Großer Traunstein

The Grosse Traunstein is a 1 943-metre peak in the Tennengebirge range above Abtenau in Salzburg. It stands north-east of the Raucheck, the range’s highest point at 2 430 metres. The whole massif is made of Dachsteinkalk, a limestone so worn by water that the rock is deeply pitted. The Little Traunstein, 1 659 metres high, is its nearest neighbour in the same group of Northern Limestone Alps. Climbers are the only people who set foot on the Grosse Traunstein itself. The rest follow the First circular trail, which starts at the Karalm at 1 004 metres and winds through alpine ground past the Schallwand at 1 929 metres. The path skirts both the Grosse and Kleine Traunstein before topping out on the First col at 1 820 metres. From the col the view opens over the Tennengebirge’s jagged limestone ridges and the green valley of Abtenau below. The contrast between the pale rock and the dark spruce forests is striking. Walkers who do not climb the summit still enjoy a high alpine route with long views.