If you want to do some hiking this summer in Austria but don’t want to commit to anything too long, challenging, or strenuous, the Schmittenhöhe is for you. Being both easy and incredibly rewarding, the Schmittenhöhe hike makes for the perfect day out in the Austrian Alps. Here’s what you need to know to add this activity to your Zell am See itinerary. Enjoy!
The perfect day hike
My friend Amanda and I take summer road trips around Europe together every year. And while we have tons of travel goals in common, we clash at one very specific point–hiking. I enjoy long, epic treks through remote mountain ranges (like the 3-country, 110km Tour du Mont Blanc), and Amanda… well… let’s just say she doesn’t. (But she did hike the Inca Trail with me!)
However, no Austrian road trip would be complete without spending some quality hiking time in the mountains. And since Amanda agrees, we were able to find a compromise. And that’s where the Schmittenhöhe hike comes in. This hike is perfect in that it’s easy to get to (and leave from), isn’t technically difficult, isn’t too long, offers incredible views, and even includes transportation up and down the mountain.
See more of my favorite hiking adventures here.
What is the Schmittenhöhe?
The Schmittenhöhe is a mountain in the Austrian Alps that rises above the town (and lake) of Zell am See. At 1,965m (6,446’) elevation, it’s a relatively “small” mountain but one that’s perfect for year-round outdoor adventures. The Schmittenhöhe is most popular for winter sports, but in the summer offers a ton of great hiking trails and jumping off points for paragliders.
Fun fact: The Schmittenhöhe is known as the “Sun Child” of the Alps due to the fact that it sees sun almost every day. That goes for the winter too when 80% of its slopes are sun-drenched.
What is the Schmittenhöhe hike?
There are several hiking trails on and around the Schmittenhöhe, but to copy the perfect day hike we did, there’s one specific route you’ll want to take. Essentially, the Schmittenhöhe day hike is an easy 1.5-hour loop above the town of Zell am See. (I’m calling this a loop hike because you do start and end in the same place, but with a few amendments.)
For this perfect Schmittenhöhe day hike, you’ll need to:
Along the way you’ll be able to stop at a couple of lookout areas, a fantastic restaurant, and more. You could totally finish this hike in under an hour, but why rush it? There’s a lot to see up here (and from here) so take your time and soak it all in.
Where does the Schmittenhöhe hike begin and end?
This Schmittenhöhe day hike begins and ends in the parking area for the Schmittenhöhebahn. Parking at the Schmittenhöhebahn is free (but it is limited so you may need to circle a few times depending on what time you arrive).
After parking, make your way up to the Schmittenhöhebahn station where you can buy passes for the cable cars. You can buy a round-trip pass that gets you up the mountain via the Schmittenhöhebahn and down via the Sonnkogel and Sonnenalmbahns. And if you wanted to hike either up or down, you can buy gondola passes for just one of those legs too.
When you descend the mountain via the Sonnenalmbahn after your hike, you’ll end up right back at the same parking area where you started. How beautiful is that?
If you wanted to extend both the length and challenge of this hike, you can absolutely hike to the top of the mountain and back down. Even in this scenario this hike still begins and ends in the parking area. If you do go this route, you won’t need to purchase cable car passes.
Schmittenhöhe hike trail map
The map below includes all the important spots related to the Schmittenhöhe day hike that I mention in this post. Save this map by clicking the star ⭑ next to the map’s title. Use this map when you get here by opening Google Maps on your phone, clicking “Saved” at the bottom, then clicking “Maps.”
How to get to the Schmittenhöhe hike?
The easiest way to get to the trailhead is to drive (but this only works if you have your own car). There are a couple of free parking areas at and near the base of the Schmittenhöhebahn so it really couldn’t be easier. Rent a car here if you need one.
If you don’t have your own car, you can take the 71 bus from the center of Zell am See right to the Schmittenhöhebahn. See the timetable here.
Pro tip: Be sure when you check into your Zell am See hotel that they give you the free Guest Mobility Ticket. This allows you to travel on public transportation for free throughout your entire visit. More info here.
What to expect on the Schmittenhöhe day hike
Here’s a quick rundown of what you can expect from the Schmittenhöhe day hike:
- Distance: About 2.5km (1.6 miles)
- Route type: Loop
- Time to complete: Around 1.5 hours
- Elevation gain/loss: 56m up/154m down (183’ up/505’ down)
- Terrain: Well-worn gravel/dirt hiking trails
- Conditions: Almost fully exposed, some tree cover, expect lots of sun
- Difficulty: Easy
This specific hike is known as Die Höhenpromenade (the High Altitude Promenade).
Disclaimer
Always hike at your own risk. Every hike (no matter how easy) comes with inherent risks. Never push yourself beyond your limitations, always listen to your body, and consider consulting a physician beforehand. The information in this post is based on my own personal experiences (which could mean different things for you).
How long is the Schmittenhöhe day hike?
Distance: The Schmittenhöhe day hike as I’m describing it is 2.5km (or about 1.6 miles) total walking. This is the distance from the top of the Schmittenhöhebahn to the top of the Sonnkogelbahn, i.e., just the distance you actually have to hike. This does not include the trips up and down on the cable cars.
Time: Without including the trips up and down the mountain, this hike should only take about 1.5 hours. However, if you choose to stop at any of the restaurants, or stop every five minutes to take photos like me, you should budget for a little longer.
Schmittenhöhe day hike difficulty
The high-altitude Schmittenhöhe day hike is one of the easiest hikes I’ve ever done. If you can walk a straight line, you can easily complete this hike. There is relatively little elevation gain and loss, the trail couldn’t be easier to follow, and the terrain is flat. There’s almost zero challenge to this hike (unless you’re afraid of heights, of course).
Schmittenhöhe accessibility
One awesome thing about this mountain is that it’s wheelchair friendly. I can’t speak to the accessibility of the hike itself, but you can still go up to the top to enjoy the views, the restaurants, and much of the surroundings.
The Schmittenhöhebahn, the Sonnkogelbahn, and the Sonnenalmbahn are all wheelchair accessible. The same goes for the restaurants and viewing areas at the top. You can read more about that here.
Can you do the Schmittenhöhe hike with kids?
Yes, absolutely. This mountain and its hiking trails are incredibly family-friendly. In fact, it’s actually a “certified family mountain,” whatever that means. Along the trail there are play areas for kids, lots of kid-friendly learning opportunities, and more.
Pro tip: Keep your ears open for the real-life cuckoo birds! (I was probably way more excited to hear this than I should’ve been. But they sound exactly like the cuckoo clock I have at home!)
What to see & do on the Schmittenhöhe hike
Besides the actual hike itself, there are plenty of other ways to stay entertained up here.
Lookout areas
There are several lookout points along this trail where you can get some stunning mountain views. The biggest and most popular is the “Kaiserblick” Panorama Platform just a few steps from the Schmittenhöhebahn station at the top. This platform is brand new (summer 2024), has a glass floor, and juts out over the mountainside. From here, you can see 30 different 10,000-foot peaks.
Restaurants
You don’t need to worry about packing a lunch for your hike because there are several restaurants up here at the top.
The first one you’ll come to is the restaurant at the Berghotel, which again is located right at the cable car station. This is where Amanda and I ate lunch and it was fantastic. It gets understandably busy, so expect a bit of a wait and slower service than you’re used to, but the setting and experience makes it all worth it. We even had a group of lederhosen-clad yodelers performing for us! (Be prepared to sit with other hikers if you don’t want to wait.)
Some other restaurants on or near the trail (that are open in the summer) include:
Other sights
Some other things to look out for on the trail include:
Tips for hiking the Schmittenhöhe
To help you have the best possible experience on this Schmittenhöhe day hike, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:
1. Allow for more time than you need
You can easily finish this hike in a hour, but you probably won’t want to. Between the awesome patio dining, the viewing platforms, and all the photo opportunities, chances are you’ll stretch out your time up here beyond even the 1.5-hour mark.
Beyond that, don’t forget about the time needed to ride the cable car up the mountain, and then the two gondolas you’ll need to take down at the end. Each cable car ride takes less than 10 minutes, but you’ll probably have to wait in a short line at the beginning.
Don’t forget about the time needed to park your car and buy your gondola passes too.
2. Know the cable car times
It’s critical to know the operating times of the cable cars you’ll need for this hike. If your hike should go beyond the closing times, you’ll have to hike down the mountain. This isn’t the worst case scenario since it’s not Everest or anything, but it will be a whole situation. (Especially, umm, if you’re up here in a wheelchair.)
In the summer, the Schmittenhöhebahn (the cable car up the mountain) typically runs from 9am-5pm each day, from May 15 to October 5. Hours will vary at other times of the year.
The Sonnkogelbahn and Sonnenalmbahn (the gondolas down the mountain) also run from May 15 to October 5 but from 9:15am to 4:45pm. Don’t miss that last gondola!
3. Wear the right stuff
Even though this is a super easy hike, you’ll still want to come prepared with proper outdoor shoes, a hat and sunscreen, and light clothing layers.
4. Pack light
This hike isn’t super long or technical, so you really only need to bring the bare minimum with you. You won’t even need to pack food or snacks since you can easily purchase all of that at one of the restaurants along the trail. Keep reading for a list of the essentials.
What to pack for your Schmittenhöhe hike
While getting all your stuff together for your Austria trip, consider packing the following for your day on the Schmittenhöhe:
Where to stay in Zell am See
For when you’re ready to crash after your hike, here are some great places to stay in Zell am See, Austria:
More info for your trip to Austria
Like this post? Have questions about hiking the Schmittenhöhe? Let me know in the comments below. Happy trails!
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