Autumn time is hiking time - My favourite tours in autumn

When the temperatures become pleasantly milder – not too hot and not too cold, when the mountain world seems so near you can reach out and touch it, then the Indian summer has arrived and with it the best time for hiking.As it’s not quite so hot, I don’t have to set off too early and I can start my tour somewhat later after a sumptuous breakfast. Another advantage is, I can use the lifts to conquer the first strenuous metres uphill.

Here are a few tours, which I can recommend for your autumn hikes:3 peak conquests in one tour: high alpine hike Griessenkar – Saukarfunktel – Frauenalm – Flachau

Nice and relaxed, I head up on the Starjet 1 and 2 up to an altitude of 1,737 m, to where, just  above the mountain restaurants Latschenhof and Jandlalm, the hike starts. The trail leads past the war memorial crosses and along the “Schneid“ up to the peak cross on the Griessenkareck (1,991 m). The panoramic view from here is simply amazing and particularly in autumn the surrounding mountain world seems so near you can almost reach out and touch it.
Then on further to the 2,028 m high Saukarfunktel, which is perfect for great photos. I head back towards the Latschenhof/Jandlalm via the Saukarkopf and the Frauenalm. Those who only have time for a small circular tour, can turn off right after the Griessenkareck and hike over the Saukarriedl back to the mountain cable car station.

Hiking to the Südwienerhütte, the Spirzinger and the Spatzeck

Lots of roads lead to Rome – or up to the Südwienerhütte. It doesn’t matter whether you choose to start the tour from Untertauern or from the Gnadenalm, the Hirschwandsteig or the Wildseesteig or via the Unterpleissling or the Hafeichtalm, the idyllically situated Südwienerhütte (1,802 m), at the foot of the Spirzingers, is really a worthwhile destination, and it’s also open well into the autumn.Those looking for a peak conquest, are recommended to add Spirzinger (2,066 m) and the Spatzeck (2,065 m) as an encore.

Enjoy the autumnal blaze of colour on the Rossbrand

On the Rossbrand too there are different tour variations to choose from to suit your taste. Whether from Filzmoos, Eben or Radstadt – the 1,770 m high Rossbrand is highlight for its stunning 360 degree panoramic view, not to mention its scenic landscape. Under the motto “Nomen et omen“ (it’s all in the name) the Rossbrand (brand=blaze) is coloured in fabulous rust brown and aubergine tones.

The Lackenkogel offers one of the best views over the upper Enns Valley.

This tour can surely be described as Flachau’s classic hike. I tend to start at the Berggasthof Sattelbauer, thus saving a few metres uphill. Along the trail, leading mostly through forest, you come to the Lackenalmen, one of the most beautiful alpine pasture areas in the region. Now’s the time to take out my camera, as the alpine landscape with the Lackenkogel mountain in the background, impresses me over and over again.
A short way above the Lackenalmen, the next “photo spot” awaits. From here you have an excellent view of the “Ennskraxn“, which is reflected in the little marshy pools on this mountain ridge.
Of course, my camera is also to hand at the peak – the view over the Enns Valley is just crying out to be immortalised in a photo. A refreshment stop on this tour is possible well into late autumn. Even after the alpine summer on the Lackenalms is over and the cows and calves are back down in the valley, the Berggasthof Sattelbauer stays open until the middle/end of October. What’s your favourite tour in the autumn?

Tips & Info:

Hiking in Flachau with tour suggestions and hut opening times:

https://www.flachau.com/en/sport/hiking-biking/hiking.html
photo credits: Verena Buchsteiner und Elisabeth Hartl