Heukareck

The Heukareck stands in the Salzburger Land above the Salzach valley, a grassy dome rising to 2,100 metres. It forms the southern sentinel of Schwarzach im Pongau, its slopes falling away northward to the 2,287-metre Höllwand. The mountain crowns the Gamskarkogel ridge inside the Ankogel range and lies within the 867-hectare Paarseen-Schuhflicker-Heukareck nature reserve. Ludwig Purtscheller made the first recorded ascent on 31 May 1879, but the peak has long drawn walkers for its wide views. A direct route leaves Schwarzach via the steep Herzogalm, while from Großarl the Niggeltal valley leads through wildflower meadows to the Niggeltalalm. The Heukareck is also a fine goal for a two-valley crossing, joining Schwarzach with Großarl along the ridge. On the summit visitors find open limestone slabs and a modest cross. The panorama stretches from the Hohe Tauern to the Tennengebirge, and in winter the mountain’s shadow shortens the day in Schwarzach. Thomas Bernhard recalled this shadow in his memoir, calling the peak’s shape an “infamous ugliness.” The grassy crest offers little shelter, so the best moments come in still, clear weather when the valleys below lie in sharp light.