Peaks of the Goldberg group, seen from the Zimburgweg
| Start | Badgastein (Stubnerkogel: 2230m) |
| Distance | 12km |
| Height gain | 122m |
| Height loss | 754m |
| Grade | 3 |
| Time | 5hrs (+ bus from Sportgastein) |
| Location | Southwest of Badgastein |
A high route which leads to two mountain lakes, giving lovely views to big snow-capped mountains and charming valleys. It’s reasonably demanding, and should only be attempted in settled conditions. Please note that currently there’s only one bus in the afternoon from Sportgastein (Nassfeld) to Badgastein, so you are advised to check the timetable before setting out. Miss it, and you’ll have another 8km or so to walk!
Take an early lift on the Stubnerkogelbahn gondola to the start of the walk. Out of the gondola station follow directions given for Route 83 as far as the path junction at the Zitterauer Scharte where the Dr Reichart-Weg breaks to the right in the ‘longer walk’ option (25–30mins). Bear right on this path to traverse the north and west flanks of the Zitterauer Tisch. Reach a rocky spur, then twist up it to a high point at 2285m marked by a cairn (55mins). Although narrow, the path is well waymarked across rocks.
About 1hr 15mins from the start come onto the Ortbergschartl, a 2273m saddle on the ridge coming from the Zitterauer Tisch. The path now cuts round the north side of the craggy Ortberg, then curves leftward with the Miesbichlscharte saddle ahead. Rocks are traded for grass slopes on the brief climb to this pass at 2237m. Ahead stands a long wall of snow-draped mountains of the Goldberg group.
With the Unterer Bockhartsee coming into view, descend to a fork in the path (3mins from the Miesbichlscharte) and branch right along the Zimburgweg which makes a traverse across the steep headwall of the hanging valley. Narrow and exposed, the path is flanked by lovely alpine flowers, and with views down the length of the lake to the Weissenbachtal, a gentle pastoral valley southeast of Sportgastein.
Peaks of the Goldberg group, seen from the Zimburgweg
Continue heading west on an undulating trail, mostly on grass slopes, but later over rocks. In 2hrs 15mins come to a high point of 2215m and continue the traverse among alpenroses before sloping downhill towards the valley’s upper basin in which lies the Oberer Bockhartsee. Come to a path junction in 2hrs 45mins. While the left branch goes down to the lower lake, we continue upvalley for another 15mins to reach the Oberer Bockhartsee which lies at 2070m. The Bockhartscharte saddle is seen about 150m above the lake, while both above and below the lake there are various signs of past mining work.
Cross the lake’s outlet stream and descend on its right-hand side. The path then keeps several metres above the shoreline of the Unterer Bockhartsee, at the far end of which you come onto a track (4hrs). Just 2mins away to the right stands the Bockhartsee Hut (1933m, refreshments). Unless you need refreshments, walk ahead along the path which passes just below the hut, and zigzags downhill, becoming more narrow and steep as height is lost. This brings you onto a track which leads directly to Alpengasthaus Valerie at Sportgastein. The bus stop for Badgastein is located by the Goldbergbahn.
There’s no shortage of walking possibilities in the countryside around Badgastein, ranging from short valley routes suitable for families with young children, to longer and more challenging routes that cross high passes or reach non-technical summits. The following is a small sample, but careful study of the local maps will reveal many more.