Via Alpina Purple A37

The Via Alpina Purple A37 is an approximately 19-km point-to-point stage of the Via Alpina Purple Trail in Austria, running from Arthurhaus (1,502 m) to Erichhütte (1,576 m) through the Hochkönig massif in the Salzburg Alps, gaining roughly 700 m of elevation. Rated moderate, it is a panoramic traverse below the dramatic Mandlwände limestone walls with sweeping views of the 2,941-m Hochkönig summit.

About the Via Alpina Purple A37

Stage A37 of the Via Alpina Purple Trail threads through one of the most photogenic highland corridors in the Salzburg Alps, connecting the historic Arthurhaus mountain inn to the ÖAV-operated Erichhütte. The International Walking Network (IWN) designation — awarded by the European Ramblers' Association — marks the Via Alpina as one of the world's premier long-distance routes, and A37 delivers some of that network's most accessible alpine scenery.

The stage follows the Hochkönig Panorama Trail (signposted as Wanderweg 401A/436), a historic waymarked path that rolls through a succession of working alpine farms — the Windraucheggalm, Riedingalm, Mitterbergalm, and Widdersbergalm — beneath the towering Mandlwände cliff faces. Unlike many Via Alpina stages that demand steep cols and glaciated passes, A37 is characteristically gentle: the trail undulates rather than climbs relentlessly, making it an ideal day for acclimatisation, families with older children, or hikers who want to linger in the meadows.

The Hochkönig massif — highest point 2,941 m — looms to the south throughout the walk. The Mandlwände ("men's walls"), a series of eroded limestone pinnacles resembling human figures, create a theatrical backdrop for the entire middle section of the stage. The Riedingtal valley cuts east from the main trail, and a one-hour detour to the Riedingtal waterfalls rewards those with time to spare. The final kilometres cross the rocky karst foothills of the Birgkar before arriving at the Erichhütte.

As part of the full Purple Trail — a 1,045-km route from Trieste, Italy to Oberstdorf, Germany crossing six alpine countries — A37 sits within the Austrian arc where trail marking is at its most reliable. The route is signed with the distinctive purple Via Alpina diamond blazes and local Austrian red-white-red waymarkers, so navigation is straightforward on a clear day.

Route Overview & Stages

The table below divides A37 into four logical segments based on major alpine farms and valley junctions. Carry the 1:25,000 BEV map sheet for the Hochkönig area for precision navigation in poor visibility.

Total: approximately 19 km · ~700 m ascent · ~630 m descent · 5.5–7 hours moving time (excluding the waterfall detour).

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Arthurhaus (1,502 m): The starting mountain inn, a Salzburg institution with origins in the 1870s, perched on a ridge above Mühlbach am Hochkönig. It provides the first unobstructed sightline across the Hochkönig massif and is an ideal spot for an early coffee before departure.
• Mandlwände cliffs: The defining visual feature of A37. These eroded limestone pillars rise vertically to around 2,200 m and run nearly 3 km along the trail's southern flank. Long shadows at dawn and dusk make the pinnacles appear almost human-shaped — hence the name "men's walls."
• Hochkönig summit (2,941 m): The highest point in the Berchtesgadener Alps dominates the skyline throughout the stage. The summit sits above the trail on a permanent ice plateau; the full north face and ice cap are visible from nearly every open section of the panorama path.
• Riedingtal valley and waterfalls: A glacially carved side valley branching east from the main trail. The Riedingtal waterfalls cascade over polished limestone in a combined drop of around 60 m. The detour adds one hour but is consistently rated among the best side trips on any Austrian Via Alpina stage.
• Mitterbergalm and Riedingalm: Traditional Salzburg alpine dairy farms where cattle graze through the summer season. Both serve a classic Jause — Käsespätzle, radishes, dark rye bread — providing ideal refuelling at the stage midpoint, roughly 8–9 km from Arthurhaus.
• Widdersbergalm (~1,650 m): The highest working alm on this section, named after the rams (Widder) that graze its slopes. Wide-angle views from here extend east to the Dachstein massif and the Tennengebirge range, two of the most striking peaks in the Salzburg Alps.
• Birgkar: The rocky karst foothills that guard the final approach to Erichhütte. The path threads between weathered limestone outcrops and patches of alpine rose. This is the most dramatic landscape section of A37 and the one most dependent on dry conditions underfoot.
• Erichhütte (1,576 m): The stage endpoint, operated by the Austrian Alpine Club (ÖAV). The hut offers dormitory and private rooms, warm meals, and a sun terrace with views back across the day's route. It serves as a natural gathering point for Via Alpina hikers heading north toward the German border.

Best Time to Hike the Via Alpina Purple A37

The trail is accessible from late June through early October. Snow lingers on meadows above 1,600 m until mid-June, and the Birgkar section becomes icy after the first autumn snowfall — typically in October at this elevation.

July is the single best month for A37. As of 2026, the Salzburg Alps summer season opens reliably in early July, with all three intermediate alms fully staffed and serving hot food. Wildflowers peak in mid-July: the contrast between green turf, white Mandlwände cliffs, and purple gentians is exceptional. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August; an early start before 07:00 at Arthurhaus allows arrival at Erichhütte by early afternoon, well ahead of typical storm windows.

August brings peak-season demand at huts — reserve at least two weeks ahead. September offers a quieter alternative: stable high-pressure systems are common, days are clear and cool, and the Almabtrieb cattle drives add cultural colour as farmers bring herds down from the high meadows. Late June suits experienced hikers comfortable with occasional snow patches; the Riedingtal waterfalls run at full power during snowmelt and are particularly impressive at that time.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Both trail endpoints are ÖAV mountain huts with full overnight facilities. The Arthurhaus (1,502 m) charges approximately EUR 25–35 per person for dormitory beds (Matratzenlager) and EUR 45–65 for twin private rooms; half-board is available for around EUR 60–80. The Erichhütte (1,576 m) is similarly priced at EUR 22–32 for dormitory and EUR 40–60 for private rooms. ÖAV or DAV membership reduces these rates by roughly EUR 8–12 per night — worthwhile for any multi-stage Austrian tour.

The Mitterbergalm and Riedingalm provide midday Jause service but no overnight accommodation. The nearest valley village is Mühlbach am Hochkönig, 5 km downhill from Arthurhaus, with guesthouses available from approximately EUR 60–90 per double room per night.

Getting There & Back

The nearest train station is Bischofshofen on the Tauernbahn (Vienna–Innsbruck main line), approximately 12 km from Arthurhaus. From Bischofshofen, bus route 540 runs to Mühlbach am Hochkönig (approximately 25 minutes), from where a taxi or the seasonal Hochkönig shuttle covers the final 5 km to Arthurhaus. Check current timetables with Salzburg Verkehr (SVG) before your trip.

The nearest major airport is Salzburg Airport (SZG), approximately 70 km by road. Direct bus and rail combinations take 1.5–2 hours. Munich Airport (MUC), around 160 km away, is served by hourly trains to Salzburg Hauptbahnhof and is a practical alternative for international arrivals.

From the Erichhütte, hikers continuing the Purple Trail head to the next stage or descend to Dienten am Hochkönig (approximately 6 km, 2 hours) for bus connections back to Bischofshofen.

Permits & Fees

No hiking permits are required for Via Alpina A37 in Austria. Trail access across all meadows and farmland is free and unrestricted. There are no national park entry fees on this stage. Follow the marked path across private land and close any gates you pass through. ÖAV membership (approximately EUR 65/year for adults) is not required but reduces hut accommodation costs noticeably and includes mountain rescue insurance — a sound investment for any multi-day Alpine hut tour.

Gear & Packing List

A37's moderate terrain requires no technical equipment, but alpine weather changes fast above 1,500 m. Pack for a full mountain day with layers for sun and potential afternoon thunderstorms. A 35–50-litre pack covers a single-stage day hike with overnight gear comfortably. These options from our gear database suit the Hochkönig terrain well:

• Deuter Aircontact Lite 45+10 — an Austrian-brand stalwart with excellent back ventilation ideal for hut-to-hut touring; the extendable 10-litre lid handles extra wet-weather layers on the Panorama Trail.
• Osprey Aether 65 — the right choice for hiking multiple consecutive Via Alpina stages; distributes heavy overnight loads well on the Birgkar rocky descent into Erichhütte.
• Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Windrider — for ultralight hikers wanting to prioritise weight savings; at under 600 g it keeps your carry lean on gentler stages like A37 where trail conditions are reliable.

Additional essentials: waterproof jacket and trousers (afternoon storms are common July–August), trekking poles (recommended for the Birgkar rocky descent), sun protection SPF 30+ (limestone reflects UV strongly), and 2-litre water capacity — reliable stream sources exist at Riedingtal, but treat water collected above the alms. For calorie planning on a 5–7-hour moving day, see how many calories you need hiking a full day. If you are still choosing a pack, the 2026 ultralight backpack guide ranks seven options tested on Alpine terrain.

Similar Trails You Might Like

Via Alpina A37 sits within a rich network of Austrian and Alpine long-distance routes. If the Hochkönig panorama has sparked further ambitions in the Salzburg Alps and beyond, these routes are worth planning next:

• Adlerweg — Austria's signature 413-km long-distance route traversing the Northern Limestone Alps from St. Johann in Tirol to St. Christoph am Arlberg over 33 stages; shares a similar hut-to-hut rhythm with the Via Alpina Austrian arc.
• Stubaier Höhenweg — a classic six-stage circular high-altitude route in the Stubai Alps of Tirol, more technically demanding than A37 but equally spectacular on clear summer days.
• Berliner Höhenweg Zustieg Ahornbahn — the approach stage to the Berliner Höhenweg circuit in the Zillertal Alps, an excellent warm-up day for experienced alpine hikers heading into more demanding terrain.
• JK01 and JK02 — two 720-km routes exploring Austria's southern and eastern ranges at a more exploratory pace, suited to hikers who have completed several Via Alpina stages and want an extended Austrian adventure.

For a contrasting alpine experience in a wilder, less-marked environment, the Theth to Valbona hike in Albania offers dramatic mountain scenery at a fraction of the foot traffic found in the Salzburg Alps.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to hike Via Alpina Purple A37?

July is the best single month. The trail opens fully by late June once snow clears from meadows above 1,600 m, but July combines reliable weather, fully staffed alms serving hot food, and peak wildflower colour on the Hochkönig panorama path. September is an excellent quieter alternative with stable high-pressure systems, cooler temperatures, and less competition for hut beds throughout the Salzburg Alps.

How difficult is the Via Alpina A37 stage?

A37 is rated moderate — suitable for hikers with reasonable fitness and basic mountain experience. The stage gains approximately 700 m of elevation over roughly 19 km, mostly through gentle undulating terrain rather than sustained steep climbs. The most demanding section is the rocky Birgkar foothills approaching Erichhütte. No scrambling or exposed ridge walking is involved; sturdy hiking boots with ankle support are recommended.

How many kilometres per day should I plan for this stage?

Stage A37 covers approximately 19 km in a single day — average for Austrian Via Alpina stages. Most fit hikers complete it in 5.5–7 hours of moving time. Budget an extra 30–45 minutes for a midday Jause stop at the Mitterbergalm or Riedingalm. Starting by 07:00 from Arthurhaus puts you at Erichhütte by early afternoon, well ahead of typical summer thunderstorm windows above 1,500 m.

What accommodation is available on the A37 stage?

Both the Arthurhaus (stage start, 1,502 m) and the Erichhütte (stage end, 1,576 m) are fully staffed ÖAV mountain huts with dormitory beds from EUR 22–35 and private rooms from EUR 40–65 per person per night. Half-board is available at both huts. The intermediate alms provide daytime food only. Advance reservation is essential in July and strongly recommended throughout August.

Are any permits or fees required for Via Alpina Purple A37?

No permits are required. Trail access across Austria is free and unrestricted — no national park entry fees, no trail registration, and no booking system for the route itself. Hut accommodation is paid directly to each hut on arrival or via advance reservation. ÖAV or DAV club membership (approximately EUR 65/year for adults) reduces hut rates by EUR 8–12 per night and includes mountain rescue insurance — a practical investment for any multi-day Austrian Alpine itinerary.