Hohes Brett Loop from Hinterbrand

Hohes Brett Loop from Hinterbrand is a hard, high-mountain circuit to the 2,340 m summit, returning by the Schneibsteinhaus and Königsbachalm side. The complete route is 15.3 km (9.5 miles) with 1,283 m of climbing; allow about eight hours. It is a proper alpine day, not a stroll from the Jenner lift: the summit approach has steep rocky ground and steel-cable sections. Go only if you are comfortable on demanding mountain paths and can give the outing a full day.

The mapped loop climbs via Krautkaseralm and Mitterkaseralm, crosses the Jennersattel to Carl-von-Stahl-Haus, then continues to Hohes Brett. The return follows a different descent. The route directions also allow retracing the climb, but that makes a different out-and-back and has no separately stated distance.

From Wanderparkplatz Hinterbrand, follow the way toward the Jennerbahn middle station. At the start of Krautkaserfeld, turn left onto a steep, winding path. It passes Krautkaseralm, then a hollow way leads to Klaus Maxei at Mitterkaseralm. Cross the Mitterkessel and climb over Jennersattel toward Carl-von-Stahl-Haus on Torrener Joch. The approach to Jenner is described as a relatively easy alpine walk; the full tour gets much harder after the hut.

Krautkaseralm, Mitterkaseralm and Carl-von-Stahl-Haus are natural pause points on this long climb. Several inns and huts are along the route, but their services are not dependable enough to plan around without checking before you set out.

Beyond Carl-von-Stahl-Haus the route turns more alpine, climbing steeply over broken rock. The trickier steps have fixed steel cables. A short side trip to the 1,837 m Pfaffenkegel is called out as a highlight; it is optional, so leave it out if the day is already taking longer than planned. Near Jägerkreuz, at about 2,200 m, the slope eases. From there a gentler flank leads to the summit.

The upper terrain is pale Dachstein limestone. These rocks began as marine deposits around 200 million years ago, then were folded and lifted as the African plate moved north toward Europe. That old seabed is the reason the route finishes among broken limestone rather than a forested peak.

Hohes Brett's broad, open top is the payoff for the long climb, with wide views across the surrounding mountain groups. The summit cross makes a strong foreground against the pale ridge; step back enough to keep both the cross and the open skyline in the frame. For the mapped loop, descend on the Schneibsteinhaus and Königsbachalm side before returning to Hinterbrand. The final miles still count after the summit, so leave enough time and energy for the whole circuit.

Use Wanderparkplatz Hinterbrand as both the start and finish. Its parking capacity and fee were not verified. Dogs are allowed on marked paths but must be kept on a lead in the national-park section. This is a long, steep route with cable-assisted rock, so consider whether your dog is comfortable on that kind of terrain.