Hike with many possibilities in the Hohe Tauern National Park
If you want to hike in the Hohe Tauern National Park, you don’t necessarily have to go high up.
Around the mountaineering village of Mallnitz there are some beautiful hiking tours with few ascents and descents, which you can start right on our doorstep.
One of them leads into the varied Tauern Valley, which has something to offer for all age groups. Families with children, leisure hikers and demanding sports enthusiasts will all find a suitable option here.
Because the Tauern Valley in the Hohe Tauern National Park can be experienced in several versions and thus rediscovered again and again.
In summer, the Tauern Valley impresses with lush green mountain meadows that transform the valley into a veritable sea of flowers.
Here we would like to present three options for exploring the Tauern Valley, which can of course also be combined into longer hikes:
- Easy hike to the Stockerhütte
- Easy to moderately difficult hike from the Stockerhütte to the Jamnigalm
- Medium-difficulty hike from the Jamnigalm to the Hagener Hütte
1st hike to the Stocker Hütte
We start our hike into the Tauerntal valley right on our doorstep on the edge of the mountaineering village of Mallnitz. The Mallnitzbach stream is our constant companion. We can also discover several mountain streams with small waterfalls.
Various routes can also be explored here:
- Along the asphalt road, through the middle of the valley
- On both sides parallel to the road, on one of the slightly elevated hiking trails
Key data for the hike
Duration: approx. 1 hour in one direction
Length: approx. 3 km in one direction
Gradient: low
Equipment: Light trekking shoes, possibly rucksack with drinks
Refreshment stops: Gasthof Gutenbrunn and Stockerhütte
Starting point: Apartments Hohenberger
Destination: Stockerhütte
Overall, this is an easy hike with easily accessible paths. You should have a certain basic fitness level, but no special skills are required.
The asphalted road to the Stockerhütte is generally easy to manage with a baby carriage or wheelchair. The tarmac road is also ideal for a cycle tour through the Tauerntal valley. Car traffic is very limited here. If you don’t want to walk to the Stockerhütte, you can usually take a bike or the hiking bus.
Thanks to the hiking trails on both sides of the road, you can choose different routes for the outward and return journeys. This allows you to discover the Tauerntal again and again.
Hiking through the seasons
The best time for this hike is between April and October. During this period, the entire route is accessible and the refreshment stop at the end of the trail – the Stockerhütte – is always open.
It is well worth exploring the Tauern Valley in spring, summer and fall. The alpine flora and fauna of the Hohe Tauern National Park offer different treasures that will delight all hikers with their beauty.
The tarmac road through the Tauerntal is also easily accessible in winter and attracts visitors with its snow-covered beauty. The Tauerntal can also be explored at this time of year on the cross-country ski trail that runs through the entire valley.
Refreshment stops
Gasthof Gutenbrunn is located halfway between Apartments Hohenberger and the Stockerhütte. It was recently taken over and offers an easily accessible refreshment stop with many regional delicacies.
Before starting the ascent to the Jamnigalm, the Stockerhütte lures with its extensive offer. Not only are there culinary delights on offer here, there are also all kinds of animals to discover around the hut – which is especially fun for children. From quails and bunnies to goats and llamas, there is plenty to see here.
At the Stockerhütte, there are all kinds of traditional hearty and sweet delicacies as well as refreshing drinks for hikers of all ages. For the family-run business, a focus on regional food, short transportation routes and the highest quality are a matter of course. Culinary pleasure hikers get their money’s worth here.
2. from the Stockerhütte to the Jamnigalm
From the Stockerhütte, the trail leads uphill to the Jamnigalm. If you don’t want to walk to the Stockerhütte, you can also cycle or drive along the asphalt road. Of course, there is also a hiking bus. There is a free parking lot for cars next to the Stockerhütte in summer.
Various routes can be explored again:
- Along the asphalted road, which can also be used by car for a toll
- Practice the beautiful hiking trail, the Old Roman Road, which winds its way upwards starting to the left of the parking lot
Key data for the hike
Duration: approx. 1 hour and 30 minutes in one direction
Length: approx. 4 km in one direction
Gradient: moderate (approx. 440 m altitude difference)
Equipment: light trekking shoes, possibly rucksack with drinks
Refreshments: Jamnigalm snack station and Stockerhütte hut
Starting point: Stockerhütte hut
Destination: Jamnigalm hut
Overall, this is a moderately demanding hike with well-marked paths that are easy to follow. You should be in good physical condition and sure-footed, but no special skills are required. Some of the hiking trails lead through the forest, which provides some shade. Waterproof footwear is also recommended on the hiking trails, as the stream is crossed repeatedly.
The asphalted road to the Jamnigalm snack station is also perfect for a bike tour. Car traffic is very limited here, as the road is subject to tolls. The hiking bus also runs between Stockerhütte and Jamnigalm.
We recommend using the hiking trails uphill and then taking the relaxed road back down.
Hiking through the seasons
The best time for this hike is also between April and October. During this period, the entire route is accessible and the refreshment stop at the end of the trail – the Stockerhütte – is always open. We recommend that you enquire about the opening times of the Jamnigalm snack station in advance.
It is well worth exploring this valley of the Tauern Valley in spring, summer and fall. The alpine flora and fauna of the Hohe Tauern National Park offer different treasures that will delight all hikers with their beauty.
In winter, the asphalt road between Stockerhütte and Jamnigalm is partly used as a toboggan run – which not only makes children’s hearts beat faster.
Refreshment stops
As already described, before the ascent to the Jamnigalm begins, the Stockerhütte offers a wide range of services. It’s a great place to linger before and after the hike to the Jamnigalm. Not only do you get your money’s worth in a culinary sense, there are also all sorts of animals to discover around the hut – which is of course especially fun for children. From quails and bunnies to goats and llamas, there is plenty to see here.
At the Stockerhütte, there are all kinds of traditional hearty and sweet delicacies as well as refreshing drinks for hikers of all ages. For the family-run business, a focus on regional food, short transportation routes and the highest quality are a matter of course. Culinary pleasure hikers get their money’s worth here.
The Jamnigalm snack station not only offers a wide range of traditional food and drink after conquering the 440 meters of altitude. From the sun terrace, you also have a wonderful view back down into the valley.
3. from the Jamnigalm to the Hagener Hütte
From the Jamnigalm, the trail continues uphill to the Hagener Hütte. If you don’t want to walk to the Jamnigalm, you can also travel along the asphalt road by bike or car. Of course, there is also a hiking bus. There is a free parking lot for cars next to the Stockerhütte, but there is a charge for driving on to the Jamnigalm.
This beautiful, medium-difficulty hike leads along some historical routes on the main Alpine ridge. The Romans crossed the main Alpine ridge here over 2000 years ago.
Key data for the hike
Duration: approx. 4 hours and 20 minutes in total
Length: approx. 11 km in total
Ascent: significant (approx. 670 vertical meters)
Equipment: good hiking boots and well-equipped rucksack
Refreshment stops: Jamnigalm snack station and Hagener Hütte hut
Starting point: Jamnigalm hut
Finish: Hagener Hütte hut
From the Jamnigalm, we head uphill in a northerly direction along clearly visible and marked paths. We cross the Tauernbach stream over a wooden bridge and pass a fence (watch out for grazing animals) and further along the main path we finally reach the
Kolbnitzberg alpine hut. Passing the Tauern Cross, we finally reach the historic Tauernhaus and a little later the Hagener Hütte.
For the way back, we recommend exploring the Römerstraße cultural hiking trail marked with blue dots just before the Jamnigalm alpine pasture, immediately after the bridge over the Laschgbach stream. This trail runs gently up and down directly downhill to the parking lot a little below the Jamnigalm.
Hiking through the seasons
The best time for this hike is between June and October. During this period, the entire route is usually easily accessible and the refreshment stops are open. Of course, it is advisable to check the current weather forecast and snow conditions in advance.
Sports enthusiasts also get their money’s worth here in winter, with a ski tour between Jamnigalm and Hagener Hütte.
Refreshment stops
As already described, the Jamnigalm snack station (1,750 m) not only offers a wide range of traditional food and drink. From the sun terrace, you also have a wonderful view back down into the valley. We can warmly recommend everything from cheese bread to pancake soup and Kaiserschmarren pancakes.
The Hagener Hütte (2,446 m) not only offers wonderful food and a sunny terrace, but also the opportunity to stay overnight. The Hagener Hütte is usually open from the end of June to the end of September. As a possible earlier or later opening depends on the weather conditions, we recommend that you obtain information from the hut landlord. The Hagener Hütte is owned by the Hagen section of the German Alpine Club.
FAQ about the Tauern Valley Tour
The hikes into the Tauerntal valley are suitable for everyone, young and old, with a good basic level of fitness. Especially from the Jamnigalm further uphill, a good level of fitness and good equipment is required. The degree of ascent or descent varies depending on the route chosen. Thanks to the many possibilities, it is easy to create an individually tailored tour.
Starting from the Mallnitz visitor center, guided hikes with rangers from the Hohe Tauern National Park are offered from time to time. More information can be found here: https://www.nationalpark-hohetauern.at/erlebnis-hohe-tauern/nationalpark-kaernten-card/nationalpark-rangerprogramme-sommer/
The opening times of the refreshment stops along the hike in the Tauerntal can be found on the respective websites. Starting from the center of Mallnitz, there is the Gasthof Gutenbrunn, the Stockerhütte, the Jamnigalm snack station and the Hagener Hütte. We can highly recommend all of them. When planning your hike, please allow enough time to stop for refreshments.
The travel times of the hiking bus can be found here: https://www.mallnitz.at/wanderbus-mallnitz-ort-berge
The journey times can of course also be found at the bus stops. For our guests, we have also posted them on the information board on the first floor of Apartments Hohenberger.
The hiking bus is free of charge for guests staying at Alpine Pearls accommodation, including Apartments Hohenberger. Not only do our guests gain time and comfort with the hiking bus, we also do something good for the environment by not using our own four wheels.
Early historical cultural monuments – such as the two Roman roads over the Mallnitzer and Korntauern – are only very rarely preserved above ground. The mighty road embankments made of dry stonework and the long crossways that cut through steep slopes give a unique impression of the impressive Roman road construction. As masters of road construction, the Romans built trade routes across the Hohe Tauern around 2,000 years ago. Their remains can still be seen today. But there has also been lively trade on the Roman roads in recent centuries. Salt, precious metals and wool were transported to the south and wine, valuable oils and spices to the north.
From the center of the mountaineering village of Mallnitz to the Jamnigalm, the Tauerntal can also be easily explored by bike on a paved road. The gradient is very gentle up to the Stockerhütte, but from there to the Jamnigalm it is quite challenging.
