Kreiskogel & Zirbitzkogel
OpenFrom the Winterleiten hut you pass the two Winterleiten lakes and climb up to the Kreiskogel and so have reached the first summit. With a view of the Ochsenboden and the Ochsenlacken there, you continue along the mountain path passing Wetterstation and Scharfes Eck to the Zirbitzkogel, where after a short ascent to the summit cross you can fortify yourself extensively in the Schutzhaus. The descent is along the Schreibersteig back to the starting point.
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Option 2: Drive by car from Obdach to St. Wolfgang. There, before the church, turn left and follow the road to the Winterleitenhütte.
The last section of the trail from the Schmelzhütte to the Winterleitenhütte is not as nice to drive as the section before and can alternatively easily be done on foot (approx. 40 minutes via the road/ approx. 30 minutes via the Sterngassl hiking trail).
Important note: Partly you are in a restricted military area, which can be temporarily inaccessible. Information about restricted times can be obtained by calling +43 3578 8212. Current information about restricted times can be found online on the HomePage of the Austrian Armed Forces. Telephone information is available at +43 664 6223401, +43 664 6223410 or +43 664 6223411.
Passing the Kleiner Winterleitensee on the right, walk along marker 315 A and ascend in the direction of the Großer Winterleitensee. After a short, partly somewhat soggy forest section, the trail leads over a beautiful alpine pasture with bushes and berry bushes. Contrary to the direct route to the Zirbitzkogel, continue to stay to the right along the marked path. After about 1 1/2 hours of steady uphill with a view of the summit, you have reached the Kreiskogel (2,306m).
Continue along hiking trail 312 south along the ridge of the Seetaler Alps. From here, with good visibility, you can look down on the Ochsenboden and even spot shy groundhogs. Passing the weather station at Scharfen Eck (2,364m), you reach the Zirbitzkogel (2396m) after a small final climb. From the summit cross you have a beautiful view of the surrounding mountain landscape. There is also a metal plate where you can see exactly in which direction, for example, the Dachstein, Ameringkogel or Hochschwab are located.
The way back is on the same path until the weather station. There, however, keep to the right along the marked trails 308/315 and descend via the Schreibersteig, which allows beautiful views down to the Lindersee. People who suffer from fear of heights might have their problems with the exposed Schreibersteig. Past Schlafer Kogel and Schloßerkogel with the mark 308 and then further 315 on the left, respectively, you return via the Winterleiten lakes to the Winterleiten hut.