Admonter Reichenstein
Accessible by public transportCharacteristics
SkillThe tour in numbers
According to the trail sign, the ascent is described as a via ferrata without safety devices. Up to the memorial cross on a path, then through scree to the key point (Herzmann-Kupfer-Platte); the ascent is only marked again after the key point.
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We begin the tour with an easy 2-hour hike from Johnsbach to the Mödlinger Hut. Depending on the time of day, it's worth stopping here for breakfast or a snack. If it's already late, it's better to spend the night at the Mödlinger Hut and start the most challenging hiking route in the Gesäuse well-rested the next morning.
From the Mödlinger Hut, we follow a forest trail past Treffner Lake to the Heldenkreuz (Hero’s Cross), which takes about an hour. Here we enjoy the magnificent view of the Johnsbach Valley and the Gesäuse mountains one last time. The hiking trail ends here, and the path now climbs more steeply toward the Pfarrmauer, reaching a spring at 1880 meters.
We then traverse westward to a memorial cross. This is followed by a long traverse across rocky terrain on the southern side of the Totenköpfl. After the third rock rib, we reach a shoulder. Now comes the key section: below a large overhanging rock head, we climb diagonally down across a slab. Next is a ravine, followed by a 4-meter-high crack (grade II).
At the vertical summit wall, we turn left again and pass a sinkhole, then cross scree to reach the summit of the Admonter Reichenstein.
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In the Gesäuse you are mobile in summer even without your own car. One call to t: +43 3613 2100099 is all it takes: During operating hours, the Gesäuse shared taxi will take you to any destination in the Gesäuse - without any timetable or stops. Www.gesaeuse.at/mobil