, steep but technically easy hike of about 1,240 m from Palfau in the Salza valley: meadows and forest to the Naturfreunde hut (about 1,020 m), then a steep path up the Hühnerriegel ridge to the summit cross (1,770 m) and a few minutes west along the ridge to the true high point, the Hochkogel (1,774 m). Often done as a loop via the Moaralm.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 5.0 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,227 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 1,774 m
- Time Up
- 4h 46m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 3h 10m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Start in Palfau (about 530–560 m), either at the church car park west of the centre or near the Gasthof Stiegenwirt. From the church follow the road to the Bergbauer farmsteads, then the marked path north over moderately steep meadows and through mixed forest to the Naturfreunde hut (Lackneralmhütte, about 1,020 m), open at weekends from May to September. The alternative start via path 284 climbs a gravel road to the Moaralm (975 m) and a level panorama path to the same hut. Above the hut the path climbs the Hühnerriegel, the south-south-east ridge, steeply through forest in zigzags, with roots and stones and in places faint waymarks, to the tree line. The last section climbs the summit slope between two steep cirques to the ridge, about 20 m east of the summit cross on the Gamsstein (1,770 m). The Hochkogel, at 1,774 m the true high point, is about 200 m further west, along the flat dwarf-pine crest or across rocky, steep grass to its left, which needs sure footing. Descend the same way, or make a loop: north-east along the Styria–Lower Austria border on path 284 to the junction with path 64 from Hollenstein, then south on 284 past a hunting hut to the upper and lower Moaralm and back to Palfau. Signposts give about 4 hours up and 2½ hours down; the loop is 15 km with about 1,240 m of ascent.
Start
Palfau church car park576 m
- In summer the Gesäuse shared taxi (+43 3613 2100099) runs from Selztal, Liezen or Kleinreifling stations to Palfau
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Palfau church car park → Hochkogel (Gamsstein) | 5.0 | 1,227 | 29 | 4h 46m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Palfau church car park576 m
- Feature: Bergbauer1,023 m
Farmsteads; start of the marked path north
- Summit: Hochkogel (Gamsstein)1,774 m
Key Passages
- Steep zigzags up the Hühnerriegel
- Summit slope between two cirques
- Ridge from the summit cross to the Hochkogel
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 75%Overview
A broad, grassy limestone ridge on the Styria–Lower Austria border above Palfau, with the summit cross at 1,770 m and the true top, the Hochkogel, at 1,774 m. A long, steep but easy day hike with about 1,240 m of ascent and wide views over the Gesäuse and Ybbstal Alps.
The Gamsstein rises north of Palfau in the Salza valley, on the border between Styria and Lower Austria, in the Ybbstal Alps near the Gesäuse. Its summit ridge carries several tops: the summit cross on the Gamsstein proper (1,770 m), the Hochkogel about 200 m to the west, which at 1,774 m is the true high point, and the Gamssteineck (1,766 m). With over 1,000 m of prominence it is one of the more independent summits of the region.
The usual ascent is from Palfau to the south, past the Naturfreunde hut and up the steep Hühnerriegel ridge. It is graded T2: marked paths throughout, no technical sections, but 1,240 m of ascent, a steep forest climb with roots and loose stones, and some faint waymarking. A gentler, longer approach comes from the Sandgraben near Hollenstein an der Ybbs on the Lower Austrian side.
The mountain is quiet and has no facilities above the Naturfreunde hut, which opens only at weekends in summer. In winter it is climbed as a ski tour, usually from Palfau over the Hühnerriegel.
Climbing Notes
Fitness for a 6–7½ hour day with about 1,250 m of ascent is the main requirement. The path above the hut is steep and on south-facing slopes, so start early on hot days and carry plenty of water. The short crossing to the Hochkogel over rocky, steep grass needs sure footing; it can be avoided by following the dwarf-pine crest.
The loop via the border ridge and the Moaralm is a good way to avoid repeating the steep Hühnerriegel on descent. In late autumn shaded sections may be icy; in winter, assess avalanche conditions on the open upper slopes before skiing it.
Season
Best Sep–Oct- January: Possible
- February: Possible
- March: Possible
- April: Not advisable
- May: Good
- June: Best
- July: Good
- August: Good
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Best (best window)
- November: Possible
- December: Possible
- Jan
- Ski tour from Palfau for the experienced
- Feb
- Ski touring; check the avalanche bulletin
- Mar
- Ski touring
- Apr
- Snowmelt
- May
- Naturfreunde hut opens at weekends; snow possible near the top
- Jul
- Hot on the south-facing ascent; thunderstorms
- Aug
- Hot on the south-facing ascent; thunderstorms
- Sep
- Hut open at weekends until September
- Oct
- No refreshments; first snow possible near the summit
- Nov
- Frozen paths in shaded sections
- Dec
- Ski touring once snow cover is sufficient
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- The Naturfreunde Lackneralmhütte is open at weekends from May to September; no booking needed for a day visit.
- Getting There
Palfau (Landl); Hieflau and Hollenstein an der Ybbs are nearby
Linz (LNZ); Graz (GRZ)
- By car from Vienna: A1 to Amstetten, then B121, B115 and L714 to Palfau; from Graz: A9 to Traboch, then road 115 and B25
- Public transport: in summer the Gesäuse shared taxi (+43 3613 2100099) from Selztal, Liezen or Kleinreifling railway stations; timetables on oebb.at and busbahnbim.at
- Alternative trailhead: Sandgraben car park near Oberkirchen, Hollenstein an der Ybbs (path 64)
Hazards
- Weather
- Avalanche