Full Moon Endurance Hike in Southern Dachstein

Join a small group of like-minded hikers for a summer farewell endurance hiking trip through the southern part of the Dachstein mountain range (Dachsteingebirge), crossing the regions of Styria and Salzburg, on Saturday–Sunday, September 26–27. We will start our trip in the early hours of Saturday morning by taking a scenic train-and-bus ride from Vienna to the Walcheralm pasture at the foot of the impressive Dachstein South Wall, arriving just in time to witness the traditional Almabtrieb. Almabtrieb (autumn cattle drive) is a centuries-old Alpine tradition marking the end of the summer grazing season, when farmers bring their cattle down from the high mountain pastures to the valley. The animals are often beautifully decorated with flowers, greenery and bells, turning their descent into a festive local celebration. After properly cheering on the cows and checking out the latest cow fashion trends, we will start the daylight part of our hike at the foot of the Dachstein South Wall and Gosaukamm, heading westwards towards Hofpürgl Hut (1,705 m). During the daytime hike, expect to witness the impressive and dramatic landscapes of the southern Dachstein, including numerous prominent peaks such as Hoher Dachstein (2,995 m), Hunerkogel (2,687 m), the Bischofsmütze twin peaks (2,458 m / 2,430 m) and Rötelstein (2,247 m). Expect quintessentially Alpine landscapes with gentle pastures, numerous mountain huts and a dramatic backdrop of countless peaks. Along the way, we will make a stop for an open-air picnic lunch. We will reach Hofpürgl Hut (1,705 m), at the foot of the Bischofsmütze (Bishop’s Mitre) twin peak, just in time for a traditional dinner at the mountain hut. After sunset, we will continue our hike eastwards towards an impressive natural geomorphological formation known as the Dachstein Gate. The special effects for our nighttime hiking will be provided by September’s full moon, also known as the Harvest Moon, allowing us to witness the moonlit limestone walls of the Dachstein in the dark of night. During the night, we will make multiple short breaks for photos, snacks and skygazing, depending on the weather conditions. Just before sunrise, we will reach a famous local curiosity – the summit mailbox (Gipfelbriefkasten), installed at an elevation of 1,955 m. After posting postcards to ourselves back in Vienna, we will start our sunrise descent towards Ramsau, passing by impressive rock formations known as the Stone Virgins or Stone Maidens (Steinerne Jungfrauen). Back in Ramsau, we will take a bus-and-train ride back home to Vienna, with an expected arrival around noon on Sunday. Expect a demanding but highly rewarding endurance hike, combining multiple activities with impressive Alpine scenery throughout the journey. 🤔 FITNESS REQUIREMENTS: HARD 🔴 This demanding full-day-and-night adventure requires a strong level of endurance and previous experience with long mountain days. You should be comfortable completing a 25–35 km route with around 1500–2500 m of elevation gain and descent. If you are new to longer alpine hikes, it is recommended to first join shorter or less demanding routes to assess your fitness and ability to manage extended climbs and descents. 🌄 WHAT TO EXPECT We will start our hike at the Walcheralm pasture at the foot of the impressive Dachstein South Wall and follow a scenic route through the southern part of the Dachstein mountain range, continuing into the night under the September full moon before descending towards Ramsau for our journey back to Vienna. The highlights along the course include: Scenic train-and-bus ride from Vienna to the Dachstein South Wall 🚌🚆 Traditional Almabtrieb at Walcheralm 🐄 Impressive Dachstein South Wall and Gosaukamm 🏔️ Panoramic views of Hoher Dachstein (2,995 m), Hunerkogel (2,687 m), Bischofsmütze (2,458 m / 2,430 m) and Rötelstein (2,247 m) 🏔️ Quintessentially Alpine landscapes with mountain pastures and traditional mountain huts 🌄 Traditional dinner at Hofpürgl Hut (1,705 m) 🛖 Moonlit limestone walls and rock formations of the Dachstein under the September full moon 🌕 Impressive natural geomorphological formation known as the Dachstein Gate 🪨 Nighttime hiking, stargazing and mountain photography under the full moon 📸 Summit mailbox (Gipfelbriefkasten) at 1,955 m 📮 Dramatic rock formations known as the Stone Virgins 🪨 Scenic descent towards Ramsau at sunrise 🌅 Scenic landscape of the southern Dachstein mountain range 🌄 📊 HIKE DETAILS ~35 km | +2\,100 m gain | -2\,500 m loss Technical difficulty (T-grade): T1/T2 with a short T3 section Physical difficulty: Hard (see fitness requirements above) 🗺️ ROUTE The planned hiking route can be viewed on Komoot here: https://www.komoot.com/tour/3232138313 📍 MEETING & LOGISTICS Meeting point: Wien Hauptbahnhof (Platform 8D) @ 06:15 AM Outbound journey (~ 4.5 hours): · IC 756 (06:24 Wien Hauptbahnhof – Bruck an der Mur Bahnhof 08:23) · IR 518 (08:32 Bruck an der Mur Bahnhof – Schladming Bahnhof 10:19) · Bus 960 (10:20 Schladming Bahnhof – Ramsau am Dachstein Walcheralm 10:55) Hike start: Ramsau am Dachstein Walcheralm Hike finish: Ramsau am Dachstein Langegasse bus stop (06:51/08:26 AM, Sunday) Return journey: via Schladming, Bruck an der Mur back to Wien Hauptbahnhof (around noon) 💡 Departure platforms and train schedules may change. Please check the latest information in the ÖBB Scotty app before departure. Consider getting a Vorteilskarte for discounted train tickets or a KlimaTicket if you regularly use public transport in Austria. 🧳 WHAT TO BRING · 🥾 Suitable hiking footwear with good grip · 👕 Weather-appropriate clothing (layers) · 🧤 Warm gloves, buff, warm hat/beanie · 🧥 Spare dry layer for the night · 🌧️ Rain protection (jacket and/or rain pants) · 🕶️ Sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses, cap) · 🔦 Headlamp and spare batteries · 🎒 A comfortable backpack · 💧 Sufficient water · 🍎 Enough food and snacks for the entire hike · 🩹 Personal medications and a basic personal first-aid kit · 🔋 A fully charged mobile phone, power bank · 💶 Cash and ID (most mountain huts do not accept card payments) · 🥢 Hiking poles (optional, but recommended for longer hikes) 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 GROUP DYNAMICS This is a group hiking activity. We begin the hike as a group, move together along the route, regroup regularly along the way, and finish the hike together. Please plan to stay with the group for the entire duration of the hike, unless the itinerary explicitly mentions the possibility of splitting into smaller groups (e.g., one subgroup staying at a hut while others continue to a summit). We follow this approach primarily for safety reasons: to keep track of everyone, ensure nobody is accidentally left behind, and allow the group to support each other if unexpected situations arise. It also helps create a better shared experience, where everyone can enjoy the hike together and nobody feels isolated or unintentionally separated from the group. 🌦️ WEATHER This hike is weather-dependent and may be modified, shortened, postponed, or cancelled in case of thunderstorms, severe weather, or unsafe mountain conditions. Please check for updates before departure and be prepared for possible changes to the itinerary. The weather forecast and any potential changes will usually be posted in the event comments around 48 hours before the hike. The organizer provides general information only and does not determine whether conditions are safe for individual participants. Each participant is solely responsible for assessing the weather, trail conditions, their own abilities, and deciding whether to participate or continue the hike. ⚠️ PARTICIPATION & RESPONSIBILITY This is a casual, self-organized hike. You join at your own responsibility and are responsible for your own safety, decisions, and actions throughout the activity. Please ensure you are comfortable with the planned distance, elevation gain, difficulty level, and alpine terrain. You are responsible for assessing whether the hike is suitable for your fitness level and experience, and for bringing appropriate clothing, sufficient food and water, and suitable footwear and equipment. Please make conservative decisions regarding your own safety, and do not take unnecessary risks.