Your Hochkönig Region in Summer
A Mountain With Many Faces
With its 2,941 metres, the Hochkönig is one of the highest peaks in the province of Salzburg and geographically one of the most prominent mountains in the Alps. The mountain massif rises impressively and unmistakably as the highest mountain range in the Berchtesgaden Alps. At its feet, three villages form part of the Hochkönig region: Dienten, Maria Alm and Mühlbach. These can be wonderfully combined on hiking tours in summer.
The Hochkönig
The Hochkönig is impressive from every perspective: from one side it presents itself as an even, peaceful ridge and well-known postcard motif, from the other side it is rugged and furrowed – simply awe-inspiring, as befits a king. As in the rest of the Berchtesgaden Alps, the mountain base of the Hochkönig consists of friable ramsaudolomite.
In the summit area, on the other hand, the firmer Dachstein limestone is predominant. At the foot of the Hochkönig, on the Mitterberg in the holiday village of Mühlbach, copper mining has been practised since the Neolithic Age. Even though the mine was closed down in 1977, it is still worth visiting the mining museum and the show tunnel. Iron ore was also mined in Dienten until 1960.
The summit plateau of the Hochkönig bears a glacier that reaches down to about 2,600 to 2,700 metres and is known to many from the world of legends: the Übergossene Alm. In the area of today’s plateau glacier there is said to have once been a flourishing alpine pasture whose inhabitants lived in haughty exuberance until the punishment of heaven poured over the alp in the form of an eternal layer of ice.
First Ascent
The Hochkönig was first conquered by tourists in 1826 by the theology professor Peter Carl Thurwieser. The ascent was made via today’s normal route through the Ochsenkar from the Arthurhaus in Mühlbach am Hochkönig, which is the easiest variant. At the top of the peak at 2,941 metres, Matrashaus is one of the highest refuges in the Eastern Alps.
Your active summer in Dienten am Hochkönig
Thanks to its grippy limestone and unique topography, the Hochkönig is a climbing paradise par excellence that need not fear comparison with climbing Eldorados such as Chamonix in France. From a somewhat greater distance, you can view the Hochkönig while hiking or cycling in your holiday region in Salzburger Land. But there is also always a place to enjoy and relax surrounded by soothing nature on the Hochkönig, for example on the 50 alpine pastures and managed huts.
Numerous mountain railways open up the Hochkönig region, some of which also transport you to lofty heights in summer. With the Hochkönig Card you not only ride the mountain railways for free in summer, but also enjoy many other services and discounts.
Discover the full beauty of alpine nature that reveals itself on the Hochkönig in the warm months. For your holiday in the summery Hochkönig region, send a non-binding enquiry to the Wildbach Lodge in Dienten today!
