Between the Hochwurzen and Planei the Schladminger Untertal and Obertal (upper and lower Schladming valleys) wind southward into the Schladminger Tauern. From the end of the road up the Untertal a footpath (two and a half hours) leads past the picturesque Tiesachsee (1,333m/4,374ft) and up to the Preintalerhütte (1,656m/5,433ft; inn, accommodation), from which experienced climbers can scale the Greifenberg (2,618m/8,590ft; four hours) by way of the Klafferkessel with its numerous small lakes.
Another path (three hours) runs southward from the end of the road to the Gollinghütte (1,630m/5,348ft; accommodation), the starting point of the climb (four hours for experienced climbers; not particularly difficult) up the Hochgolling (2,863m/9,394ft), the highest peak in the Niedere Tauern (superb panoramic views). Another possibility is to drive up the Obertal to Hopfriesen (1,056m/3,465ft), from which a footpath (three and a half to four hours) leads southwestward to the Ignaz-Mattis-Hütte (1,986m/6,516ft; accommodation), on the northwestern side of the Unterer Giglachsee. From Hopfriesen the road continues southward by way of the Eschachalm (1,213m/3,980ft) to the Neualm (1,700m/5,580ft), from which it is an hour's walk southwestward to the Kleinprechthütte (1,872m/6,182ft; accommodation), another good base for climbs in the Schladminger Tauern.
Read More
