Abtenau: Laufener Hütte - Hochkarfelderkopf - First (27 - 30 points, 27(a)+27b - 22 points)

From the hiker parking lot at Karalm (3 points), first take the trail to Laufener Hütte. Then it goes moderately steep uphill through the high forest, past the "Holzplatz" and through steep terrain to the "Wandalm" (spring). Over the rocky cirque, the path leads up to the "Törleck" and then continues through hollows and dwarf pines to the Laufener Hütte (1721m, 10 points). From the Laufener Hütte, continue hiking to Tagweide (2128m), the path through the "Pfannenstiel" goes steeply uphill.

Variation Hochkarfelderkopf 27a:
As a variation (path 27a), you could also hike from the Laufener Hütte first in the direction of Edelweißkogel (2030m) and then over the Hochkarfelderkopf (2219m) to Tagweide. Caution, the path between Hochkarfelderkopf and Tagweide is only recommended for experienced and sure-footed mountaineers. From Tagweide, the path leads steeply downhill through terrain to First (1820m, 6 points).

Variation First descent 27b:
The shortest way to the starting point is via variation 27b, the First descent down to the Wandalm, where you were already at the beginning of the hike. Special caution is required when descending here.

Otherwise, continue hiking from First towards Gsengalm. The trail leads just below the Schallwand to the "Schicken", then continues over the "Zapfensteig" to the "Gsengalm" (1447m, 8 points). From Gsengalm, continue along the trail to Karriedel and down to the cable car mountain station Karkogelbahn, where the Karkogelhütte (1120m) invites you to rest. If the summer toboggan run is still in operation, do not miss the opportunity. Otherwise, the hiking trail leads left through the forest down to Karalm, the starting point of the hike.

Hiker parking lot Karalm

Parking lot at the Karkogelbahn

www.karkogel.com

www.abtenau-info.at

www.gasthaustraunstein.at

www.alpenverein-laufen.de

Guesthouse and Hotel Traunstein: Tel. 06243/2438  www.gasthaustraunstein.at

Guesthouse Kohlhof: Tel. 06243/2411

Laufener Hütte (1726m): open from Pentecost to early October, overnight stay possible, the hut is only staffed, Tel. +49(0)8682/9569294 for reservations, www.alpenverein-laufen.de

Karkogelhütte (1120m): operated during the Karkogelbahn's operating times, www.karkogel.com

Gsengalm (1447m): open mid-June to early October, overnight stay possible, Tel. 0664/3575153

Karkogelbahn and summer toboggan run: operating times from late May to late September (winter operations Karkogelbahn from mid-December to mid-March),
Tel. 06243/2432