Via Alpina Purple A22

The Via Alpina Purple A22 is a single-day alpine stage of approximately 20 km in the Lavanttaler Alpen of Carinthia, Austria, gaining around 1,050 m of elevation. Rated demanding (★★★★☆), this section of the International Walking Network traverses high ridgelines above the Lavant Valley, passing through the village of Hall and rewarding hikers with sweeping views across the eastern Austrian Alps.

About the Via Alpina Purple A22

The Via Alpina Purple Trail is one of the five great TransAlp routes of the Via Alpina International Walking Network (IWN), stretching 1,045 km from Slovenia to Oberstdorf in Germany across six alpine nations. Stage A22 — the “A” prefix indicating an Austrian stage — cuts through the Lavanttaler Alpen (Lavanttal Alps), a compact but rugged sub-range straddling the border of Carinthia and Styria.

This stage is centred on the area around Hall, a small mountain village in the Wolfsberg district of Carinthia, set at around 710 m above sea level. From here the route climbs steadily into terrain shaped by glacial erosion: broad alpine meadows (Almen) still grazed by cattle in summer, steep forested flanks, and exposed ridgelines that open to panoramic views in all directions. On a clear day, walkers can pick out the Koralpe range to the west, the Seetaler Alpen to the north, and the lowlands of the Lavant Valley — one of Carinthia’s most fertile agricultural corridors — far below.

The Purple Trail through Austria spans roughly 30 stages and is considered among the most physically demanding sections of the entire Via Alpina network. Unlike the Swiss or Liechtenstein stages that benefit from dense hut infrastructure, the Austrian stages demand greater self-reliance: trail markings are rated excellent by the Via Alpina foundation, but accommodation must be reserved in advance and resupply windows can be 2–3 days apart. For hikers planning multi-day sections, our guide to the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 covers seven packs best suited to sustained alpine terrain.

Stage A22 sits within a spectacular sequence of alpine stages and rewards those who tackle it as part of a 4–7 day traverse of the Lavanttaler and adjacent ranges. The terrain is genuinely demanding: the cumulative elevation gain for the full Purple Trail exceeds 50,000 m, and A22’s approximately 1,050 m of daily ascent is characteristic of the network’s uncompromising character.

Route Overview & Stages

The table below shows Stage A22 in context alongside its immediate neighbours on the Purple Trail. Distance and elevation figures are based on the overall trail profile and regional topography of the Lavanttaler Alpen.

The stage departs Hall on a woodland track that gains altitude quickly through mixed spruce and beech forest. After roughly 5 km, the tree line breaks and the route emerges onto open Almen, passing summer-grazed pastures where purple Via Alpina waymarks appear on wooden trail posts every 200–500 m. The upper ridge section, at approximately 1,800–2,000 m, is the exposed crux of the stage: footing demands care on wet days and navigation relies on the purple blazes alongside standard Austrian alpine markers (red-white-red stripes). The descent to the overnight stop follows a farm track that eases progressively into gentler terrain.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Hall village (710 m) — A compact Carinthian mountain village and the start of Stage A22, with a traditional parish church and a Gasthof offering local accommodation. The village sits at the confluence of two small Alpine streams feeding the Lavant river system.
• Lavanttaler Alpen ridge (1,800–2,000 m) — The defining feature of A22: a sustained ridgeline walk with 360° views across four Austrian provinces on clear days. The ridge marks the historical boundary between Carinthia and Styria.
• Ameringkogel (2,185 m) — The highest summit in the Lavanttaler Alps, visible throughout the ridge section and reachable as a 45-minute return detour from the main trail. The summit cairn dates to the early 20th century.
• Handalpe (2,115 m) — A broad sub-summit plateau crossed during the upper ridge section. In July, the slopes carry a dense cover of alpine wildflowers including Arnica montana and Gentiana clusii.
• Working Almen pastures — The mid-elevation zone of A22 traverses summer farms still operated by Carinthian farming families. Cheese and fresh buttermilk are occasionally available directly at farmstead huts, adding a distinctly local flavour to the day.
• Koralpe panorama — To the west, the wind-farm ridge of the Koralpe (1,800–2,000 m) is clearly visible, providing orientation across the full width of Carinthia and a dramatic contrast of wild and industrial Alpine landscapes.
• Forested descent section — The lower half of the stage winds through centuries-old managed forest. Wildlife sightings of red deer (Cervus elaphus) and chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) are common in the early morning hours.
• Purple waymark network — The purple Via Alpina blazes through this section are maintained by the regional Österreichischer Alpenverein (ÖAV) clubs and rated as excellent, with markers typically spaced 200–500 m apart on open terrain and more frequently on complex junctions.

Best Time to Hike the Via Alpina Purple A22

The Lavanttaler Alpen are accessible for hiking from mid-June through late September. As of 2026, snowfields can linger on north-facing flanks of the Ameringkogel into early July in heavy-snow winters, so check conditions before departing if planning a June trip.

• Mid-June: Wildflower display peaks on the lower Almen; residual snow possible above 1,800 m. Huts begin opening but some operate reduced hours. Daylight extends to 17+ hours.
• July: Optimal for wildflowers and guaranteed open huts. Temperatures at ridge level average 12–16 °C. Afternoon thunderstorms are statistically frequent — plan ridge crossings before 13:00 to avoid lightning exposure.
• August: Excellent weather stability, warm overnights in huts, peak trail traffic. Book accommodation 2–3 weeks in advance. Still quiet compared to the Dolomites or Swiss Alps.
• September: Crowds thin markedly, autumn colour arrives on the forest descent sections, and temperatures remain pleasant at 8–14 °C on the ridge. Smaller farmstead huts close after the 20th; Alpenverein huts typically remain open to the first week of October.

The single best month to hike A22 is September: stable weather, low hut occupancy, golden light across the Almen, and the seasonal cattle drives back to the valley give the trail an atmospheric quality that July and August simply cannot match.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Overnight options on and near Stage A22 are modest but reliable. The Gasthof in Hall at the stage start offers simple en-suite rooms from approximately €45–65 per person including breakfast. On the ridge, Alpenverein-affiliated mountain huts (Schutzhütten) provide dormitory sleeping (Matratzenlager) from €20–28 per person, with half-board adding around €18–22. Camping is permitted on public alpine land in Austria but open fires are prohibited above the tree line. The Österreichischer Alpenverein (ÖAV) membership costs €64 per year (2026 rate) and provides a 50% discount at all affiliated huts — it pays for itself within 3–4 overnight stays on a multi-stage traverse.

Getting There & Back

The nearest town with rail connections is Wolfsberg, approximately 10 km from Hall and served by ÖBB regional trains from Graz Hauptbahnhof in around 1 hour 20 minutes (single fare roughly €15). A local summer bus (line 5402) runs from Wolfsberg to Hall several times daily. The nearest international airports are Graz Airport (GRZ), around 80 km and 1 hour 15 minutes by car, and Klagenfurt Airport (KLU), around 60 km and 50 minutes by car. No private vehicle is needed: the rail-plus-bus combination is the recommended approach for through-hikers completing the Purple Trail in sections. Check ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) for live timetables and Sparschiene discount fares, which can reduce the Graz–Wolfsberg ticket to under €9 when booked in advance.

Permits & Fees

No hiking permits are required on the Via Alpina Purple A22 in Austria. The trail crosses public alpine land and private Almen where right-of-way is established under Austrian alpine access law (Bundesforstgesetz). The only costs are accommodation and food. For travel on connecting stages crossing into Slovenia or Germany, carry a valid EU identity document or passport. There are no national park entry fees in this section of the Lavanttaler Alpen.

Gear & Packing List

Stage A22 is a full alpine day with sustained ridge exposure. Pack for rapidly changing weather regardless of the forecast.

• Backpack (35–65L): For a multi-day Purple Trail traverse, a mid-volume pack with reliable suspension handles the daily load of hut gear, emergency layers, and water. The Osprey Aether 65 manages heavy loads with excellent back-panel ventilation over sustained climbs. The Deuter Aircontact Lite 45+10 offers a lighter alternative with a women’s-specific fit option. Ultralight hikers aiming for fast-and-light sections may favour the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L, which weighs under 700 g and carries comfortably over the Purple Trail’s daily distances.
• Footwear: Waterproof mid-cut or high-cut leather or GORE-TEX boots. The ridge section includes exposed rock slabs that become slick within minutes of rain — trail runners are insufficient for this terrain.
• Insulation: Even in July, temperatures on the Lavanttaler ridge can drop to 5–8 °C with wind chill. A packable down jacket in the 200–300 g range is non-negotiable.
• Rain shell: Afternoon thunderstorms are a near-certainty in July and August. A three-layer waterproof shell rated at minimum 20,000 mm hydrostatic head is the standard for ridge exposure in the Austrian Alps.
• Navigation: The ÖAV 1:25,000 map sheets for the Lavanttaler Alpen, plus a backup offline GPS app such as Outdooractive or OsmAnd. Purple Via Alpina blazes are reliable but can be obscured by early-season snowmelt.
• Water: Springs are frequent below 1,600 m; above that, use hut tap water or treat water from snowmelt streams. Carry at least 1.5 litres for the exposed ridge section. A full alpine day at this elevation burns 3,000–4,500 kcal depending on body weight — see our guide to calorie needs on a full hiking day to plan your food carry accurately.
• First aid & emergency: Blister kit, sports tape, emergency bivouac sack, whistle, and a fully charged mobile phone. Austrian mountain rescue (Bergrettung) is reachable via the European emergency number 112.

Similar Trails You Might Like

Hikers drawn to the high-ridge character and hut-to-hut format of Via Alpina A22 will find rich alternatives across Austria. The Stubaier Höhenweg is a classic 7-day circular route in Tirol with comparable ridge exposure and exceptional hut infrastructure. The Adlerweg spans 24 stages from St. Johann in Tirol to St. Gerold and is arguably Austria’s most celebrated long-distance trail. For a major commitment, the JK01 and JK02 routes each cover 720 km and deliver a deep immersion in Austrian alpine landscape. The Berliner Höhenweg Zustieg Ahornbahn in the Zillertal provides a technically engaging approach to one of Austria’s best-known high routes. Further afield but sharing the dramatic point-to-point character of the Purple Trail, the Theth to Valbona hike in Albania is a rising favourite among European long-distance walkers seeking raw mountain scenery without crowds.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike Via Alpina Purple A22?
September offers the best balance of weather stability, trail solitude, and visual drama. Temperatures on the Lavanttaler ridge stay between 8–14 °C, autumn colours arrive on the forest sections, and huts remain open through mid to late September. July is the runner-up for those who prefer peak wildflower display and guaranteed open farmstead huts, though afternoon thunderstorms require early starts to complete the ridge crossing safely.

How difficult is Stage A22?
A22 is rated demanding (★★★★☆). The stage involves approximately 1,050 m of ascent concentrated in the first half, with a sustained ridge section at 1,800–2,000 m that is exposed to rapidly changing weather. Hikers should be comfortable with 6–9 hour mountain days, waterproof footwear with good ankle support, and basic map-reading skills. No technical climbing or crampons are required in normal summer conditions from late June onward.

How many kilometres per day is realistic on the Purple Trail in this region?
Most hikers cover 18–24 km per day on the Austrian stages, taking 6–9 hours of walking time. Stage A22 at approximately 20 km sits squarely in that range. Elevation gain matters more than distance on the Via Alpina: every 1,000 m of ascent adds roughly 1.5–2 hours to any flat-time estimate, so plan the day around completing the ridge crossing before early afternoon thunderstorm risk increases.

What accommodation is available on or near A22?
The Gasthof in Hall at the stage start offers en-suite rooms from approximately €45–65 per person including breakfast. On the ridge, Alpenverein-affiliated Schutzhütten provide dormitory beds from €20–28 per person, with ÖAV membership reducing this by 50%. Camping on public alpine land is permitted but wild fires are forbidden above the tree line. Book ridge huts at least 2–3 weeks ahead in July and August; September bookings are usually available with 1–2 weeks notice.

Are there any permits or fees required to hike Via Alpina A22 in Austria?
No permits are required. The Via Alpina Purple Trail in Austria crosses public alpine land and private Almen under established right-of-way governed by Austrian federal law. The only costs are accommodation and food. An ÖAV membership at €64 per year (2026 rate) provides a 50% discount at all affiliated mountain huts, making it cost-effective for anyone completing more than three or four stages. There are no national park entry fees or trail access charges on Stage A22.