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From 2026, our blog posts will be exclusively vegan! This means: we emphasise vegan-friendly places and refreshment stops to actively support vegan activities and vegan leisure tips. The hike to the Brunnkogel offers you a very varied route, a decent altitude difference and a refreshment stop at the Hochleckenhaus. Here, the journey really is the reward: in addition to the Brunnkogel, there are three other peaks waiting to be visited.
For the hike up the Brunnkogel, we started at the Taferlklaussee car park. The first section went uphill on a gravel path and then continued through the forest. The last section led up a rocky path via hairpin bends. First we went over the Hochleckenkogel and the Mathias Kogl to the Brunnkogel. The rest of the route led to the Jagerköpfl and the Hochleckenhaus was the last stop on the plan.
Directions and parking facilities
Car parking facilities:
You can stop at the car park at Taferlklaussee for the hike up the Brunnkogel. There is a large gravelled area here, which provides enough space for the cars. Nevertheless, I would recommend starting the tour soon enough.
Route description and key data for the hike up the Brunnkogel
The first section leads uphill from the car park for about a kilometre along a gravel path. You then enter a section of forest where you have to climb a little higher two or three times. This is the most strenuous part for me. The next section has quite a few metres of elevation gain in store for you. For around 2 kilometres, you hike up over rocks and have to climb quite a bit. Once you've managed that, the worst is over. After that, the trail continues slightly uphill for just under a kilometre.
Here you have already reached your first destination, the Hochleckenkogel. Enjoy a short break and take a photo of the summit cross before continuing on. Station two: Mathias Kogl, a short stopover with a small summit cross. For this, you first follow the path downhill, just so that you can go uphill again shortly afterwards. At the top, turn right and follow the path for about 200 metres. However, the main destination follows now, the Brunnkogel. To reach it, you have to go in exactly the opposite direction. But don't panic, it's only slightly uphill and you'll be there in less than a kilometre.
Here you can take a short break, enjoy the view and recharge your batteries. Until the trail continues again. You head back towards Hochleckenkogel, but before you tackle the passage to the top, turn left. The signposting here is somewhat poor, or rather non-existent. A beautiful path leads you here for about 1.5 kilometres to the Hochleckenhaus, but before we recharge our batteries here, have a drink and a snack, we head to the Jager Köpfl.
About halfway up, you can branch off to the left and after about 15 minutes and a short crisp section over rocks, you have reached your last stopover. Summit cross number 4 and for me the most beautiful view on the hike up the Brunnkogel. This little diversions is definitely worth it. Now it's really on to the Hochleckenhaus, where you can finally stop for a bite to eat after almost 7 kilometres. The way back takes you downhill on a hiking/gravel path. After about two kilometres, i.e. halfway down, you reach the rocky section again. The last two kilometres are therefore familiar to you and lead you back down to the Taferlklaussee car park.
Key data
- ✅ Highest point 1708 m
- ✅ Distance 11.6 kilometres
- ✅ 950 metres in altitude
- ✅ 4 - 4.5 hours return journey
- ✅ Refreshments available
- ✅ Very varied
- ✅ Possible with children, but enjoy with caution - risk of falling and also consider the length of the tour!!!!
- ✅ You can visit 4 peaks at once
- ⚠️ Sturdy footwear
- ⚠️ Not possible with a pushchair
- ⚠️ Surefootedness
- ⚠️ No fear of heights
- ⚠️ Grazing cattle available
⚠️ ATTENTION: We expressly point out that we accept no liability for accidents or possibly closed trails. Before hiking, check the availability of the trail and reflect on your own fitness.
What else awaits you on the hike up the Brunnkogel
Refreshment stop
The Hochleckenhaus: It is located at 1572 metres above sea level and is, for me, one of the most beautiful and best huts for refreshments on a mountain. Super friendly staff who make you feel right at home, really good food and a fantastic view in all directions.
The Hochleckenhaus will be open for you from 14 April 2024 until the bank holidays on 26 October 2024 (even in bad weather). But that's not all, you can also spend the night here. For €26 (€14 for OeAV members) per person you can get a room and for €22 (€10 for OeAV members) per person you can find a place in the dormitory.
More than just a summit - little insider tips
You can vary this tour a lot and don't have to visit every summit cross. I would recommend it to everyone, as it is really worthwhile, but it is not a must.
When hiking up the Brunnkogel, you can decide right from the start to only make a trip to the Hochleckenhaus. To do this, you can turn off after around three kilometres and don't have to hike to a single summit cross. However, if you prefer, you can also go via the Hochleckenkogel and then take the direct route to the Hochleckenhaus.
You can take every single stop on this tour or simply shorten the route. Feel free, if the Hochleckenkogel is not enough for you, just walk up to the Brunnkogel. For a few more metres, simply take the Mathias Kogl with you and for the crowning glory there is the Jagerköpfl. Everything can, nothing has to, I think this is the best option.
My summary of the hike up the Brunnkogel
For me, it was the longest and highest tour so far this year (as of August 2024). I think it's one of the best adventures there is. There are so many different paths, so many ways to organise this hike and, above all, so many wonderful stops that you have to see. Every single stopover has its own charm. Even on the way up, you are rewarded with a marvellous view, but at Brunnkogel and Jagerköpfl you won't be able to stop marvelling.
Yes, it has to be said that the tour, with its 11.5 kilometres and almost 1,000 metres of elevation gain, is not for beginners. You should bring a certain level of fitness with you, or decide to just go to the Hochleckenhaus. Which brings me to my next highlight: the refreshment stop. The Hochleckenhaus takes the hike up the Brunnkogel to a whole new level. For me, it's simply beautiful there. You feel at ease, can really enjoy your time and, above all, forget your worries. Friendly staff, delicious food and beautiful surroundings. You simply don't want to leave. This is the best way to describe the tour: Here, the journey really is the destination.
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If you enjoyed this tour, then the Hike up the Großer Schoberstein be something for you too.
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1 Comment
Thanks for the tip, I did it straight away today after reading it in the morning. It was a mega hike, brilliant clouds, great animal sightings, but also pretty exhausting. In addition to the obligatory mountain choughs, I spotted two (presumed) kestrels on the Brunnkogel, hiked in the clouds on the descent (which unfortunately meant I didn't see the chamois), further down there were lots of butterfly bushes with lots of butterflies and at Taferlklaussee I honestly didn't have the energy to catch the dragonflies. I did manage to shoot a sleeping duck. And somewhere near the lake there would have been a waterfall (no idea if it's active now)? But top tip, thanks!!!
Michael (from the Gesäuse spring hike)