The Schmittenhöhe, high above Zell am See
| Start | Zell am See (Schmittenhöhe: 1965m) |
| Distance | 7km |
| Height loss | 1109m |
| Grade | 2–3 |
| Time | 2½hrs |
| Location | Northwest of Zell am See |
No visit to Zell am See would be complete without a cable-car ride to the Schmittenhöhe, for the panorama which unfolds from the summit ridge is said to include no less than thirty 3000m peaks, and the wealth of footpaths and tracks accessible from it offer a great variety of walks. The following route is downhill almost all the way, and although much of it is in forest, there’s plenty of interest, not least of which is the possibility of sighting deer, chamois, red squirrels and numerous birds. At the end of the walk, Viehhofen, in the Vorderglemmtal, has bus connections with Zell or, if you were so inclined and had the time and energy, you could continue the walk all the way back along the valley via Maishofen.
Leaving the cable-car station and restaurant on the Schmittenhöhe, turn right in front of the Elisabethskapelle to the start of the Höhenweg Sonnkogel, a gentle walk which follows the so-called Höhenpromenade to the Sonnkogel lift at 1856m. This well-made path goes down the slope on the east side of the ridge and soon passes just below the Hochzeller restaurant (10mins, refreshments). About 5mins beyond this, at 1904m, take the upper path at a junction. This brings you onto a broad path rising to the ridge-crest and a collection of ski tows a little below the crown of the Salersbachköpfl.
Bear left beside a small hut used by the ski tow attendant where a narrow and somewhat vague trail slopes off to the north among trees – as you progress the path becomes more evident. Cross a bluff 1min beyond the hut, then descend a narrow vegetated crest along a ridge spur. This is the Schmittenweg which makes a steady descent of assorted ribs and spurs, sometimes crowded with trees, and after passing a seat about 40mins from the Schmittenhöhe, the gradient increases within mature forest, and 6mins later you come onto a forestry road at 1526m.
The Schmittenhöhe, high above Zell am See
Wander down the road for about 2mins to a left-hand hairpin where the continuing path descends through more forest with a view into the Glemmtal. After losing height quite steeply, the trail then makes a long leftward contour before descending again to a water trough. From there the way angles down to the right and rejoins the forestry road where you turn right. Just 1min later another path drops to the left to shortcut a hairpin, where you then continue along the road/track until it forks at 1318m.
Turn right, and wander along the left-hand side of an open flat area to the start of the next footpath section indicated by a signpost. Once again the continuing descent is among trees, losing 200m before coming to another forestry track junction. The path forks just before reaching this track, at 1100m. One path goes ahead to Viehhofen via Kreuzerlehen, but the recommended route crosses the right-hand track and continues down through lush vegetation (including lots of wild raspberries), then in a dense section of forest which squeezes the trail on a steep descent to a crossing path.
Bear right and soon slope down to cross a minor stream easing through a gully by another path junction. Keep ahead, soon rising to a lovely bilberry-carpeted area before descending yet again. Over a second small gully the way rises briefly and, at the next junction, continues ahead, now sloping downhill with Viehhofen seen to the left. Moments later come to yet another junction. Bear left and go down to a broad crossing path. Turn right, then left to cross the Saalach river on a bridge, and enter Viehhofen (856m). On the opposite side of the road there’s a foodstore, public telephone and a bus stop for Saalbach and Hinterglemm. But you’ll find the bus stop for Zell am See about 100m to the right.