Mallnitz - Hinterer Geißlkopf (via Hagener Hütte)

Access to starting point:
Arriving by train in Mallnitz is a good option because it allows crossing from the southern side of the Hohe Tauern to the northern side and then returning by train through the Tauern tunnel, which with 8371 m is the longest railway tunnel through the Hohe Tauern. Between Mallnitz and Bad Gastein through the tunnel there is also a motorail service. The nearest road connection is 178 kilometres long.

Drive to Spittal and take the exit for Lienz. Then follow the regional road past Lendorf, after which after a few kilometres turn right in the direction of Möllbrücke, Mühldorf and Obervellach. Soon after Obervellach turn right towards Mallnitz. In Mallnitz drive past the railway station (also motorail to Bad Gastein through the 8371 m long Tauern tunnel).

Path description:
From the railway station 100 metres along the road towards Mallnitz. Before the Seebach stream turn right and follow the signs for Via Alpina. The path runs along the stream to the first houses in Mallnitz. Here turn left over the bridge, after the bridge right to the main road, where there is a junction with many green signposts. Follow the left road towards Jamnigalm and Hagener Hütte.

Follow the road out of Mallnitz to the last houses, where turn right and climb to the more attractive footpath. Alternatively, the road can be followed. The path first climbs and then runs about 50 metres above the road, which is rarely visible. The path has many benches and interesting information, stories and fairy tales, so it is very popular in summer for short walks with children. Follow the signs for Jamnigalm, Hagener Hütte or Stockerhütte throughout. There is an unmarked fork and here continue left, knowing that the road will be crossed again later. The path is then flat, sometimes even slightly losing height until it reaches the road. Cross the road onto the forest track, which then runs through the forest. Soon the path to Stockerhütte branches right (the last hut before the barrier, toll 4 euros). From here the path becomes steeper, but remains wide until the pasture fence. Follow the signs for Jamnigalm or path number 110. Soon after the barrier the forest starts to thin and the path becomes more scenic with better views over the valley and Mallnitz. After some steeper sections and crossing torrent beds the path levels out and the rocks of Jamnig appear. The path leads to the road below the alm, then 5 minutes more to the alm.

The forest ends at the alm. To the hut follow the wide path which climbs gently and occasionally in switchbacks. On the left are clearly visible Feldseekopf and Vorderer Geißlkopf, on the right the slopes of Greilkopf rise. The path forks only five minutes before the hut, where turn left.

From the hut descend to the signposts where there is a bell, and continue west. The path gently leads to a ground-level spring and then begins to climb. About 150 height metres later the path reaches the saddle, from where the 2727 m high Westerfrölkekogel rises to the north. The path is a bit gravelly just below the saddle and requires careful steps. Since the ridge rises very steeply to the left of the saddle, the path traverses it in the lower right part, first descending into a small basin, across which some rock slabs must be crossed and then ascending to the ridge.

The ridge is then a nice plateau-like area which first climbs gently, then becomes steeper again. The path leads over a kind of forepeak, from where there is a nice view of the summit of Vorderer Geißlkopf. In early summer - possibly until the beginning of August and in early autumn (e.g. first snow) - snow persists on the northern slopes.

The path then runs along the northern slope below the summit of Vorderer Geißlkopf to the ridge between Vorderer and Hinterer Geißlkopf. From here just follow the ridge west to the summit, from where there is a nice view of the neighbouring summit Vorderer Geißlkopf and the lake and Feldseekopf to the south. In the distance to the west the Großglockner is also visible. North about 1500 metres lower lies the valley leading to Sportgastein.

Mallnitz - Jamnigalm (2 h 30 min); Jamnigalm - Hagener Hütte (2 h 30 min); Hagener Hütte – Hinterer Geißlkopf (2 h 10 min).

On the way: Jamnigalm (1750m), Stockerhütte (1290m), Seebach (1191m), Hagener Hütte (2446m)