Mountain lakes, a hut and lots of mountain happiness.
From the Hauserbauer, left on a small road past the oldest chapel in Gastein to the Mitterhauser. Steep at first on a tractor path, then on a beautifully designed trail up to the forest. Through mountain forest to the Steiner Hochalm, a sunny spot serving regional favorites.
We then continue mostly across high meadows with magnificent flora, climbing pleasantly to an alpine saddle. From here, a small trail leads west to the cross on the Gasteiner Höhe. The view of Gastein valley and the Tauern peaks is thrilling. We now return to the saddle and drop down into the nature sanctuary to the Upper Paarsee – perhaps we will already see in the background the imposing, towering south walls of the Hochkönig. If you like, you can briefly follow the tracks and continue hiking down to the significantly bigger Lower Paarsee.