Full Moon Endurance Hike in Southern Dachstein

Join a small group of like-minded hikers for a summer farewell endurance hiking trip through the southern part of the Dachstein mountain range (Dachsteingebirge), crossing the regions of Styria and Salzburg, on Saturday–Sunday, September 26–27.

We will start our trip in the early hours of Saturday morning by taking a scenic train-and-bus ride from Vienna to the Walcheralm pasture at the foot of the impressive Dachstein South Wall, arriving just in time to witness the traditional Almabtrieb. Almabtrieb (autumn cattle drive) is a centuries-old Alpine tradition marking the end of the summer grazing season, when farmers bring their cattle down from the high mountain pastures to the valley. The animals are often beautifully decorated with flowers, greenery and bells, turning their descent into a festive local celebration.

After properly cheering on the cows and checking out the latest cow fashion trends, we will start the daylight part of our hike at the foot of the Dachstein South Wall and Gosaukamm, heading westwards towards Hofpürgl Hut (1,705 m). During the daytime hike, expect to witness the impressive and dramatic landscapes of the southern Dachstein, including numerous prominent peaks such as Hoher Dachstein (2,995 m), Hunerkogel (2,687 m), the Bischofsmütze twin peaks (2,458 m / 2,430 m) and Rötelstein (2,247 m). Expect quintessentially Alpine landscapes with gentle pastures, numerous mountain huts and a dramatic backdrop of countless peaks. Along the way, we will make a stop for an open-air picnic lunch.

We will reach Hofpürgl Hut (1,705 m), at the foot of the Bischofsmütze (Bishop’s Mitre) twin peak, just in time for a traditional dinner at the mountain hut. After sunset, we will continue our hike eastwards towards an impressive natural geomorphological formation known as the Dachstein Gate. The special effects for our nighttime hiking will be provided by September’s full moon, also known as the Harvest Moon, allowing us to witness the moonlit limestone walls of the Dachstein in the dark of night. During the night, we will make multiple short breaks for photos, snacks and skygazing, depending on the weather conditions.

Just before sunrise, we will reach a famous local curiosity – the summit mailbox (Gipfelbriefkasten), installed at an elevation of 1,955 m. After posting postcards to ourselves back in Vienna, we will start our sunrise descent towards Ramsau, passing by impressive rock formations known as the Stone Virgins or Stone Maidens (Steinerne Jungfrauen). Back in Ramsau, we will take a bus-and-train ride back home to Vienna, with an expected arrival around noon on Sunday.

Expect a demanding but highly rewarding endurance hike, combining multiple activities with impressive Alpine scenery throughout the journey.

🤔 FITNESS REQUIREMENTS: HARD 🔴 This demanding full-day-and-night adventure requires a strong level of endurance and previous experience with long mountain days. You should be comfortable completing a 25–35 km route with around 1500–2500 m of elevation gain and descent. If you are new to longer alpine hikes, it is recommended to first join shorter or less demanding routes to assess your fitness and ability to manage extended climbs and descents.

🌄 WHAT TO EXPECT We will start our hike at the Walcheralm pasture at the foot of the impressive Dachstein South Wall and follow a scenic route through the southern part of the Dachstein mountain range, continuing into the night under the September full moon before descending towards Ramsau for our journey back to Vienna. The highlights along the course include: • Scenic train-and-bus ride from Vienna to the Dachstein South Wall 🚌🚆 • Traditional Almabtrieb at Walcheralm 🐄 • Impressive Dachstein South Wall and Gosaukamm 🏔️ • Panoramic views of Hoher Dachstein (2,995 m), Hunerkogel (2,687 m), Bischofsmütze (2,458 m / 2,430 m) and Rötelstein (2,247 m) 🏔️ • Quintessentially Alpine landscapes with mountain pastures and traditional mountain huts 🌄 • Traditional dinner…