Taghaube Hiking Guide, Hochkönig Mountains, Austria (original) (raw)

Taghaube (2159 m) is a peak in the Hochkönig Mountains in Salzburg, Austria. It’s located within the protected area of Naturschutzgebiet Salzburger Kalkhochalpen.

The hike to the Taghaube summit is highly enjoyable, because almost the whole trail is above the treeline. And, like any good hike in Austria, there’s a managed mountain hut and alpine pasture along the way.

This hike begins at Erichhütte car park, along the Hochkönigstrasse road, between Dienten am Hochkönig and Mühlbach am Hochkönig.

Though this is a short and straightforward hiking tour, it’s still considered “high-alpine.” You should be surefooted and confident hiking in typical limestone terrain like loose rocks and scree. Hiking poles are very helpful for stabilization on the descent. We love our Unisex Black Diamond Hiking Poles.

Tip | For a longer hiking route in the Hochkönig, combine Taghaube summit with the Mühlbach High Trail, which stretches between Erichhütte and Arthurhaus.

Hochkönig sheep, Salzburg, Austria

Taghaube Trail Map

Where to Start the Taghaube Summit Hike

Erichhütte Car Park

Parkplatz Erichhütte is located just off the Hochkönigstraße road in Dienten am Hochkönig.

The Erichhütte bus stop is located directly across from the car park. Look up regional bus timetables on Salzburg Verkehr.

Car Park Location | Google Maps

Parking Fee | None

Taghaube Trail Description

Erichhütte Car Park to Erichhütte (20-30 minutes)

From the car park, follow trail 432 in the direction of Taghaube (2:30 hours) and Erichhütte (30 minutes).

Trail 432 is the Erichhütte access road. Steadily ascend the gravel road for 20-30 minutes up to the mountain hut.

Erichhütte is a managed Austrian Alpine Club refuge. They serve soups, Brettljause, Kaiserschmarrn and other snacks. The hut is open from late May/early June until mid/late October. They only accept payment in cash.

Erichhütte to Taghaube (1:40 – 2:00 hours)

Sheep along the Erichhütte to Taghaube Hiking Trail, Salzburg, Austria

Follow signs to Taghaube.

The trail leads northeast across a wide-open meadow, where sheep and cattle graze in summer.

From the onset, there are sweeping views of the southwestern flank of the Hochkönig massif. Taghaube is the last summit on the right.

After 20 minutes, the trail divides. Bear right on trail 437.

The trail steepens and twists up a belt of dwarf pine. As you progress, the path gets increasingly rockier. Timber reinforcements bolster the narrow, rocky path.

Taghaube ladder, Hochkönig, Salzburg, Austria

The ascent gets more high-alpine, as you scramble up stone passages and squeeze through chimneys. Always follow the painted waymakers.

A metal ladder and fixed metal aids (handholds) aid you up the rocky ridge.

Continue following the waymarks to the summit cross.

Taghaube Summit

Taghaube Summit, Hochkönig, Salzburg

The summit boasts an impressive alpine panorama. Looking north, Hochkönig (2941 m), Hoher Kopf (2875 m), Großer Bratschenkopf (2858 m), and many other summits form an imposing wall of gray limestone.

The views to the south extend to Austria’s highest mountain, Grossglockner (3798 m) and other notable Hohe Tauern peaks.

Taghaube to Erichhütte Car Park (1:45 hours)

Taghaube to Erichhütte hiking trail descent, Salzburg, Austria

Follow the same route down to Erichhütte.

The descent can be more difficult, because of the loose rocks underfoot. Hike down carefully.

Where to Stay

The Hochkönig holiday region encompasses the towns of Mühlbach am Hochkönig, Dienten am Hochkönig, and Maria Alm am Steinernen Meer. Most accommodations provide the Hochkönig Card at no extra charge (June – October).

This guest card gives you free rides on regional transit and cable cars and more. Some accommodations have a minimum stay (2-4 nights depending on the season). During your visit, we recommend hiking the Mühlbach High Trail and walking up to Hochkeil for sunrise, or sunset.

Dienten am Hochkönig

Midrange-luxury Apartments | The Peak Hochkönig is an aparthotel in the town center of Dienten. All apartments are decorated in an alpine-modern style and have fully-equipped kitchens, dining areas, seating areas, and washing machines. Some apartments have saunas. Extra perk: underground parking.

Midrange All-Inclusive | Hotel-Gasthof Salzburger Hof is an all-inclusive, family-friendly hotel in Dienten. Stay here for the excellent food, friendly staff, and children’s facilities and programs (e.g. kid-friendly dinner, supervised summer program for kids ages 4+, play area, library, etc…).

Look for accommodation in Dienten am Hochkönig.

Maria Alm am Steinernen Meer

Maria Alm am Steinernen Meer, Hochkönig, Salzburg, Austria

Luxury | Berg & Spa Hotel Urslauerhof is located in Maria Alm-Hinterthal

Luxury | We stayed at the Eder – Lifestyle Hotel, which is located directly in the village center of Maria Alm. We loved the hotel’s atmosphere, innovative cuisine, and creative design. Here’s our Hotel Eder Review.

Luxury | Jufenalm BOHO Hotel & Restaurant is a stylish hotel with a “boho meets alpine” design concept. Stay here for the interior design, dreamy mountain setting, views of Steinernes Meer, and natural bathing pond and spa. Breakfast is included and you can dine in the hotel’s à la carte restaurant.

Look for accommodation in Maria Alm.

Mühlbach am Hochkönig

Mühlbach am Hochkönig, Salzburg, Austria

Budget | Landhaus Rieding is a guesthouse located on the Riedingalm mountain pasture at the foot of the Hochkönig mountains. If you want to wake up in the mountains, surrounded by beautiful peaks and idyllic pastureland, stay here.

Midrange-Luxury | Das Grünholz Aparthotel & Restaurant is located on Mandlwandstrasse, about halfway between the town center of Mühlbach and Arthurhaus. This family-run aparthotel boasts stunning modern apartments, excellent breakfasts, and spa facilities.

Luxury | Hotel Bergheimat is another hillside hotel between the town center of Mühlbach and Arthurhaus. The room rate includes breakfast, an afternoon snack and dinner. This traditional Austrian hotel offers spacious and comfortable rooms, an indoor swimming pool, and a spa with six saunas.

Luxury | AlpenParks Hotel & Apartment Hochkönig is an aparthotel situated in the town center of Mühlbach. Apartments are well-equipped and tastefully furnished. Perks: free underground parking garage with e-charging stations, free summer children’s program monday-friday (6 years old+), optional breakfast (extra charge).

Look for accommodation in Mühlbach am Hochkönig.

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Austria has an excellent public transit system. We’ve used it extensively to travel throughout the country. We highly recommend using transit if you’re visiting cities (Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz, etc…), and/or doing hut-to-hut hikes.

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