Mallnitz - Vordere Geislspitze / Vorderer Gesselkopf (via Feldseescharte)

Access to starting point:
Arriving by train in Mallnitz is one of the good options because it allows crossing from the south side of the Hohe Tauern to the north 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 also runs the motorail. The nearest road connection is 178 kilometres long. Access by car: motorway to Spittal and exit for Lienz. Then 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 8371 m long Tauern Tunnel).

Path description:
From the railway station 100 meters along the road towards Mallnitz. Before the stream Seebach 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 and then reach the main road where there is nearby a crossroads with many green signposts. Turn onto the left road where the signs for Jamnigalm and Hagener Hütte point. Then follow the road out of Mallnitz to the last houses, where turn right and ascend to the more attractive footpath. Alternatively, the road can be followed.

The path initially ascends and then runs about 50 meters above the road, which is rarely seen. The path has many benches and interesting information, stories and fairy tales, so it is very popular in summer for short walks with children. On the path always follow the signs for Jamnigalm, Hagener Hütte or Stockerhütte. At one point there is an unmarked fork and there continue left with the thought that the road is crossed again later. The path is then level, at times even slightly losing height until it reaches the road. Cross the road at the parking area which then runs through the forest. Soon the path to Stockerhütte branches right, the last hut before the road barrier (toll 4 euros). From here the path becomes steeper but is still wide up to the pasture fence. Always follow the signs for Jamnigalm or path number 110. Soon after the barrier the forest thins and the path becomes more scenic offering ever better views over the valley and Mallnitz. After some steeper sections and crossing torrent beds the path levels out and the slopes of the Jamnig pasture appear. The path leads to the road under the pasture, after which it is another 5 minutes walk to the pasture.

At Jamnig pasture continue left. At the beginning the path crosses grassy slopes and ascends very gently towards the west. The path then enters a steeper section where entire slopes are covered with blueberries (therefore the area is popular with pickers). Occasionally cross some torrent stream where it is good to have a long stride (some child may have difficulties here). The path is steepest in the last third where it ascends the slopes towards the bivouac. The path then joins the Hagenerweg path leading to Hagener Hut. To the left, 5 minutes walk away, is the Feldsee saddle (Feldseescharte) and bivouac (Dr. Rudolf Weißgerber Biwak).

Turn right onto the path towards Hagener Hut. However, follow the path for only a minute or two. Approach the ridge behind two several tens of meters high peaks protruding from the ridge (i.e. between the bivouac and the entry gully for Vorderer Geißlkopf). The continuation looks more difficult from afar than it is in reality. The approach to the ridge is unmarked and the path trace is initially poorly visible. On the ridge the direction to the fairly steep gully is logical. At the entry gully there is steep scree which the path overcomes in zigzag over several meter-long sections. In this section lower-lying lakes of beautiful green colors steal the views. Then under the south wall of Vorderer Geißlkopf ascend a bit more on somewhat more tolerable scree terrain and finally cross the slope to the west. On the path there is a meter-high rocky step (and some smaller sinkhole). The ground becomes firmer and less steep and soon the ridge between Vorderer and Hinterer Geißlkopf is reached.

To Vorderer Geißlkopf the path leads directly along its west slope. Here the technically most demanding part is a few meters below the summit, where a few meters of steel cable assist (but 10 meters aside an easier passage can be found). At the summit a cross and summit logbook await the hiker. From the summit numerous three-thousanders are nicely visible. To the west nearest is Schareck, farther Sonnblick, to the east Ankogel and Hochalmspitze.

Mallnitz – Jamnigalm (2h 30min); Jamnigalm - Bivak Dr. Rudolf Weißgerber / Feldseescharte (3 h 10 min); bivak – Vorderer Geißlkopf (1h 10 min).

On the way: Seebach (1191m), Stockerhütte (1290m), Jamnigalm (1750m), Dr. Rudolf Weißgerber Biwak (bivouac) (2712m)