Türlwandhütte - Seethalerhütte (Johann Klettersteig)

Access to starting point:
Through the Karawanks Tunnel, we drive into Austria, and then we continue driving on the Tauern highway. Further, we drive through the Katschberg tunnel and later also the Tauern tunnel / Tauerntunnel, and we follow the highway towards Salzburg (also Solnograd) only to the exit for Radstadt, Schladming. We continue on the road to the town of Schladming where we then continue left on the ascending road following the signs for Ramsau. In the settlement Ramsau, we continue another good 2 km on the mentioned road, and then we turn right onto a toll road, where signs for the gondola cable car direct us. We follow this road all the way to the large parking lot in front of the bottom station of the gondola cable car.

Route description:
From the parking lot, we continue past the bottom cableway station following the signs Südwandhütte. The path at first leads on the right side of the cableway through a thin larch forest, later turns to the left and crosses slopes towards the west. Soon the path towards the climbing garden (Klettergarten) branches off to the right. We still cross the slopes towards the west and from the left joins the path from a lower starting point. From the junction then follows approximately 10 minutes of walking on a scenic slope to the mountain hut Südwandhütte.
From the mountain hut, we continue following the signs »Johann Klettersteig« and in a gentle descent cross the slope towards the north. The path quickly brings us to a junction where the path branches off to the left downwards towards the climbing path Anna. We continue straight ahead and soon come to the scree. Here the path turns left and starts ascending. Further on, the path mostly gently ascends and crosses slopes towards the west. Later the path brings us to a smaller saddle, where from the left joins the climbing path Anna, which leads over the peak Mitterstein.
The path, which is marked with red dots, continues to cross slopes towards the west. In early summer, snow fields may still be present on this section of the path. The path then turns right and ascends the scree to the entrance of the climbing path Johann Klettersteig.
The climbing path first ascends along the steel cable towards the wall (difficulty C), then a short crossing to the left follows, bringing us to the entry overhang, which is the most difficult spot on the entire path (difficulty E). Through the overhang, pegs assist us, but nevertheless, a lot of arm strength is needed for the ascent. From the overhang, which is not overly long, a steep ascent with the help of pegs follows (difficulty D). For a short time, the path becomes a shade easier (difficulty B), then it steeply ascends again along the steel cable (difficulty C/D). Further on, the path ascends a steep slope for some time (difficulty up to B/C) and brings us to a short flat section where rest is possible.
The path becomes more demanding again and first ascends along the steel cable (C), bringing us to an even steeper section of the path. Further on, we ascend a mostly vertical wall upwards for some time, assisted by numerous pegs (C/D). Higher up, when we reach the spot called Adlerhorst (2470m), the path becomes even more exposed and ascends a vertical smooth wall (D). The vertical ascent is relatively long, but numerous pegs also assist on this section, facilitating the climb. The path then brings us to a somewhat wider ledge where there is a lot of loose rock, so we must be very careful not to dislodge stones.
On the ledge, the path turns slightly right and after a short steep ascent (C/D) brings us to the logbook box at 2500m. Further on, the path becomes somewhat less demanding and only occasionally ascends more steeply. In the last part of the path towards the hut, the more demanding sections become more frequent (difficulty up to D). Right at the end of the climbing path Johann, an exposed exit traverse follows, bringing us to the hut Seethalerhütte. At the hut, located directly next to the glacier, a beautiful view opens towards the north and on the mountains above the glacier.
The described path is extremely demanding and rated with difficulty level E. The path is also relatively long, so it is suitable only for experienced mountaineers with sufficient fitness and a lot of arm strength.
We descend along the equipped path leading across the glacier to the upper station of the gondola cable car. Instead of the cable car, we can also descend on foot via the notch Hunerscharte (difficulty B).

Along the route: Dachstein Südwand Hütte (1910m)

The trip can be extended to the following destinations: Hoher Dachstein (3 h)

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