Steep ascents, steep descents: Stage two winds through magnificent mountain scenery, taking hikers over mountain notches, passes, rope-secured sections, and scree slopes. At the cozy Württemberger Haus, the hardships are quickly forgotten.
Stage two is the most challenging part of the tour. For about four hours, you’ll be hiking mainly on steep slopes and tackling difficult mountain climbs that require practice, experience, and absolute surefootedness. The high-altitude trail coincides with the Adlerweg in some sections. Only once you’ve reached the Gebäudjoch (2,452 m) do you stop climbing, as from there the trail descends steeply over grassy slopes and switchbacks to the Württemberger Haus at 2,220 meters.
This is where the challenging high-altitude trail begins—running through several demanding mountain passes and notches along Stage 20 of the Adlerweg—leading to the Württemberger Haus. The trail climbs gently up to the Steinkar Saddle and continues over grassy slopes and scree fields before becoming steeper as it winds through rocks and then over gravel toward the Roßkar Saddle. After the saddle, the trail descends steeply through a narrow rock gully (ropes), then down a scree slope in the cirque, which widens slightly. Finally, the route climbs steeply up to the Gebäudjoch. It continues down a steep, unsecured trail, over grassy slopes, and finally in switchbacks to the Württemberger Haus.
