This extensive and challenging mountain tour in Ausseerland leads to the Schönberg (2,090 m), the westernmost peak of the Totes Gebirge. Those who take the long route via the Blaa Alm, the Naglsteig, the Ischlerhütte and the Traglstatt will be rewarded with an impressive panoramic view of the Dachstein massif, the Totes Gebirge and all the way to Lake Traunsee.
You start at the Blaa Alm, which is the first place to stop for refreshments. After crossing the alpine pasture, the route runs through a barrier. Immediately afterwards, the forest road turns right and then immediately left downhill to Blaa-Bühel, a steep descent to Rettenbach. There, the Naglsteg crosses the stream and the start of the Naglsteig begins.
The trail is initially flat, but then quickly becomes steeper. Sure-footedness and a head for heights are required here. The trail leads steeply uphill through the Naglschlag until you reach the “Anger” after around 1.5 hours and shortly afterwards the “Beerensattel”. After a short descent, you reach the ÖAV Ischlerhütte, which is ideal for a rest.
From there, the trail continues through the alpine pasture area, past a hunting lodge, up to Traglstatt, where the route splits. Trail no. 226 branches off to the right and continues over a steep section, partly secured with wire ropes. The route then runs through mountain pine fields past the Altarkögerl to the summit of the Schönberg.
A 360-degree panorama of the Totes Gebirge, Dachstein, Grimming and far into the Salzkammergut awaits at the top. After making a note in the summit book, the descent follows trail no. 227 northwest down into a rocky cirque, then back up to the Möselhorn.
The descent continues along the ridge of the Schönberg until you reach trail no. 211. Turn left here into a steep saddle, then along the Karleithe and back to Traglstatt, where the ascent path is reached again. The trail then leads back to the Ischlerhütte and continues over the Beerensattel down towards Bad Ischl.
Am Ahornsberg, the trail branches off to the left. A partly steep tractor path leads down into the Rettenbachtal valley. There the route follows the course to the Naglsteg before climbing the Blaa-Bühel again. The destination is once again the Blaa Alm.