Long-distance hike Eagle Walk Stage 05: Gasthof Buchacker - Pinegg

This walk is largely for those who love hiking uphill, steeply! The gradient will keep you busy as you follow the trails up, up, up. However, all that hard work is certainly worth the effort thanks to the majestic views of the Rofan Mountains. Plessenberg mountain, also called “Blessinger” by the locals, is part of the “triple treat” comprising the Kienberg, Plessenberg and Heuberg peaks, which are located in close proximity to one another. Once you have summitted this peak and the easier Kienberg, an area with the tempting name “Einkehrboden” – "retreat area" – awaits. However, for a bite to eat and warm bed you will have to wait until you get to Pinegg, the destination of this stage. We recommend the Gwercherwirt inn. Pinegg is a part of Brandenberg, an idyllic settlement on a sunny plateau.

Description

Starting point: Gasthof Buchacker

From the Gasthof Buchacker inn it is a gentle downhill stroll along a forest road until you reach a turnoff. Bear right towards “Hasatal” and continue walking. At the next fork aim left and head up, then right onto a signed track (“Nachbergalmen”). Climbing steeply, the trail works its way up to Nachberg Hochleger and across wide open alpine pastures to the Ascherjoch ridge at an elevation of 1,458 metres. This is where your vertical adventure is just beginning, taking you up, up, up  to the top of the 1,743-metre Plessenberg mountain, assisted by a fixed anchoring system of cables, steps and ladders. Catch your breath and scan the horizon. Savour one of the finest vantage points for admiring the rugged and lofty Kaiser Mountains. And if you can ever move your eyes away from these mesmerising mountains, a multitude of others demand your attention as well, from the Kitzbühel Alps and Rofan Mountains to the Zillertal Alps and Stubai Alps. If the weather is clear, you’ll even have views of Großglockner and Großvenediger, two of Austria's highest mountains. Walk down to Heubergsattel ridge and bear right towards Kienberg. The trail works its way up to the summit of Kienberg mountain through dwarf pine fields. At an elevation of 1,786 metres, this is the highest point on this stage. And from the highest elevation, the only way is down! Keep heading down along wide open alpine pastures, passing the two huts of Einkehralm and Heubrandalm, with a short, steep plunge from “Prama” to Pinegg at the end. Enjoy a hearty dinner at the Gasthof Gwercherwirt inn and call it a day, surrounded by the awesome beauty of the Brandenberg Valley.

Finishing point: Gasthof Gwercherwirt (Brandenberg)