Schwalbenwand & Schönwieskopf Hike
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Route Description for Schwalbenwand & Schönwieskopf Hike
Start your hike at Berggasthof Mitterberg and go past the little wooden church onto the forest track (Number 82). Your aim is to reach "Schwalbenwand". Go left at the second turn and then turn right as you enter the forest trail. You will immediately start your ascent. The trail wanders through the forest, crossing the forest track every once in a while.
The narrow forest track continues up and will take you towards "Schwalbenwand", which translates into "Swallow Wall". At around 1,600m in altitude, the surroundings start to change, from forest to alpine meadows, filled with flowers and cows. The peak of the Schwalbenwand lies at 2,011 m and will give you a great view of Zell am See, the Zeller lake, and Kaprun with the Kitzsteinhorn glacier in the distance.
Continue on the other side of the peak, while following route Number 87. You will walk along the ridge between the Schwalbenwand peak and your next goal: the Schönwieskopf. This peak lies straight in front of you in a south-easterly direction at an altitude of 1,994 m. Take another break and take some photos while looking back at the Schwalbenwand.
Start your descent straight away by continuing towards the south on route Number 81. At the first cross section, turn right towards the north and follow the track, looping back on yourself for a short while. Once you hit the forest track again, follow it down into the serpentine turns.
Hike past the Hochberg alm (1,704 m) and the Schützing alm (both not managed) and follow the trail heading south. You will pass the Pointschneider alm (not managed) and then the Grieβalm (1,442 m, not managed) before you descend the last two serpentine turns ahead of arriving at Berggasthof Mitterberg again.
After your great day hiking, find a place on the terrace of Berggasthof Mitterberg, order a drink and the tasty grill plate or original Wiener Schnitzel. While restoring your energy, take in the great view of the Zeller lake below and think about the new mountain memories you have made!
Insider Hints for Schwalbenwand & Schönwieskopf Hike
- Berggasthof Mitterberg is not only a great place for food and drinks, but also a superb location to spend the night. Sit out on the terrace till sunset and look at the lights of Zell am See far below you.
- There are no options for purchasing food or water on the route. Take at least 1-liter water per person with you, much more if it is a hot day!
- The ideal mountain lunch is called "Jausern" in Austria. It consists of dried sausages called "Kaminwurst", mountain cheese, fresh mountain bread and a selection of "easy-to-eat" vegetables like cucumber and tomato. All that is missing, is a sharp knife to cut off a bite and enjoy the taste of the mountains!
- Click the link to find out more about hiking the Austrian Alps.
Getting to the Schwalbenwand & Schönwieskopf Hike Trailhead
Travel to Thumbersbach, the village opposite Zell am See on the other side of the lake. At the center of the village, take the road (Talstraße) up into the valley and follow it until you see the sign for "Berggasthof Mitterberg" on the left-hand side. Turn left onto Mitterbergweg, and follow it uphill until you reach the Berggasthof, a pleasant restaurant. If you are travelling by bus, take the bus from Zell am See to Thumbersbach and hike up to Berggasthof Mitterberg in an additional 1-1.5 hours.Route Information
When to do:
May to October
Toilets:
Berggasthof Mitterberg
Pets allowed:
Yes, but be careful when encountering cows
Family friendly:
No
Route Signage:
Average
Crowd Levels:
Moderate
Route Type:
Loop
Schwalbenwand & Schönwieskopf Hike Elevation Graph
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