GEIGENKAMM HUT TOUR

Stage 1 Roppen (724 m) - Forchheimer Trail - Erlanger Hut (2,541 m)

From Roppen walk along a wide road to Maysalm hut (1,631m). Continue to Muthütte hut and Mutkopf (1,990m) and follow the ridge in a southern direction to Forchheimer Biwak (2,443m). In the saddle between Weiter Karkopf and Murmentenkarspitze head down into Weites Kar and walk through scree up to the eastern ridge of Äußerer Hoher Kogel. Walk down and continue south-west along a trail that uses steel cables for protection to get to Erlanger hut (2,541m).

Hiking time: approx. 7 hrs
Altitude gain: approx. 2,000 m

Stage 2 Erlanger Hut (2,541 m) - Frischmann Hut (2,192 m)

Walk south past lake Wettersee and continue along the ridge into a hollow. Hike the western side of the Leiertal valley towards the south and climb steeply to the ridge of Feilerscharte (2,926m). Weather conditions permitting you should climb Fundusfeiler (3,080m) from where you enjoy superb views. Continue down to Feilerscharte and Funduskar; walk through gentle pastures to Frischmann hut (2,192m).

Hiking time: approx. 5 hrs
Altitude gain: approx. 600 m

Stage 3 Frischmann Hut (2,192 m) - Hauersee Hut (2,383 m)

The trail travels east of the Griesköpfe and in a southern direction past Blockkogel and then climbs steeply to Felderjöchl (2,794m). From Felderjöchl the trail drops down to lake Weisser See and on to Hauersee hut (2,383m). Hauersee hut is not serviced. In summer a caretaker lives in the hut.

Hiking time: approx. 6 hrs
Altitude gain: approx. 1,000 m

Stage 4 Hauersee Hut (2,383 m) - Rüsselsheimer Hut (2,328 m)

From the hut a trail lead to Hauerferner glacier which is moderately steep in the lower part and flat in the upper part. Walk along the western edge of the glacier to Luibisscharte (2,914m). Easy climbing to Luibiskogel (3,112m). The trail drops steeply from Luibisscharte and continues east of Mitterkopf in a southern direction via Sandjoch and southern Luibiskar to Breitlehnjoch (2,637m); on via Rötkarljoch (2,709m) and through Rötkarle to the Gahwinden (2,648m) vista point; continue to Rüsselsheimer hut (2,323m).

Hiking time: approx. 6 hrs
Altitude gain: approx. 900 m

Stage 5 Rüsselsheimer Hut (2,323 m) - Mainzer High Altitude Trail - Braunschweiger Hut (2,758 m)

The trail climbs very steeply to Weißmaurachjoch (2,953m). Continue in southern direction and cross a small glacier field. Descend down to the glacier (beware of crevasses!) just below Puitkogel. Continue along a moderately steep glacier section (crampons might be needed in late summer) up to the Rheinland-Pfalz bivouac on Wassertalkogel (3,252m). Follow the ridge across Gschrappkogel (3,197m) and Wurmsitzkogel (3,079m). Here the trail drops steeply to a glacier field below Pitztaler Jöchl. Hike up to Pitztaler Jöchl (3,032 m) through this glacier field and descend to Braunschweiger Hütte (2,758 m). If you pan to hike down to the restaurant on Rettenbach glacier, then you don't need to hike on the glacier field. From Rettenbach glacier several buses per day leave for Sölden.

Hiking time: approx. 9 hrs
Altitude gain: approx. 1,300 m