Austria may seem small, but when you’re up in the mountains enjoying the spectacular views, it seems as if the country consists of nothing but endless mountains. These feelings of being in the mountains far away from civilization are hard to describe. You have to experience it yourself. This hiking guide about a 4-day-tour in Lungau gives you a glimpse of it.
It is the perfect hike to unwind and take in the endless nature.
Lungau is part of the federal state of Salzburg. With its surrounding mountains it seems a little bit isolated. Especially when you check the bus schedule, you can feel isolated. But if you take your time you can even reach and leave Lungau with public transport.
Generally information about the 4-day hike
The daily hikes are medium difficult I would say. If you never did a proper hike it might be challenging. But the first day is easy and will build up from there. Daily walking time is around 3-5 hours, the time can be extended depending on your breaks. Additionally you can add walks if you haven’t had enough.
When it comes to packing you should make sure to bring your hiking boots, made some slippers for the hut, a good backpack, rain cover, a hut sleeping bag (which is a very thin sleeping bag, the huts usually have blankets but without sheets, so should use your sleeping bag before covering with their blankets.)
Bring a small first aid kit with blister patches. Pack your swim suit, sun screen, warm layer of clothing for the huts, a cap, enough money for your stays in the huts. And very important enough snacks as fuel.
Starting point of a 4-day hike in the Austrian alps
From Rotgülden to the Sticklerhütte
2 hours hike
Forest road also used by cars
A steady climb, steep in places
The starting point of a 4-day hike in the Austrian alps is Rotgülden. There is a bus going there, bus number 710 with Muhr Rotgülden as the last stop. From there a forest road leads uphill. From all the hiking paths this is the most unexciting one. On this broad road even some cars go on. Further and further you reach the upper parking lot. From there driving to the Stickler hut isn’t allowed for the general public. Also here begins a steep part winding partly through the forest uphill. In between the path is flattening, before you reach the hut it is going uphill again.
The Sticklerhütte has a nice outside area with hens in a fenced area. Here you can relax and unwind.
From there you have the option to hike further to the Mur Ursprung, the origin of the river Mur. This “hike” is not difficult at all. First of all you can leave most of your stuff at the hut. Then you walk towards a valley. Here, the path winds its way alongside the river into the valley. It is mostly flat. The views are stunning and you can only hear the sounds of nature and your foodsteeps on the ground. Enjoy that feeling and the amazing path. Because the next day will be more challenging.
The Sticklerhütte has a relatively small room where they serve you dinner and breakfast. There are rolls, joghurt, cereals, jam, cheese and butter. Just an ordinary breakfast buffet. But keep on hiking because I tell you a little secret the best comes at the end.
2nd day – hike over the saddle
From the Sticklerhütte to the Zauneralm
4 hours hike
Hiking path with sheep and annoying cows
Steep uphill and downhill, amazing mountain views
After a hopeful good night rest and strengthening breakfast a long ascend awaits you. If it is a hot day make sure you start early. The path leads all the way up to the saddle.
You might see sheep and come across a shepherd’s hut. And finally after another steep stretch with stairs you reach the saddle, a stunning view opens up. And you can even see the Franz-Fischer-Hütte, your next day’s destination.
A long descent awaits you. Before that starts you walk through the cow meadows. Be aware the cows can be very pushy but they don’t do anything. Don’t show any fear. If they come too close, use a stick or clap your hands to scare them away.
Before the descent there is a small lake and depending where the cows roam it is also a nice spot for a midday break.
The way down to the Zauneralm is long. Take your time and take breaks. Hiking uphill seems also challenging but shouldn’t be underestimated. But right after the descent on the gravel road is the Zauneralm. The Alm is a place where the hosts of the hut not only cook and serve food for hikers but also has an animal husbandry. In this case they had cows. So for everyone who wants to enjoy cow milk products, for instance blueberry milk, that’s the place. The owners also make products with herbs. We requested a vegan half board and the hosts were super accommodating.
During dinner, which we ate outside, horses came down the street, with the evening light it seemed surreal. Especially if you grew up in an Austrian area with mainly cows. That was one of the many beautiful moments of the hike in the Austrian alps.
Alternatively if the Zauneralm doesn’t have availability there is a bit further down the gravel road the Königalm.
The best at the end – hike from Zauneralm to Franz-Fischer-Hütte
From the Zauneralm to the Franz-Fischer-Hütte
4-5 hours hike
At the beginning gravel road and then hiking path
Long stretch uphill, up and down through the alpine landscape, after the descent mostly moderate
At the Zauneralm you are most likely to wake up like we did, to the smell of cows. But what a good night’s rest after a long day of hiking. If it is sunny make sure you start today’s hike early, so you don’t have to hike uphill in the hot midday sun.
Doesn’t matter if you are having a vegan or conventional breakfast – it will be for sure a hearty breakfast at the Zauneralm.
We strapped on our backpacks and walked right up the path that led us to Haselloch. On the way up we greeted the horses from yesterday. Steeper and steeper along the way, blueberries smiled at us. And we smiled back.
From the Zauneralm walk over the cattle grid and after that you leave the gravel road and walk right into the path at the meadow it will lead you onto another gravel path. Soon the hiking path appears with typical red-white-red marking. In the beginning it will cross the gravel road a few times, but then it isolates itself and it seems that you are walking in the opposite direction of your next hut. But don’t worry that path leads you to Haselloch which is a little pond. From there another path leads to the Tapenkarsee.
But you have to follow the path that turns right, another uphill, but this will turn into a mostly moderate-flat path. This hiking path is winding along the mountain slope with outstanding views and with the tranquillity of nature.
Half way to the Franz-Fischer-Hütte there is the Iglsee. A great spot for a break and refreshment. Enjoy this path as long as you can. That was the most beautiful part of the whole 4-day-hike.
At certain points, the hiking trail descends. After a while, you can see the Franz-Fischer-Hütte.
The Franz-Fischer-Hütte was for sure one of the highlights of the hike. The hut is newly renovated and hosts make you feel welcome immediately. The food is beyond delicious. If you arrive in the afternoon already make sure to taste some of the vegan cakes. It is one of the first mountain huts in Austria that changed its offer to vegetarian-vegan. To be honest there are more vegan dishes than vegetarian.
The three course dinner is amazing. Due to the newly renovated hut, the atmosphere of the sleeping facilities was very pleasant. The view right out of the bed was breathtaking.
The Franz-Fischer-Hütte also has a lake called the Zaunersee. You can go for a swim there, too. However, it’s not an especially impressive alpine lake.
Last day of the hike in the Austrian alps
Franz-Fischer-Hütte to the Schliersee
4 hours
Hiking path, last path on a forest road
Amazing landscape before the ascent, leading into the forest before reaching the lake
The first stretch of the path is just as the one of the day before. Moderate-flat hiking trail leading through amazing landscapes. Very soon you pass by Essersee. Here you can take a dip or some pictures.
After a while the path leads a steep stretch down. This path is rocky with big steeps, so it’s a little hard to climb down.
After a while you cross a meadow and the hiking trail leads into a forest road. To the left leads the path to the Jakoberalm (which was closed during our hike). Keep right to follow the road down. Another long downhill stretch through the forest.
Soon you reach the lake, or the path ends right at the beginning of the parking lot of the lake. You can walk along the road to reach the lake. Next to the playground you can also have a dip into the refreshing lake. Nothing better than a refreshing bath in a mountain lake after a hike.
There is also an information center, a typical Austrian Gasthaus and a bus stop. From there you can take the bus back to civilization.
I hope this guide helps you to plan your trip. There are multiple other trails that can be combined. Enjoy your hiking days in the Austrian alps.
The author of the blog
Lisi is an adventurous, mostly solo traveler from Austria. She likes to travel slowly, discover underrated countries/regions, and of course, learn about cultures. She has been traveling the world and creating travel content since 2016. With a degree in tourism management and a passion for travel and cultures, she wants to tell stories that inspire her readers and help them travel more consciously.
