Stage 2: Via the Salzsteig in the Volkzein

Following old tracks

It wasn't always as lonely as today. We follow the Salzsteig in the Winkeltal, which leads up to 2,583 m via the Villgrater Joch to Hopfgarten. We leave the high valley and climb over the Brunnalm up to lofty heights to the Hofer Kreuz. In between there are spectacular views of Poseidon's spear, the Sichelspitze, the Defereggental, the Kristeinertal. At some point the Gölbner summit cross shows up, ancient cattle pens from stone walls tell of wild animals, of shepherds and their herds, who spent the summer here a long time ago. At the top there is a view to the south and north and the great mountain personalities of the Eastern Alps, the Großvenediger, the Großglockner and many more show themselves in all their glory. The trump card in the game is the summit of the Regenstein (2,891 m).

Directions

From the Reiterstube into the valley on the left side, passing the Mooshofalm 1530m. The Niederbruggeralm 1600m is passed on the left side of the stream until the road towards Volkzein is reached again. There at the Brunneralm 1630m, the path 58 shows the way up. First the Unterarnalm is reached, then the Oberarnalm at 1960m. The path leads uphill from the Upper Arnkaser to the Bodenhütte. Along the marking no. 323, an old cattle trail leads us up over a medium-sized lawn flank and we reach the signposts after a short log valley. At the signpost we follow the marking no. 23 to the Mitterberg and from here the path no. 24 to the Hoferalm. A bit after the Hoferalm, the way points right up to the Villgrater Joch at 2583m (Hofer Kreuz). The same descent from Hofer Kreuz and a tablet on a Steinmann point to the Volkzeiner Hütte (No. 324). Following path no. 324, we come up slightly to a cattle pen made of stones and later on a slope shoulder. Behind it spreads a wonderful terrace floor, on which we reach the Leisacheralm. Descending over alpine pastures and meadows, we can already see the alpine pastures of Volkzein down in the valley, with accommodation in the Volkzeinerhütte.