Volkzeinalm - Hochalmspitze (Villgraten)

Access to the starting point:
Drive through the Karavanke Tunnel into Austria, then continue to Spittal and on to Lienz (the motorway ends a little after Spittal). We continue along a relatively nice and wide road through the Drava Valley. In the centre of Lienz, at the main roundabout, turn left and continue driving towards Itali (exit from the roundabout in the direction of the villages of Leisach, Anras and Silian). In the village of Heinfels (located close to Silian) you will see signs for the Villgratental valley, which will direct you to the right onto the ascending road. A little higher up, in Außervillgraten, continue to the right towards Winkeltal. Follow the road, which loses its asphalt surface higher up, to the parking area at the end of the road (the road continues only as far as the nearby hut).

Path description:
From the parking lot, continue along the road, which will take you up to the Volkzeinerhütte mountain hut in 2 minutes.
The marked trail passes the hut on the right and then climbs up the initially steep grassy slope. Soon you reach a marked crossroads, where you continue to the right in the direction of 'Hochalmspitze in Leisacher Alm' (Gsaritzer Törl on the left).
The trail crosses a torrential stream and then begins to climb steeply across the increasingly steep slopes. The path, which passes through a sparse forest, then descends a slightly exposed slope into another ravine and then begins to climb more steeply. The path continues quickly onto grassy slopes, where it turns slightly to the left. Continue along a scenic path, where you can observe numerous alpine flowers. The path then approaches a stream, crosses it at a higher level and then lays down. After a few minutes of easy walking, the path leads to the viewpoint mountain pasture Leisacher Alm, where you can see a large shepherd's hut.
From Mountain pasture continue along a slightly less visible path, which continues to climb slightly to the left. After a few minutes of ascent, the path turns further to the left and then crosses a shorter rocky slope, beyond which you reach an area of small springs. Further on, a less visible but well-marked path crosses extensive grassy slopes and gradually approaches a saddle, which is reached by a shorter, slightly steeper climb.
Once on the Kleinitzer Lenke saddle (2614 m), a fine view of the highest peaks of High Tauern opens up, and we continue to the right along a steep ridge. The path continues steeply up the ridge, which is full of granite slabs (some of which are quite wobbly). Higher up, the steepness eases a little and the path leads us to the edge of a pasture fence. After a few minutes, the path follows the fence slightly to the left and then continues along the ridge, which is becoming more and more scenic. Follow this pleasant ridge path, which does not pose any major danger inland (be careful not to get caught in a storm on the ridge), all the way to the top, which is reached after a few minutes of further walking.

On the way: Volkzeinerhütte (1890m), Leisacher Alm (2350m), Kleinitzer Lenke (2614m)

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