The 4 Summit Experience
The Kragenjoch
A gentle start: the Kragenjoch rewards you on the very first day with a surprisingly wide panorama for a summit that at first glance appears rather inconspicuous. Moderately steep paths past lush green alpine meadows and flowering slopes of the limestone mountain make this summit the perfect introductory tour. Along the way, you will have plenty of opportunities to familiarize yourself with the Wildschönau mountains and the view far into the valley. From the summit cross on the Kragenjoch, you can already see your next three peaks.
The Kragenjoch is a fascinating sunrise mountain and the perfect starting point for a hike into the rising sunlight.
Our tip: Tip: Every Tuesday, there is a guided sunrise hike to the Kragenjoch.
Another highlight: Check out the Georg Chapel and stop by the Achentalalm. This rustic alpine hut is known for its specialties. The Tyrolean "Schmalznudeln" are especially popular - served savory with bean soup or sweet with applesauce, cranberries, and sugar.
Or simply enjoy the view again from the bench on the hill near the Achentalalm.
The Rosskopf
Our second tour takes you to the local mountain of Oberau and Niederau. You could also say that it is “the” panoramic mountain, which is prominently located in the Wildschönau and is appreciated by locals and guests alike. As a typical Tyrolean grass mountain, gentle, not too rocky meadows and alpine pastures still dominate here. The reason for the rich vegetation is hidden inside the Rosskopf, which, incidentally, can be accessed from two sides.
Tour to the RoßkopfIts enormous reservoir provides an abundance of water, nourishes the landscape, and makes the “Kasen” at the Holzalm possible in the first place. The breathtaking 360° panoramic view is the crowning glory of the second day on the summit!
Our tip: The Holzalm is the second-largest alpine pasture in the Wildschönau and is known for its delicious cheese products from its own production.
The Gratlspitze
The striking, rocky mountain marking the border with the Alpbachtal is your first encounter with alpine terrain. The trail becomes steeper, and the terrain increasingly rugged and rocky. The ascent requires some stamina—but as soon as you reach the summit, you’ll know the effort was worth it.
You are now standing on the border to the Alpbachtal valley. The Gratlspitze was once a center of mining in the region. Silver and copper were mined here as early as the Middle Ages, and traces of this era can still be found today, such as old tunnels, spoil heaps, and the occasional remains of miners' houses. Information boards along the way point this out. Attentive hikers will not overlook the green-turquoise shimmering rock around the Gratlspitze.
Tip: Treat yourself to a break on the scenic bench “Erna’s Rast” and gather your strength once more for the final ascent to the summit.
Tour to the Gratlspitze
It is the highest point in the Wildschönau - and standing up there feels just like it. The Großer Beil marks the alpine finale of the four stages. Here, you can look back on the previous stages. First, the trail takes you across beautiful mountain meadows and through the idyllic pastures of the Gressensteinalm before you get to experience the rugged and wild side of the Wildschönau. On the way to the summit, the green of the alpine pastures blends with the gray and yellow of the lichen-covered, jagged rocks.
Our tip: Be sure to make a detour to the Gressenstein waterfall and take a look at the Glockhausstein, where, according to legend, the devil's claws are visible.
Our tip for a stop: Stop by the Schönangeralm and then visit the Schönangeralm show dairy right next door. Enjoy regional delicacies and take a piece of Wildschönau home with you in the form of high-quality cheese.
