Hochzinödl

The Hochzinödl stands in the Gesäuse National Park in the Ennstal Alps of Upper Styria. It rises south-west of Hieflau, its slopes falling to the Hess hut run by the Austrian Alpine Club. The mountain overlooks the surrounding peaks, including the Hochtor, and the Sulzkar glacial cirque with its small lake lies to the south-east. The Hochzinödl became a classic high alpine walk in the late 19th century. Tadeusz R. von Smoluchowski made the first winter ascent in 1892, followed by Thomas Maischberger and Heinrich Pfannl in 1898. In 1925 Hilde Kornfeld climbed the north-west face via the ‘Herrmann-Kornfeld’ route. The north face, known as the Hinkfuß, was first ascended in 1982 by Hans Bergmann and Richard Gollner in seven hours. Visitors reach the summit along demanding alpine paths that start from Johnsbach or Hartelsgraben. The route passes through open larch woods and karst landscapes, offering wide views over the valley and the cirque below. Near the Hess hut the path nears the Sulzkarsee, a small glacial lake set in rugged terrain.