The „Almen“ of the Gasteinertal valley

Located at the entrance to the Gastein Valley, the holiday resort has retained its pleasant village character. With comfort and traditional customs, Dorfgastein offers a relaxed start to your hiking week. At the hotel you will receive your travel documents (maps, further information, vouchers, etc.).
You can park your car free of charge for the hiking period and can also leave luggage at the hotel or leave it in the car, which you do not need for the 4-day hut tour.
(2 nights in Dorfgastein)

Today's circular hike takes you through the district of Mühlbach. Across meadows and an extensive spruce forest, the trail climbs steadily along the Maierhofener Almweg. Far above the Gastein Valley at over 1500 meters above sea level, the famous Steiner Hochalm is enthroned. Picture-book panoramas are omnipresent, such as those of the peaks of the Hohe Tauern. The alpine pasture is ideal for a culinary hiking break; fresh, deliciously fragrant farmer's doughnuts are prepared daily at the wood-fired oven. After this refreshment, you climb back down to the valley on the sunny side of Dorfgastein with a wonderful view over the Gastein Valley.   
Hiking: 5,5 hours (approx. 12 km, ascent: 730 m in height / descent: 730 m in height)

Today's stage requires good physical condition, rewards you with a unique landscape and scores above all with your excellent alpine snack from the farm that the hut belongs to. From Dorfgastein, the route climbs vigorously to the oldest crossing into the Gastein Valley and the Drei-Waller-Chapel. The following section along the ridge to the south to the Rauchkögerl with a wonderful view of the Salzach Valley is pleasant. Via the Amoser Hochalm and the Bettlersteig, you march over gentle mountain ridges and through idyllic mountain primeval forests towards the striking summit of the Bernkogel and the Heinreichalm. A special feature here is its own beautiful alpine lake as well as a good opportunity to observe wild animals such as chamois and marmots.
Hiking: 8 hours (approx. 14,5 km, ascent: 1,470 m in height / descent: 630 m in height)

Alternative hike
Alternatively, you can also climb past the Kokaseralm on a more direct route to the Heinreichalm.
Hiking: 4 hours (approx. 10 km, ascent: 850 m in height / descent: 20 m in height)

(alternatively: on the 2-kilometer and 45-minute longer ascent via the Präau Hochalm)

(1 night at the Heinreichalm)

From the Heinreichalm you hike up to the chapel of the same name first thing in the morning. This is a special place of power. The high-altitude trail now runs across alpine meadows to the 150-year-old, managed Präau Alm, which invites you to take a leisurely break. Other alpine pastures follow, such as the Wölfalm and the Gröbneralm as well as the Walchalm, which are not managed, but serve as accommodation for the alpine farmers when they look after the grazing cattle. After a vigorous ascent, you can enjoy the view of Bad Hofgastein and Bad Gastein. The weather cross invites you to linger while enjoying the panorama. From here you can already see the stage destination, the Biberalm, with probably the most beautiful view of the Gastein Valley and the graceful Hohe Tauern in the background.

(1 night at the Biberalm)

Hiking: 5 hours (approx. 10 km, ascent: 802 m in height / decent: 756 m in height)

Hardly any other place in the Gastein Valley is as suitable for experiencing the sunrise in all its splendour as the Biberalm. Today you follow an old connecting path to the Kerscherhütte and Kompberghütte, where you can enjoy the idyll of a mountain village. Through a beautiful and secluded valley incision, the Hytongasteig leads into a forest scented with moss, mushrooms and trees.  Later you will pass three managed alpine pastures. The murmur of the Leidalmbach stream and the shade of a mixed forest now accompany the path for a while. Then it goes up to the small saddle and the wide path becomes a narrow path step by step before you reach the Brandner Alm, which is also managed. Accompanied by chamois and eagles, the alpine path continues to the Hofgasteinerhaus.

(1 night in the Hofgasteinerhaus)

Hiking: 5 hours (approx. 8,5 km, ascent: 787 m in height / decent: 558 m in height)

After a hearty mountain breakfast, you will leave the Hofgasteinerhaus. Unique plateau landscapes, hidden rock creatures and the "Schlossalmblick" viewing platform make today's hiking day a promising start. In summer, cows graze on the wide area of the Schlossalm in order to maintain and preserve biodiversity. On the way to the Hirschenhütte, with a bit of luck, you can observe bearded vultures in the sky, which were reintroduced to the Hohe Tauern National Park in the 1980s. At the end of today's hiking day, enjoy a hearty snack in the Hirschenhütte before you take the bus transfer (according to the timetable) to Bad Hofgastein and from there the public bus to Dorfgastein to your starting point. (Total bus costs approx. 11 euros; taxi transfers from the hut owner are also offered).

(1 night in Dorfgastein)

Hiking: 4 hours (approx. 10 km, ascent: 371 m in height / decent: 1,135 m in height)

Surrounded by lush green meadows, Dorfgastein is a real hiker's paradise. Around 115 kilometres of hiking trails are waiting to be explored. For example, it is a good idea to explore the Fulseck, the local mountain of the village, and discover places of power as well as various themed trails. Additional nights can be booked. Otherwise, the return journey will take place today.