Ebenseer Hochkogelhütte
3.4About
The Ebenseer Hochkogelhaus — also called the Hochkogelhütte — stands at 1,558 m in the western Totes Gebirge, above Ebensee am Traunsee in the Salzkammergut. The gentle Hochkogel summit (the 'Kegerl', 1,591 m) rises about ten minutes above the house, and the hut is a base for the Nestlersteig, the Feuertal ice caves and longer tours toward the Großer Schönberg. It has been run since 1924 by the Naturfreunde, Ortsgruppe Ebensee. It offers around 49 sleeping places — roughly 23 in rooms and 26 in dormitory (Matratzenlager) style — and a sleeping-bag liner is required. The usual approach starts from the Schwarzenbach car park near the Offensee turn-off and climbs for about three hours through forest and alpine meadow; it is moderate rather than difficult, but involves over 1,000 m of ascent and some sure-footedness on the rocky upper section. The hut is generally staffed from mid-May to late October — continuously through the summer, then on weekends and in good weather into the autumn — and hosts a popular giant-slalom ski race each spring.
Access Routes
From the Schwarzenbach car park via the Almweg
3h
Moderate
From the Schwarzenbach parking near the Offensee turn-off, climb via the Mittereckerstüberl and Almweg for about three hours and over 1,000 m of ascent to the hut.
From the Mittereckerstüberl (higher parking)
2h
Moderate
A shorter variant of about two hours starting from the higher gravel-road parking near the Mittereckerstüberl.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact the hut by phone on +43 676 83940493 or email [email protected]; more information is on the official Naturfreunde page. Booking ahead is advised for overnight stays.
It is generally staffed from mid-May, continuously through the summer to around mid-September, then on weekends and in good weather into late October. Shoulder-season dates shift from year to year.
The standard approach is from the Schwarzenbach car park near the Offensee turn-off, climbing for about three hours; a shorter roughly two-hour variant is possible from the higher parking near the Mittereckerstüberl.
It is rated moderate. The path is technically straightforward but long, with over 1,000 m of ascent and a rocky upper section where sure-footedness is needed, so a reasonable level of fitness is required.
The Naturfreunde hut provides meals and drinks and around 49 sleeping places split between rooms and dormitory. A sleeping-bag liner is required for all beds.
Location
47.7270, 13.7890
HutLists Score
3.4
Overall
Facilities
Access
Season
Based on facilities, access, and how reliably the hut is open.
Quick Facts
- Managing club
- Naturfreunde Ortsgruppe Ebensee
- Season
- May – October
- Beds
- 23
- Dormitory
- 26
- Min hiking time
- 3.0h
- Nearest trailhead
- Schwarzenbach car park, near Offensee (Ebensee)
Facilities
Meals served
Contact & Booking
- [email protected]
- Phone
- +43 676 83940493
- Website
- https://hochkogelhaus.naturfreunde.at/
Featured In
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