Haindlkarhütte via Gsengscharte – Gesäuse National Park

The tour is not without its challenges - and so my first attempt failed. Two years later, I dared to climb a section that was difficult for me. This was followed by other highlights, such as a narrow crevice in the rock (you could also climb over it) and a long passage secured with a rope. The Gsengscharte is definitely the more difficult option to get to the Haindlkarhütte. Most people therefore choose the easy ascent and then go back down again.

In the morning when I started it was cloudy and you could feel some raindrops. After a short stretch next to the Enns, a steep path led through the forest, next to a small mountain stream up to the mountain pine belt. It wasn't far from the old Haindlkarhütte to the Haindlkarhütte. After a little snack I made my way to the Gsengscharte. When I reached it, I was able to enjoy the view before beginning the descent. It is more difficult than the way up from the Haindlkar car park but interesting. A steel cable makes it easier to master the first stretch. Then it goes steeply down in serpentines on stony paths. The scree fields that have to be crossed offer a little variety. All in all it was a successful day in nature and with nice people in the refuge. I find the Gesäuse impressive. Oh yes, the second peak in the profile was because I went back to get the vest that had fallen from the backpack. By the way, it is easier to go up the critical points than down. Accordingly, one should walk the loop in the opposite direction. :)

Today we are following in the footsteps of Wimmberger Brigitte. The legend path takes you stony-rich in the Gseng up to the Gsengscharte (1,210 m) and on to the Haindlkarhütte. There have been new tenants at the hut since 2023 and we received a warm welcome from them and excellent food. With a full stomach we went down to the starting point. You wouldn't believe it could be so rocky around 1000 meters.

This isn't an easy hike. Even though it only climbs and descends a little over 600 meters, this tour is a challenge. Once you reach the Gseng and begin the ascent to the Gsengscharte ridge, there are exactly three key points that make the whole thing a challenge, making it a difficult mountain trail. But when you finally stand on the Gsengscharte ridge and look down at the Haindlkarhütte – that's a truly special moment. A challenging, but also exhilarating hike.

Today we went on a not so strenuous hike in the beautiful Gesäuse.

🅿 Haindlkar car park (observe local parking bans / parking fees!) 🌲 Gsengscharte (1228 m) 🌲 Haindlkar 🏠 Haindlkarhütte (1121 m) 🏠 Old Haindlkarhütte (1082 m) After crossing the Gesäuse with continuous rain on the descent, GEO climb the following day, today we go up to the Haindlkarhütte for a short time "plagued with blisters". Our tour begins at the former gravel works. Path no. 658 (Gsengscharte path) leads us over slightly arduous and gravelly terrain, which resembles an empty stream bed, up to the Gsengscharte. The last stretch to the saddle is the "key point". The rock is marked by wind and weather. The gutter washed out and smooth as a bone. However, the last few meters to the ridge are secured with ropes and chains and do not represent any major challenges or efforts. From there we descend wildly and romantically into the Haindlkar, in the direction of the Haindlkarhütte. After a longer break, we start again and go on the marked hiking trail, past the old Haindlkarhütte, to the Haindlkar car park, on the main road. As on the descent into the Haindlkar, we are accompanied by great views of the north walls of the Hochtor Group. Our continuation of crossing the Gesäuse will also start from here, namely via the Peternpfad up to the Peternscharte and further via Dachlgrat to the Hochtor. From the Hochtor then back to the Planspitze with descent via the waterfall path. However, we will discreetly ignore the rather “bland section” from Festkogel to Hochtor. Tour guide: Judith Classification of the tour and/or its sections: 🔴 (mainly T3 in ascent / T2 in descent) ( https://www.alpenverein.at/portal/huetten-wege/wegenetz/wegecategories/index.php ) ( https://www.sac-cas.ch/de/bildung-und-Sicherheit/tourenplanung/schwierigkeitsskalen ) Refreshment stop(s): Haindlkarhütte (https://www.alpenverein.at/haindlkarhuette)