Via Alpina Purple A38

The Via Alpina Purple A38 is a 15 km point-to-point day stage of the international Via Alpina in Salzburg Province, Austria, descending from the Erichhütte mountain refuge at 1,575 m to the pilgrimage town of Maria Alm at 802 m, with 380 m of ascent and 1,150 m of descent over 5–6 hours. Rated moderate, it links three traditional alm pastures beneath the Hochkönig massif with sweeping panoramas of the Steinerne Meer limestone plateau.

About the Via Alpina Purple A38

Stage A38 of the Via Alpina is one of 66 stages that make up the Purple Trail — the backbone of the entire Via Alpina network. The full trail stretches more than 2,500 km from Trieste in Italy to Monaco, traversing eight Alpine countries, and is recognised by the International Walking Network (IWN) as one of the world's great long-distance hiking routes. Stage A38 sits in the Austrian heartland of the trail, in the federal state of Salzburg (Salzburger Land), and represents the transition from the dramatic Hochkönig massif to the quieter, flower-filled valleys of the Pinzgau.

The stage opens at the Erichhütte, a privately run mountain refuge perched at 1,575 m on the southern slopes of the Hochkönig, one of Austria's most photographed limestone peaks at 2,941 m. From here the route climbs briefly across open alm pasture before threading a long, satisfying descent through a landscape that shifts from high-alpine bleakness to lush valley farmland in the space of a half-day's walking. The finish is Maria Alm am Steinernen Meer — a classic Salzburg village with a graceful Gothic pilgrimage church whose 84 m spire forms a landmark visible from the highest sections of the trail, and views eastward to the Steinerne Meer (Sea of Rocks), the monolithic limestone plateau that will dominate the next stages of the Purple Trail.

The terrain on A38 is characteristic of the Salzburg Alps: well-waymarked paths across green alm pastures, shaded descents through spruce and larch forest, and occasional open ridgelines where the full scale of the surrounding massifs becomes visible. Trails are marked with the distinctive red-white-red Austrian alpine blazes and the purple Via Alpina diamond markers. The route is non-technical — no scrambling, fixed ropes or glacier travel — but the sustained descent of roughly 1,150 m demands confident knees and appropriate footwear.

For thru-hikers working the full Purple Trail, A38 is a rewarding consolidation day after the more demanding stages through the Hochkönig. For those exploring the Salzburg Alps in isolation, it makes an outstanding one-day outing linked with a bus back from Maria Alm. The nearest regional hub is Bischofshofen, 18 km to the west. For up-to-date transport and accommodation information across the province, the Salzburgerland Tourism website is the authoritative resource.

Route Overview & Stages

Stage A38 is a single day's walk broken naturally into five sections by the alm huts along the way. The table below summarises each section's distance, elevation change, and principal highlights.

Total: approximately 15.5 km, 380 m ascent, 1,150 m descent. Fit hikers complete the stage in 5 hours; a comfortable pace with photo stops and an alm lunch break takes 6–7 hours.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Erichhütte (1,575 m) — The stage's starting refuge occupies a wide shelf of alpine pasture on the southern Hochkönig. The hut serves hot meals from 07:30, making it an ideal departure point with a proper breakfast before the descent begins. Thru-hikers arriving from Stage A37 via Dienten will have spent the night here.
• Hochkönig Summit Views — From the opening plateau, the Hochkönig (2,941 m) — the highest peak of the Berchtesgaden Alps — dominates the skyline. Its flat limestone summit and the remnants of the Übergossene Alm glacier are visible to the north throughout the first 4.5 km of the stage.
• Mittereggalm Pasture — A working dairy alm where the route crosses wide flower meadows grazed by Pinzgauer cattle in summer. The tradition of transhumance — seasonal migration of livestock from valley farms to high pastures — has shaped this landscape for more than 800 years, producing the open, meadow-rich terrain that defines the Hochkönig region.
• Pichlalm (approx. 1,350 m) — A photogenic cluster of wooden huts marking the high point before the main descent. The alm operates a simple refreshment stand in July and August. From here the Steinerne Meer limestone plateau — the setting for the next several Via Alpina stages — dominates the eastern horizon as a dramatic grey wall of rock.
• Hinterthal Hamlet — A quiet farming settlement in the upper Urslautal valley, offering the first tarmac road contact since leaving the Erichhütte. A small Kapelle (wayside chapel) marks the village centre. Emergency bus connections run from Hinterthal to Maria Alm for anyone who needs to cut the stage short.
• Jufenalm — Perhaps the most photographed spot on the entire stage: a broad alm meadow perfectly framing the white Gothic spire of Maria Alm's pilgrimage church on the valley floor below, with the Steinerne Meer as a dramatic backdrop. This is the classic postcard image of the Salzburg Alps, and it earns every ounce of its reputation.
• Maria Alm Pilgrimage Church — The Gothic Pfarrkirche Mariä Himmelfahrt (parish church of the Assumption), with its 84 m spire — the tallest church tower in the state of Salzburg — has drawn pilgrims along this route since the 15th century. The interior holds notable baroque altarpieces and a venerated statue of the Virgin Mary.
• Purple Trail Context — Stage A38 connects to Stage A37 arriving from Dienten am Hochkönig and Stage A39 departing toward Saalfelden and the Steinernes Meer. Completing A38 places thru-hikers at roughly the midpoint of the Austrian section of the 2,500 km Purple Trail — with five or six further Austrian stages before crossing into Germany near Berchtesgaden.

Best Time to Hike the Via Alpina Purple A38

The stage is accessible from late June to mid-October, when snow has cleared from the alm terrain above 1,400 m and mountain huts are staffed. As of 2026, the Salzburg Alps are experiencing longer snow-free windows due to shifting seasons, but late-season snow events above 1,500 m can still occur in September and October — always check the Austrian Alpine Club's (ÖAV) forecast before departure.

July and August are the most popular months. Alm huts are fully operational, wildflower meadows are at peak colour, and daylight is generous (sunrise before 05:30, sunset after 20:30 in July). The trade-off is afternoon thunderstorm risk: in the Salzburg Alps, convective storms typically build between 13:00 and 16:00. Starting by 07:30 puts you below the Pichlalm well before midday and clear of the exposed sections before any storm window opens.

The single best month is September. Crowds thin dramatically after Austrian school holidays end in mid-August. Temperatures are comfortable (15–22°C on the alms), thunderstorm frequency drops significantly, and the larch forests begin turning gold by the third week. Morning frost is possible above 1,400 m from mid-September, so carry an extra insulation layer regardless of the forecast.

June can be spectacular if the season is early, with snow lingering above the Pichlalm into the first two weeks. Check current conditions with local hut operators before committing. October brings reliable settled spells and outstanding autumn colour but huts close from mid-month, so accommodation must be booked and confirmed weeks in advance.

Practical Information

Accommodation

The Erichhütte (start) offers dormitory beds (Lager) for approximately €22–26 per person including breakfast at 2026 tariffs, and half-board (dinner plus breakfast) for around €45–52. Booking 2–4 weeks ahead is advisable in July–August; the hut sleeps around 60 guests and fills quickly during the Via Alpina thru-hiking season. Private rooms (Zimmer) are occasionally available for €35–45 per person.

Along the route, the Mittereggalm and Pichlalm are day-operation alms only — refreshments and shelter but no overnight stays. The first accommodation below the alm belt is in Hinterthal, where a small Gasthof (guesthouse) offers B&B from €55–70 per person. Maria Alm at the trail end has a wide range of options: Gasthöfe (€60–90/night), holiday apartments, and a well-equipped campsite, the Camping Maria Alm, with pitches from €14 per person plus a €8 site fee in summer.

Getting There & Back

The trailhead at Erichhütte is most easily reached via Dienten am Hochkönig, served by regional bus from Bischofshofen (ÖBB rail connection from Salzburg Hauptbahnhof in 35 minutes). From Bischofshofen, bus line 540 runs to Dienten in approximately 30 minutes (€3.40 single). From Dienten, the Erichhütte is reached on foot in approximately 2 hours via Stage A37, or by taxi arranged through local guesthouses.

Maria Alm (trail end) is connected by regional bus to Zell am See (approximately 35 minutes) and Saalfelden (approximately 20 minutes), both of which have ÖBB rail stations offering direct services to Salzburg Hauptbahnhof (1 hour). The nearest international airport is Salzburg Airport W. A. Mozart, 65 km by rail and bus from Maria Alm — allow 90 minutes door-to-door.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to hike Stage A38. Austria has a strong public right of access to alpine terrain, and the Via Alpina blazes follow existing public paths throughout. There are no trail fees or entry charges. Costs on the day are limited to hut accommodation and refreshments at the alms. Cash remains preferred at most alm huts, though an increasing number accept card payment.

Membership of the Austrian Alpine Club (Österreichischer Alpenverein, ÖAV) or the German Alpine Club (DAV) entitles holders to a 30–50% discount on hut dormitory fees, reducing the Erichhütte Lager rate to approximately €12–15 per night. Adult ÖAV membership costs €57 per year — it pays for itself in three hut nights and also includes rescue insurance across the Alps.

Gear & Packing List

Stage A38's 1,150 m sustained descent is the defining physical demand, making sole grip and knee support the two non-negotiables. Beyond footwear, keep the pack light — a heavy load amplifies impact forces on the long forest descent and dramatically increases fatigue in the lower limbs. Aim to keep your base pack weight under 9 kg for a multi-day section of the Purple Trail.

For a single-day outing, the Salomon ADV Skin 20 handles the day's needs comfortably at just 270 g. For thru-hikers carrying overnight kit through the Austrian stages, the Osprey Aether 65 is a reliable workhorse with a load-transfer hipbelt well-suited to the daily 15–20 km Via Alpina stages. Ultralight hikers completing a multi-week section of the Purple Trail often choose the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L, which delivers 60 litres of capacity at under 700 g — a significant advantage over six or more weeks on the trail. For a broader comparison across seven tested packs, our guide to the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 covers options for exactly this kind of alpine long-distance terrain.

Essential gear for Stage A38:

• Hiking boots with ankle support and a Vibram or equivalent lugged sole
• Trekking poles (strongly recommended for the 1,150 m descent — knees will thank you)
• Rain shell (200–350 g) — afternoon thunderstorms are a regular occurrence July–August
• Insulation layer (200-weight fleece or a 40 g down jacket) for alm-level cold at dawn
• 2-litre water capacity minimum; refill at Mittereggalm or Pichlalm refreshment stands
• Sun protection: UV index above 1,500 m in July reaches 7–9 on clear days
• 1:25,000 paper map (Alpenverein map sheet 10/1, Hochkönig–Steinernes Meer) or offline GPS track
• Cash (€30–50) for alm refreshments and hut fees along the way

Calorie planning matters on a full day of alpine hiking with significant elevation change. Our article on how many calories you need hiking a full day gives specific guidance for hilly terrain and helps you pack the right amount of food without carrying unnecessary weight.

Similar Trails You Might Like

The Austrian Alps offer some of Europe's finest high-route walking, and Stage A38 sits within a dense concentration of quality long-distance routes. If you're drawn to Salzburg alpine terrain but want a different challenge — more elevation, more days, or a circuit rather than point-to-point — the options below all share the same high-quality waymarking and hut infrastructure that makes Austrian alpine hiking so accessible. For a contrast in landscape and budget, the Theth to Valbona hike in Albania offers a comparable mountain descent with dramatic scenery at a fraction of the cost.

• Stubaier Höhenweg (Austria) — A classic Tyrolean high-level circuit covering 120 km over 8–10 days with 11,000 m of cumulative ascent; glacier views throughout and a hut culture to rival any Alpine region.
• Berliner Höhenweg Zustieg Ahornbahn (Austria) — The access route to the iconic Berliner Höhenweg high circuit in the Zillertal Alps, combining dramatic granite peaks with reliable hut infrastructure.
• Adlerweg (Austria) — The "Eagle Walk" crosses Tyrol from St. Johann to St. Anton in 24 stages (313 km total), rivalling the Via Alpina for variety and waymarking quality and passing through some of Tyrol's finest valley villages.
• JK01 (Austria, 720 km) — A major long-distance route combining cultural and natural highlights across Austria for hikers who want breadth as well as altitude.
• JK02 (Austria, 720 km) — The companion long-distance route covering different terrain and valley systems across the Austrian Alpine arc, ideal for those who want to return a second year and cover fresh ground.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike Via Alpina Purple A38?
September is the single best month. Crowds are low after Austrian school holidays end, temperatures are comfortable at 15–22°C on the alms, and afternoon thunderstorm risk is lower than in July–August. The larch forests start turning gold in the third week of September, adding exceptional colour. The trail is snow-free above 1,500 m from late June through October in most years, and huts remain open through mid-October.

How difficult is the Via Alpina Purple A38?
The stage is rated moderate. There is no technical climbing, scrambling, or glacier travel. The primary challenge is the sustained descent of approximately 1,150 m from the Pichlalm to Maria Alm, which runs steep and root-covered through spruce forest for several kilometres. Solid ankle-supporting boots and trekking poles are strongly recommended. Hikers with alpine experience find it comfortable; those new to mountain terrain should take their time and pace the descent carefully.

How far do you walk per day on Stage A38?
Stage A38 covers approximately 15.5 km as a single designated day stage. Most hikers complete it in 5–7 hours depending on pace and stops at the alm huts. The Via Alpina Purple Trail overall averages 18–22 km per day across the full 2,500 km route, but A38 is shorter due to the significant elevation loss, which demands a slower, careful descent pace compared to flatter stages.

What accommodation is available on Stage A38?
The Erichhütte at the start offers dormitory beds at approximately €22–26 per night (2026 tariffs), with half-board available at €45–52. The intermediate alms (Mittereggalm, Pichlalm) provide daytime refreshments only — no overnight stays. In Maria Alm at the trail end, options include guesthouses from €60 per night, holiday apartments, and a campsite from €14 per person. Book the Erichhütte 2–4 weeks ahead in peak season.

Do you need a permit to hike Via Alpina Purple A38?
No permit is required. The route follows designated public footpaths throughout and crosses private alm land via established rights of way under Austrian alpine access law. There are no trail fees. Costs on the day are limited to hut accommodation (€22–52 depending on board level) and optional alm refreshments. Austrian Alpine Club (ÖAV) membership reduces hut dormitory fees by 30–50% and includes Alpine rescue insurance — well worth considering for a multi-stage trip.