Parkplatz Erichhütte - Hochkönig (Königsjodler)

Access to starting point:
Through the Karawanks Tunnel, we drive to Austria, and then we continue driving on Tauern highway. Further, we drive through the tunnel Katschberg and later also Tauerntunnel, we follow the highway towards Salzburg only to exit for Bischofshofen, from where we continue driving on a four-lane road towards the already mentioned town. From Bischofshofen we follow the signs for Höchkonig and Dienten am Höchkonig. The road starts ascending and brings us on a saddle Dientner sattel. From the saddle, we continue good 100 meters on the road which starts descending, and then we will on the right side of the road notice a parking lot on which we park.

Path description:
From the parking lot, we continue by following the signs »Erichhütte 30 min« on the mountain road which is closed for traffic. Macadam road on which we are ascending leads us by pastures with a nice view towards High Tauern and on the nearby peaks above the mountain hut Erichhütte. The path then leads us through a short lane of a forest where we also cross a smaller stream. Further, the path again runs by pastures all the way to the mountain hut Erichhütte on the mountain pasture Schönbergalm.
From the mountain hut, we continue right following the signs »Königsjodler Klettersteig, Hochkönig« and we start slightly ascending on grassy slopes towards the northeast. The path soon brings us to a crossing where we continue left in the direction of Hochkönig, and right leads the path towards the summit Taghaube (2159 meters).
The further path is for some time ascending by rare dwarf pines, and then on a slightly steeper grassy slope brings us to another crossing. Right leads secured climbing path on Granlspitz (2307 meters), and we continue left towards the notch Hochscharte.
The path here turns slightly to the left and from grassy slopes brings us on steeper rocky slopes, which we at first cross towards the north. After the crossing, the path turns to the right and it ascends towards the notch Hochscharte. On this part, the path is quite crumbly and we also get help from shorter ladder, but the path here isn't very demanding yet. On the notch, we continue left and after a short ascent, we are again at the crossing. A little easier path number 432 branches off to the right, which leads towards the notch Birgkarscharte and ahead on Hochkönig or Hoher Kopf. We continue left and the path quickly brings us to the entrance in secured climbing path Köngsjodler.
In front of the entry into a climbing part we equip ourselves with a helmet and self belaying, it is also recommended to use climbing gloves.
In the initial part, the path steeply ascends by the steel cable towards the ridge to tower named Flower Tower. Next follows path on a slightly exposed ridge on which we then also steeper ascend. The path then avoids the ridge on the left side and then follows crossing of steep walls towards narrow notch (difficulty C/D). Narrow notch with the help of steel cables we cross on the other side and then follows a steep ascent towards the tower Teufels turm (difficulty C). From the tower we then steeply descend (difficulty C/D) and on hanging bridge we cross notch below us. Bridge is made from three steel cables, on one we walk, other two we use for holding and self belaying. Next follows a short crossing of steep walls and steep descent where we also get help from few stemples (difficulty C).
After the descent, the path brings us on a little less exposed and unsecured part of the path. After a short ascent the path is again secured and then follows an ascent on still a little less sharp ridge upwards, which brings us on the next tower (difficulty B/C). Next follows a short descent and then with the help of only one steel cable (Flying Fox), which is attached on neighbouring tower we cross notch below us. In case if we don't have appropriate equipment for such crossing, it is possible to continue on the path which descends into a notch. For crossing the notch on the steel cable it is recommended to use double pulley with a rope. With some caution it is possible to cross also with additional short rope. On the other side of notch then follows again a little less steep ascent by the steel cable. The path soon again brings us on exposed ridge (Teufels Hörndl). After few shorter ascents and descents (difficulty C) follows a little steeper ascent to sharp very exposed ridge (difficulty C/D). At the ascent we also get help from few stemples. Further, we are short time ascending on a ridge and then follows a descent into a notch. A little less steep path then brings us to a crossing, where there is right downwards possible to leave the climbing route. The path on which it is possible to descend is otherwise technically less demanding, but because of crumbly gravel and rare fixed safety gear we need quite some caution.
At the crossing where we are approximately on the halfway of a secured climbing path we continue straight and we ascend on less steep unsecured slope, which brings us to one of harder parts of the path. Next follows quite long mostly vertical ascent (difficulty D) on next tower named Kummetstein. On this part of the path there is also a danger of falling stones. A little below the top of the tower by the path there is also an inscription box. Next follows again short descent on a ridge from which increasingly beautiful views opening up mainly towards the summit Hochkönig. The path brings us in next notch and avoids the ridge on the left side. Next follows one more very steep ascent (difficulty D) where we get some help from stemples. When we come again on a ridge path becomes for some time a little less demanding (difficulty A/B). Follows last steeper ascent (difficulty C/D), and then the path gradually becomes less demanding and it brings us to the top of Hoher Kopf where secured climbing path ends. On the summit a beautiful view opens up also on the northern side towards the glacier and on other mountains in Berchtesgaden Alps, which are situated on the German side of the border.
From the top, we continue right towards the summit Hochkönig, which we see in front of us. First, we descend a little to the notch Birgkarscharte where there is a crossing.
On the notch, we continue straight, and right downwards leads the path number 432 back towards the starting point. From the notch path at first slightly ascends and then again slightly descends. When we come below the slopes of the peak Hochkönig path starts ascending steeper and a view starts to open up on a larger part of a glacier, which is situated below the slopes of Hochkönig. The path which is marked with red-white poles on a little steeper slope brings us to a crossing on the north side of the peak. At the crossing, we continue right and follows only short undemanding ascent to the top.
The described path is extremely demanding and it is appropriate only for experienced mountaineers with mandatory self belaying and enough strength in arms. The path is very long, so we have to be also well physically prepared.
We can descend back towards the notch Birgkarscharte and then downwards on the path number 432. On the descent a great caution is needed because the path is very crumbly and quite poorly secured. Lower, we then slightly ascend towards the notch Hochscharte where there is the beginning of the climbing path Königsjodler. From there we then descend past the mountain hut Erichhütte back to the starting point.
The descent is possible also on easier, but also quite longer path past the mountain hut Arturhaus.

On the way: Erichhütte (1545m), Hochscharte (2283m), Teufelshörnln (2522m), Kematstein (2772m), Hoher Kopf (2875m), Birgkarscharte (2847m)