The Hoch Tirol Ski Route

The queen of all ski routes

The Hoch Tirol ski route is arguably the most impressive and most breath-taking high mountain crossing in the East Alps. More than 18,000 metres altitude and over 90 kilometers are covered over six days.

 

A classic ski tour taking you up the mountain and after conquering the summit, back to the valley again. Yet the Hoch Tirol ski route is not a classic ski tour. On the Hoch Tirol ski route you stay the night in accommodation which is right on the mountain and in bothies located at above 2000 metres, there is even one at 2801 metres (Stüdlhütte on stage 5). The challenging ski route starts in Kasern in South Tyrol and proceeds across the summits of the Venediger mountains to the highest mountain in Austria, the Großglockner (3798m). An overwhelming sensation is guaranteed here when you arrive at the final stage, Kals am Großglockner! The feat you have just achieved, the proximity to the forces of nature around the glacier and the many summits conquered will be etched in your memory.

High alpine ski route with the most beautiful peaks of the eastern Alps

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The hut Essener Rostocker-Hütte
The hut Essener Rostocker-Hütte
This view awaits you at the end of the first day stage, after around 7.5 hours of walking time and an ascent of 1720 altitude metres.
The Venediger group
The Venediger group
The first 3 stages of the Hoch Tirol route, you are in the Venediger group. It is the mountain group with the most glaciers in the Hohe Tauern.
Fitness is required – on each day stage!
Fitness is required – on each day stage!
The 6-day tour requires considerable endurance, but is rewarded every day with a 3000-metre peak.
Stüdelhütte
Stüdelhütte
The Stüdelhütte hut at 2802 m is the destination on stage 5.
Kleinglockner
Kleinglockner
Kleinglockner, the adjacent peak to Großglockner.
Großglockner: to the majestic peak
Großglockner: to the majestic peak
The challenging ski tour on the highest mountain in Austria has to be mastered on the last day stage.
Lucknerhaus in Ködnitztal
Lucknerhaus in Ködnitztal
The descent from Großglockner leads you to the finish point of the Hoch Tirol ski route, Lucknerhaus.

Check out the Hoch Tirol ski route on our interactive map

Hoch Tirol

starting point:
Kasern / Südtirol
destination point:
Kals am Großglockner
🔋
altitude meters uphill
9230 hm
distance
92 km

Alpin huts on the ski route Hoch Tirol

infrastructure.name
open today
Alpengasthof Lucknerhaus 1.920m
Glor-Berg 16
9981 Kals am Großglockner
infrastructure.name
open today
Alpengasthof Matreier Tauernhaus 1.512m
infrastructure.name
Berghotel Rudolfshütte 2.315m
infrastructure.name
open today
Essener-Rostocker Hütte 2.208m
Maurertal 1
9974 Prägraten am Grossvenediger
infrastructure.name
open today
Johannishütte 2.121m
Hinterbichl 19 b
9974 Prägraten a.G.
infrastructure.name
open today
Stüdlhütte 2.802m
Glor-Berg 18
9981 Kals am Großglockner

Further information:

Baggage transfer: there is no baggage transfer available on the Hoch Tirol ski route.
Current weather situation: Osttirol weather
Avalanche situation: Avalanche report European region Tyrol – South Tyrol - Trentiono
Current trail conditions and information about blocks and detours: contact the respective mountain hut or the tourist information office

Day 1: Setting off into a magnificent mountain world

From Kasern in the South Tyrolean Arntal valley you head over Umbaltörl to Osttirol and over Reggentörl to the Essener Rostocker chalet.

Duration: approx. 7.5 hours; altitude difference: 1720 metres

Hoch Tirol stage 1: From Kasern in South Tyrol to Essener Rostocker-Hütte

starting point:
Kasern
destination point:
Essener-Rostocker-Hütte
🔋
altitude meters uphill
1630 hm
walking time uphill
6:30 h
distance
12.9 km

Day 2: In the presence of the ice giants

The ski tour with impressive landscape leads after a flat start to the western ridge of Großer Geiger (ski depot) and on to the Großer Geiger at 3360 m. Down over Türmljoch to the Johannishütte chalet.

Duration: approx. 6.5 hours; altitude difference: 1152 m

Hoch Tirol stage 2: Essener Rostocker-Hütte to Johannishütte

starting point:
Essener-Rostocker-Hütte
destination point:
Johannishütte
🔋
altitude meters uphill
1120 hm
walking time uphill
5:30 h
distance
11.6 km

Day 3: To the "Weltalte Majestät" (Ancient Majesty) at 3657 m

On the third day, a highlight of the Hoch Tirol ski route awaits you, namely ascending Großvenediger (3657 m), the fourth-highest mountain in Austria. Caution when descending across Schlatenkee, due to an increased risk of crevasses! A descent of 2000 altitude metres past the new Pranger Hütte chalet to Innergschlöss, the most beautiful head of a valley in Austria! A flat route continues to Matreier Tauernhaus.

Duration: approx. 8 hours; altitude difference: 1553 m.

Hoch Tirol stage 3: Johannishütte – Großvenediger – Matreier Tauernhaus

starting point:
Johannishütte
destination point:
Matreier Tauernhaus
🔋
altitude meters uphill
1530 hm
walking time uphill
6 h
distance
20.5 km

Day 4: Rewarded with a panorama

From the Matreier Tauernhaus, a taxi takes you to the south portal of the Felbertauern tunnel. The Hoch Tirol route leads in a northeasterly direction to Stubacher Sonnblick (3088 m) and on to the Rudolfshütte hut.
Duration: approx. 7 hours; altitude difference: 1925 metres

Hoch Tirol stage 4: Matreier Tauernhaus – Rudolfshütte

starting point:
Matreier Tauernhaus
destination point:
Rudolfshütte (2311m)
🔋
altitude meters uphill
1830 hm
walking time uphill
5:30 h
distance
13.4 km

Day 5: Steep downhill – continuation on the flat

A leisurely ascent to Grantspitze 3086 m (ski depot). Descent over the south slope to Dorfersee and on through the flat Dofertal to Kalser Tauerwirt. A taxi takes you to Lucknerhaus, from where it is about 2.5 hours to Stüdlhütte.

Duration: approx. 8 hours; altitude difference: 1656 m

Hoch Tirol stage 5: Rudolfshütte – Stüdlhütte

starting point:
Rudolfshütte (
destination point:
Stüdlhütte (2.802m)
🔋
altitude meters uphill
1670 hm
walking time uphill
6:30 h
distance
22.8 km

Day 6: The crowning peak

The crowning finale of the Hoch Tirol ski route, Großglockner at 3789 m, awaits you on day 6. From Stüdlhütte you cross Ködnitzkee, on to Glocknerleitl to Kleinglockner, descent to Glocknerscharte and finally to the peak of Großglockner. Caution: climbing skills are essential. Descent to the end of the Hoch Tirol ski route, Lucknerhaus.

Duration: approx. 6.5 hours; altitude difference: 997 m

Hoch Tirol stage 6: Stüdlhütte – Großglockner – Kals am Großglockner

starting point:
Stüdlhütte (2.802m)
destination point:
Alpengasthof Lucknerhaus (1.9
🔋
altitude meters uphill
930 hm
walking time uphill
5:30 h
distance
11.5 km

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