Katrinalm
Katrin circular walk
Panorama tour on Bad Ischl's mountain
Starting point:
top station of the Katrin railway, base station in Bad Ischl
The Salzkammergut is a paradise for free and easy hiking. The Katrin near Bad Ischl too is a mountain that is easy to climb and in addition offers fantastic views over the Ischl and Goiser valleys. A modern small cabin cable railway carries hikers from Bad Ischl to the starting point of this entertaining circular walk over the three largest peaks of the massif: the Katrin, Elferkogel and Hainzen.
As in the case of all the walks in the central Salzkammergut, the visual focal point throughout is naturally the Dachstein.
From the Katrin railway top station over the Elferkogel to the Hainzen
Walk 100m in south-westerly direction along path nos. 895 and 898. Turn right onto path no. 895 and walk in zigzag fashion up a steep, rocky-green flank in a north-westerly direction until you reach a junction and then carry on until you reach the Katrin. Return to the junction, turn right and walk up path no. 895 through pine trees in a south-westerly direction until you reach the Elferkogel, 1603 m. When you reach the pine-covered ridge, go past the turning to the southern trail, and carry on walking up and down until you reach the grassy summit of the Hainzen, 1638 m.
From the Hainzen down the southern trail to the Katrin railway top station
Return to the right turnoff of the southern trail and follow this downwards in a south-easterly direction, then head towards the right flank (southern side) of the Elferkogel and go through the rocky-green terrain (steel-wire rope, steady footwork needed) high above the Goiser valley down to a projecting edge. Walk eastwards along the path, then turn left around a corner to arrive back at the top station of the Katrin railway.
Duration: 1 ¾ hours
Highlights: Wonderful view of the Ischl and Goiser valleys and central Salzkammergut mountains from the Elferkogel and Hainzen.
