GS_N7 Hochwipfel (2,195 m)

Level of difficulty: Medium

10.5 km

Distance
4.8 h

Duration
1502 vm

Lowest elevation
2184 vm

Highest elevation
682 vm
682 vm

GS_N7 Hochwipfel (2,195 m)

Across seemingly endless mountain slopes, dome-shaped heights, and historically significant paths, traveling very long and very lonely in the heart of the Carnic Alps.

Suggestion

There are records indicating that cheese has been produced on the pastures of the Gail Valley since the 13th century. The tradition of cheesemaking has been passed down for 700 years within individual families from generation to generation. Through careful use of the resources provided by nature, the alpine herdsmen contribute to the preservation of the beautiful cultural landscape.

Such is also the case at the Rattendorfer Alm, one of 13 member pastures in this region, which produce the "Gailtaler Almkäse g.U." according to a traditional, codified method. The "g.U." stands Europe-wide for "Protected Origin" – you will surely want to convince yourself of the tastiness and authenticity of this product after the eventful mountain route on the Hochwipfel.

In the alpine hut at the Rattendorfer Alm.

From 1915 to 1917, this was an important front-line Austro-Hungarian supply center with numerous barracks and magazines and the mountain station of the cable car leading up from the Gail Valley. Toward the ridge line, many mostly collapsed cavern entrances, foundation remains, trenches, and foxholes can still be found today.

If you hike upward from the Rattendorfer Alm for about 30 minutes on an old war path, you will reach – just below the "Zanklhütte" – the Scotti Chapel. In front are foundation bases and a small flat area of a former soldiers’ cemetery. The chapel, near ruin, was exemplary restored in 1980/81 through a local initiative. Inside is an altarpiece depicting the Archangel Michael, signed by "Sergeant Cerny, k.k. Styrian Landsturm Infantry Battalion No. 150, 1916".

Equipment

This varies depending on the season. However, always included are: functional hiking clothing, windbreaker, headwear, rainwear/protection, mountain boots, provisions, sufficient drinks, change of clothes, various personal items such as camera, mobile phone, sun protection, sunglasses, first aid kit, etc.

Directions

At the southern edge of the valley town Rattendorf – directly within the valley floor area – you will find the beginning of the well-maintained mountain road (gravel road) towards the Rattendorfer Alm. After a few switchbacks, you will also be greeted by the creek bed of the Doberbach, formed from massive rock blocks. In this area, you will also pass a crossroads. To the right leads the way to the Rattendorfer Riegel Alm. Simply leave this path “to the right” and continue straight ahead. However, remember this crossroads, as you may pass it again during the alternative descent from the Hochwipfel. After passing through the gate at the lower edge of the alpine pasture area (please always close it after passing through), the road leads you in a few last curves over open alpine meadows to the parking lot directly below the Rattendorfer Alm.

A first glimpse

Some impressions of the tour

Directions

DESCRIPTION (increase):

Starting from the parking lot below the Rattendorfer Alm you will reach the Alm itself in a few minutes. From here, keeping to the right, you turn south and ascend to the "Zanklhütte" after about 100 m. Above the hut a marked stone shows you the way to SW. Now you only have to walk on the well recognizable path and enjoy the treeless mountain world with its lush vegetation. Passing below the Hüttenkofel (from the top left, the ring wall looks down on you), the path leads in easy climbs and short flat passages towards the top of the mountain. In the last section immediately below the summit structure, you mobilize your strength once again and look forward to the imminent summit victory.

Once they reach the summit cross, they will find that the efforts of the climb were well worth it. Because the panorama is both magnificent and tremendous:

To the north, the Gailtal Alps with the mighty rock massif of the Reißkofel are just off the coast. Behind it the Hohe Tauern and various mountain groups of Upper Carinthia. From the west, the highest elevation in the Carnic Alps greets you at 2,780 m - the Hohe Warte. A little further north you can see the Lienz Dolomites, and on a clear day, the Großglockner. In the east, for example, the striking features of the Trogkofel and Gartnerkofel cannot be overlooked. And the beauty of the Julian Alps in the south speaks for itself anyway.

Let it all sink in during your well-deserved break at the summit. You have "earned" this moment for yourself.

DESCRIPTION OF THE WAY (descent):

For the descent you can choose between two options:

Either you return to the Rattendorfer Alm on the ascent path or you take the path over the ridge to the east and slightly NE, past the upper edge of the wind shovel, towards the Rattendorfer Riegelalm (1,529 m). From there, you can return along the gravelled alpine path - including numerous marked shortcuts - to the crossroads that you remembered during your car drive to the Rattendorfer Alm a few hours ago. The fact that from here they are not spared the way back to the car is only mentioned in passing. But in view of a hearty snack on the Rattendorfer Alm, even this should not be a problem anymore. In a way, as the crowning glory of a challenging mountain tour.

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