Having spent the night at the Stüdlhütte hut – the closest you will get to the majestic Großglockner peak along the Eagle Walk – the route heads southward through improbably gorgeous landscape. Reaching Pfortscharte ridge along the Johann-Stüdl-Weg trail, stop to take in newly emerging views of the Salmhütte and wave a hello to the neighbouring Austrian province of Carinthia. Then follow the Luckner Weg trail to the Glorerhütte at Berger Törl, from where a scenic trail ambles down through rolling alpine meadows into the valley of Bergerbach. Eventually you will reach the end of the Eagle Walk at the Lucknerhaus hut. From here, the scenic Kals Glocknerstraße road snakes down to Kals. Getting to the destination is a cause for celebration, and the sunny lodge is a good place to call it a day and savour the last spectacular views of the Großglockner.
Difficult stage on black mountain paths. Sure-footedness, a head for heights and alpine skills required for the Pfortscharte. It forms an exposed passage with scree, scree steps and steep sections, some of which have to be overcome with the help of steel ropes firmly anchored into the rock. Beware of the risk of lightning. Good physical condition required.
trail description: From Stüdl Hut, located on Fanotscharte Notch at an elevation of 2,802 metres, start off with a five minute climb northward. Then, follow signage eastward to “Pfortscharte, Salmhütte, Glorer Hütte” and eventually head south-eastward along Trail No. AV 713. This trail skirts the moraines of Ködnitzkees Glacier and intercepts the Johann-Stüdl-Trail (No. AV 702 B) above Viehböden. Well-maintained in this section, the trail winds up through tussock slopes. Cross a scree cirque and continue hiking upward. When reaching a fork in the cirque, don’t turn right to the rocks but continue uphill through the cirque, heading towards Salm Hut. The trail vigorously winds up in short switchbacks across scree and talus (yet on stable ground) onto Pfortscharte Notch. On the other side of the notch, descend along a short section on similar terrain. When you come to a fork, head south towards “Glorer Hütte” and follow Luckner Trail through undulating grassy terrain and past Upper Glatzsee Lake to Glorer Hut at Berger Törl (elev. 2,651m).
Rolling Alpine meadows blanket the broad valley of Bergtal with moraines left over from a time when this area was covered by ice, reaching down to the hollow where Glatzbach Brook flows. Beyond Glorer Hut, the trail parallels the telpher line down to the valley, crossing streams and rivulets and traversing mountain meadows. In this area it's important to practice the principles of Leave No Trace and good wilderness etiquette so please do stick to the trail. Eventually, the trail emerges onto a dirt road that brings you down to Lucknerhaus Lodge, destination and end of the Eagle Walk in East Tirol—or, its trailhead and beginning, if you decide hiking the Eagle Walk counter-clockwise. But at the end of the walk, you will be in awe of the area no matter which way you elect to go.