Hohe Tauern, Austria
Day 4 Monday 18th June 2018
Gritzer Hörndl (2,631 m) and Gritzersee Lakes
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A beautiful walk above the Defereggental with excellent views, a rewarding summit and some scenic Alpine lakes.
Grade: Moderate
Distance: 10km (6 miles)
Ascent/Descent: 650 m
Time: 4 ~ 5 hours
Distance to Start: 45 mins
Terrain: Well-marked Alpine paths
Getting There: From Matrei, follow the main road south towards Lienz. At Huben, turn right into the Defereggental. Continue to S Veit; drive through the village beyond the church then turn right following signs for the Speikbodenhütte. The road is initially paved but at Oberhalz deteriorates to a vehicle track; this can be accessed with a standard vehicle. Park at Speikenbidenhütte.
Map ref: goo.gl/maps/JZFMy9hrFQF2 |
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| Day |
To |
Distance |
Time |
Elevation in meters |
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|
Km |
Elapsed
Hrs-Mins |
Moving
Hrs-Mins |
Gain |
Loss |
Min |
Max |
| 4 |
Gritzer Horndle |
12.0 |
5H49 |
|
677 |
677 |
1,970 |
2,581 |
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Speikboden Hut
L to R: Lesley, Jim, Aileen and Mick
| From the parking area at the top of the road, take path 316 signed to the Gritzensee and Speikboden which leads off just right of the Speikbodenhütte. After 100 m pass a pretty house on the left and a water fountain on the right (drinking water) and continue for 20 minutes following the path uphill at a steady gradient, passing through a number of gates and crossing pasture land to reach a well-signed junction. Keep left here, following path 23A to Gritzensee and Virgentorl. The views along this path are truly superb, taking in much of the Defereggental and surrounding peaks. After 200 m come to the next junction and keep following the path for the Gritzersee, now path 20B. this undulates gently as it contours the hillside for twenty minutes, crossing through a turnstile to reach another well-signed junction. |
It is possible to continue straight on here, following path 20 to the Gritzersee to avoid the extra ascent to the peak. However, turn right onto path 20A, ascending a grassy shoulder and continuing for 25 minutes to reach the summit. This rewards with excellent views of the lakes below. |
Aileen, Lesley, Jim and Jo
Aileen, Lesley and Mick
The final push to the peak, Gritzer Hörndle
Looking down to the Gritzer lakes
Jo
| To descend, follow the well marked path over the back of the peak (towards the Virgental), initially down a grassy shoulder then over scree and boulders for 15 minutes to reach the lakes. Traverse these on the left side to reach the final lake, then at its left corner cross a stream to reach a yellow sign, marked 2504 to Gritzersee. |
Gritzersee 2,504 m
A snowfield to cross
And finally back to Speikboden Hut
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