- Wildgerlosspitze (3.289 m)
- Reichenspitze (3.303 m)
- Rosskopf (2.845 m)
- Gabler (3.263 m)
- Wildkarspitze (3.073 m)
Wildgerlostal
Krimml, Wald im Pinzgau
Summits and crossings
Summits:
Cossings:
- via Rainbachscharte (2.724 m) to Krimmler Tauernhaus (1.631 m)
- via Rosskarscharte (2.689 m) to Richter Hütte
Hard and soft rocks
The Wildgerlosbach stream – s powerful glacier stream – created the beautiful Leitenkammer Gorge with its magnificent potholes and eroded shapes. Here the stream cuts through the hard core gneiss of the Venediger massif before flowing into what is today the Durlassboden reservoir 100 m below, located on the soft bedrock of the penninic basement. Dippers and grey wagtails can be frequently seen in this area. This gorge is home to alpine currants, species of saxifrage and a rich moss and fern flora.
One of the largest lakes in the national park
The Lower Gerlossee at 2,328 m above sea level is ten hectares large and 39 metres deep. Water pipits and marmots can be observed in its environs. The surrounding boulder fields are covered with map lichen and dwarf willow. In-between we can find alpine sedge. Upper Gerlossee has a beautiful silting zone with white cottongrass and moss.
Glacial treasures of shape
The Wildgerlostal Valley brilliantly illustrates how the landscape was shaped by ice-age glaciers. It is a typical glacial trough. Here the glacier once scraped through the V-shaped valley to form its U-shape as seen today. The glacier and the weathering created cirques in which beautiful alpine lakes - such as the Gerlos Lakes - were formed after the ice had melted away. The last major glacial advance of the post-glacial period took place from 1850-1855. The "1850-moraine", deposited rubble and rocks, bears witness to this and appears particularly beautiful if watched before the receding Wildgerloskees glacier.
Constant dripping – water and ice shape the landscape
Leitenkammer Gorge
From Finkau Inn it's a ½ hour walk through Fichtenwald to the gorge. Viewing platforms provide easy access. Dippers and grey wagtails can be observed in the magnificent eroded potholes. After an escarpment south of Trisslalm hut, the prominent glacial trough of Wildgerlostal Valley opens up before you. Continue into the valley or via the Leitenkammer trail to the Breitscharte wind gap, the Plattenkogel (2,039 m, natural landmark) and to Krimml.
Walking time: from Finkau approx. 1 hour to Trisslalm hut
Wild and romantic – to Zittauer hut
This easy valley walk becomes steep and alpine in the last section. The unspoilt population of Swiss pine along the mountainsides reaches up to around 2,000 m altitude. Then the craggy cliffs of the trough walls and rocks from rockfalls lend the valley its wild and romantic flair. The glacier stream has room and flows largely untouched. The receding glacier at the end of the valley left behind an impressive terminal moraine from the year 1850. It is through this moraine landscape that the last climb up to Gerlos lake leads.
Walking time: approx. 3 hours
High alpine – Rainbachtal Valley to Krimml Achtental Valley
From the Zittauer hut it's on to Upper Gerlos Lake on a high alpine, somewhat exposed but secured trail via the Rainbachscharte wind gap into Rainbachtal valley and on to Krimmler Achtental Valley. Climbing up you'll find glacier buttercup, sticky primrose and dwarf snowbell. Marmots can be heard or seen. The views from the wind gap of the 3,000-metre peaks and glaciers is breathtaking. The climb down from the wind gap is secured with ropes and letters on the first part. Attention: in spring the safety ropes are still hidden beneath the snow. Onwards to Rainbachsee Lake (2,404 m) with its beautiful silting zone and cottongrass, through alpine sedge, dwarfshrub heathland to deserted alpine land and though mountain pine and Swiss pine forest to Rainbachtal valley. The trail leads down to the Krimmler Tauernhaus via the escarpment.
Walking time: approx. 4 hours
