Alpine Tour: “Untersberg via Dopplersteig”

Scenic tour up to the top of Untersberg and further to Salzbuger Hochthron via the impressive Dopplersteig

The tour starts at the bus station Glanegg Ortsmitte and first the trail AV Weg 410 southwards following the road heading towards the already visible Untersberg. The very well marked tour then heads through the forest towards the start of the Dopplersteig. The Dopplersteig first ascends using stairs and then follows a relatively easy trail alongside the Rosittenbach river. The trail becomes more and more alpine and uses very often demanding stairs (either wooden stairs, carved out of stone or iron ladders) till finally reaching the impressive alpine pasture of Obere Rositten. The water source as well as the scenic view from there invite for a break before the trail heads directly to the impressive rock wall. Again, the trail ascends using steep stairs (wooden or carved out of stone), this time very exposed but well protected with fix ropes till finally reaching the Taxhamer Kreuz with its very impressive view towards the city of Salzburg. The route then continues following the easy trail 10 southwards towards the Zeppezauerhaus. After a well-deserved break, the tour then continues following the trail which leads directly up to the mountain station of the cable car and the impressive summit of Geiereck close-by. But before, the tour continues following the trail southwards on an easy gravel road towards the summit of Salzburger Hochthron, allowing an amazing distance view to Watzmann.
The tour then follows the gravel road back, up to Geiereck and then to the mountain station of the cable car. The descent is done using the cable car.

Please note that this is an alpine tour using an easy via ferrata (Cat. A). A sure foot, no fear of heights and being in excellent shape is mandatory! The upper part is very dangerous when wet and should only be done in dry conditions!

Personal note:
Untersberg in a day from Vienna:
I’ve planned to accomplish this tour on a single day, starting in Vienna and returning to Vienna on the same day and take advantage of the Klimaticket and the excellent public transport.
I had to start very early and departed from Vienna at 06:28 and used the following means of public transportation:

Railjet Express from Wien Hauptbahnhof (06:28) Salzburg Hauptbahnhof (08:53)
Obus 5 from Salzburg Hauptbahnhof (09:01) Salzburg Makartplatz (09:07)
Stadtbus 21 from Salzburg Makartplatz (09:15) Glanegg Ortsmitte (09:39)

I descent using the cable car and again used public transportation to make it back to Vienna:

Obus 5 from Gröding Untersbergbahn (14:23) Salzburg Hauptbahnhof (14:55)
Railjet Express from Salzburg Hauptbahnhof (15:07) Wien Hauptbahnhof (17:32)

Tour Description

00:00	Start at the bus station Glanegg Ortsmitte and follow the main street southwards.
00:05	At the crossing, keep left and turn into the smaller street heading towards the car parking. Bypass the car parking and continue following the gravel road southwards.
00:15	At the end of the street, keep left and turn into the Dopplersteig (see signposts). Now ascend following the Dopplersteig. Please be aware that this trail is only accessible in summer!
01:30	Enter the amazing alpine pasture of Obere Rositten. Consider finding a shady place and refill your water supplies at the water source.
01:40	At the crossing, keep straight (slightly right) and follow the trail heading directly to the big wall.
01:45	Ascend via the steep trail using the wooden and carved out stairs. Enjoy the view from this exposed but scenic trail!
02:00	Enjoy the amazing view from the Taxhamer Kreuz (summit cross). You can look directly down into the city of Salzburg from here!
02:05	Continue following the trail southwestwards heading to the summit of Untersberg. At the crossing, turn left and now follow the much easier trail 10 southwards.
02:20	Well-deserved break () at Zeppezauerhaus.
03:00	Continue following the trail southwards up to the already visible mountain station of the cable car.
03:10	Bypass the mountain station and follow the trail southwards, mainly on a gravel road.
03:15	Keep right and follow the marked trail heading directly to the summit of Salzburger Hochthron.
03:20	Enjoy the amazing view (towards Watzmann) from Salzburger Hochthron. Obviously best enjoyed with a self-brought refreshment ().
03:30	Head back to the mountain station of the cable car using the same way.
03:40	Just before the restaurant, keep right and follow the trail up to the summit of Geiereck. After a few meters, enjoy the amazing view (towards Dachstein) from Geiereck.
03:45	Head back on the trail towards the mountain station of the cable car.
03:50	Buy a ticket and descend back to the valley using the cable car. End of the tour.

At a glance

Level	easy-moderate alpine
Technique
Shape / Fitness
Experience
Scenery
Best time in the year
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

General Tour Data

Area:		Berchtesgadner Alps, Salzburg, Austria
Distance:		7.5km
Ascent:		1429m (3h 00min)
Descent:		116m (0h 15min)
Highest Pt:		1853m
Lowest Pt:		442m
Duration:		3h 10min (without breaks) 3h 50min (with breaks)
Stop/Rest:		Zeppezauerhaus (1663m) Hochalm am Untersberg (1785m)
Equipment:		Backpack with standard hiking equipment Comfortable hiking shoes with good grip Snacks and enough water 1x Gipfelbier Sun & Weather protection Camera