Filzmoos is a down-to-earth alpine town in the state of Salzburg in Austria.
Set below the stunning Gosaukamm mountain range of the Dachstein, Filzmoos is an excellent base for hiking in summer and fall.
Filzmoos perfectly encapsulates everything we love about hiking in Salzburg: charming alpine pasture huts, soaring limestone mountains, and dreamy alpine scenery.
There’s a wide selection of trails around Filzmoos that are accessible, scenic, and utterly enchanting. Some of our favorite day hikes in Austria start in Filzmoos including the Rötelstein peak hike and the Hofpürgl Hut to Sulzenalm circuit hike.
Furthermore, Filzmoos is well-positioned for day trips to Ramsau am Dachstein (15-minute drive), Schladming (30-minute drive), and Mühlbach am Hochkönig (35-minute drive).
- Elevation: 1057 meters
- When to Hike: June – October, depending on weather/snow conditions.
- Top Attractions: Almsee Lake, Bachlalm, Hofalm, Sulzenalm
- Where to Stay in Filzmoos: Bauernhof Krahlehenhof (midrange), Das Anja Alt Filzmoos (midrange), or meiZeit Lodge (luxury)
- Closest Airports: Salzburg Airport and Munich International Airport
- Recommended Itinerary: 2-Week Austria Road Trip
- Recommended Trail Map: Dachstein WK 0281 1:50 000 (Freytag & Berndt)
Filzmoos Map
Where is Filzmoos
Filzmoos is located in the state of Salzburg, below the Gosaukamm mountain range, in the Austrian Alps.
This alpine town is 83 km (1 hour drive) from Salzburg City, 27 km (30 minutes) from Wagrain, 13 km (15 minutes) from Ramsau am Dachstein, and 21 km (30 minutes) from Schladming.
When to Visit Filzmoos for Hiking
The hiking season in Filzmoos starts in early June and ends in early-late October, depending on weather/snow conditions.
Summer is busy and vibrant. Cows graze freely in the mountain pastures. Everything is open.
If the weather is stable, October is a beautiful and quiet month to hike in Filzmoos. The surrounding hillsides are covered in larches, which turn vibrant shades of gold and amber in mid-October.
In late October, many restaurants close and don’t open back up until the winter season (early-mid December). That can make finding a place to eat difficult. The Filzmoos tourist office provides a list of huts, restaurants, and hotels that are open during shoulder-season.
Where to Stay in Filzmoos
Midrange | Bauernhof Krahlehenhof is a traditional farm with double rooms, family rooms, and apartments. Set in an idyllic location, this lovely accommodation offers a wonderful breakfast, a welcoming and authentic atmosphere, and cozy interiors. We ate a delicious dinner here during our last visit to Filzmoos.
Midrange | Das Anja Alt Filzmoos offers rooms and apartments in the heart of Filzmoos. Stay here for the intimate setting, excellent location, and lovely rooms. Guests receive the Filzmoos Sommer Card.
Top Choice – Luxury | meiZeit Lodge is a tastefully-furnished boutique hotel in the town center of Filzmoos. Stay here for the generous breakfast buffet (included in rate) and relaxing wellness facilities (Finnish pine sauna, bio herbal sauna, infrared relaxation loungers, relaxation zone, and vital drink bar). This charming accommodation also serves a complimentary afternoon cake selection between 3:00 and 5:00 pm.
Luxury | Hotel Neubergerhof is located on a plateau in the Ski Amadé Ski Area, 6 km from the town center (10-minute drive). The room rate includes breakfast & dinner (half board). Stay here for the quiet surroundings, mountain surroundings, rich breakfast buffet and outstanding multi-course dinner, and friendly staff. Guests have access to an indoor swimming pool, family sauna, and adults-only wellness area (Finnish sauna, bio sauna, steam bath, relaxation room).
More accommodations in Filzmoos: Haus Ratgeb (budget), B&B Landhaus Vierthaler (midrange)
Look for accommodation in Filzmoos.
Best Hikes in Filzmoos
Hofpürgl Hut to Sulzenalm Circuit Hike
This scenic day hike is the ultimate excursion in Filzmoos. It’s a grand circuit tour which runs along the base of Bischofsmütze and Gosaustein in the Dachstein Mountains.
The hike starts at Hofalm, accessible by bus, or car via the Hofalm toll road.
Hofpürglhütte (1705 m) is a mountain hut located beneath the Bischofsmütze twin peaks.
As you gain elevation, the Gosaukamm/Dachstein range seems to spread its wings like a butterfly. After ascending to Hofpürglhütte (50 minutes), the route follows the Linzerweg (Linzer Steig) across the boulder/rock-filled Kesselwand beneath Bischofsmütze.
The undulating path continues east across graben, spurs, and boulder fields to Rinderfeld, a huge expanse of grass sprawling below the soaring limestone walls. After crossing this gorgeous pasture, the trail drops below the treeline and then zigzags up to the Sulzenschneid Spur.
After cresting the spur, continue to the highest point, Eiskarlschneid, marked by a summit cross.
The trail descends to the Sulzenhals saddle and wanders through dwarf pine and later larches to reach the rolling pasture area of Sulzenalm.
Sulzenalm is home to two enticing huts, Wallehenhütte and Krahlehenhütte, which serve delicious meals throughout the day.
From Sulzenalm, it’s a 45-minute descent to Hofalm.
Trail Stats Hofpürgl Hut to Sulzenalm Circuit Hike
Trailhead | Hofalm
Distance | 12.9 km circuit
Time Needed | 5:15 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss | 912 meters
Difficulty | Moderate – Moderately Difficult
Learn More: Hofpürgl Hut to Sulzenalm Circuit Hike
Rötelstein Peak Hike
Rötelstein (2247 m), also called Rettenstein, is a mountain northeast of Filzmoos. It stands just south of the Dachstein massif and thus offers one of the most riveting views of the Gosaukamm and Dachstein South Face.
The Rötelstein summit hike is thrilling and demanding. Hikers must be comfortable scrambling and tackling broken rock and scree terrain.
Starting at the Rettensteinhütte (only open in winter), the trail ascends continuously up forest and pastureland to reach the southwest slope of Rötelstein. For an hour, the trail follows the main crest to the summit, alternating between scrambling and hiking passages.
It’s an exciting and lengthy approach with great views along the way. The final stretch to the summit unfolds rather magnificently, as you come face to face with Torstein (2948 m), Mitterspitz (2925 m), and Hoher Dachstein (2995 m).
The hike continues north across the summit of Rötelstein.
The soft grassy trail turns to loose rock as the path drops steeply down the northeast side of the mountain. Waymarks steer hikes through scrambling passages and across broken rock and scree to the Sulzenhals saddle.
From the saddle, it’s an easy jaunt to Sulzenalm, where you can grab a bite to eat at Wallehenhütte or Krahlehenhütte. The Kaiserschmarrn is sensation at both huts.
At the trail junction across from Krahlehenhütte, turn left. The trail wraps around the Mandlinghofalm pasture, backed by the iconic Bischofsmütze – the twin peaks shaped like a bishop’s hat/mitre.
The way to Rettensteinhütte passes easily through forest and meadows. The final leg follows a forest road and ultimately a paved road back to the starting point.
Trail Stats Rötelstein Peak Hike
Trailhead | Rettensteinhütte car park
Distance | 9.8 km circuit
Time Needed | 5 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss | 937 meters
Difficulty | Difficult
Learn More: Rötelstein Peak Hike
Bachlalm and Neustattalm Circuit Hike
This blissfully easy circuit trail meanders through forest and across dreamy pastures at the foot of the Dachstein South Face.
It’s a great option for arrival and departure days, when you’re craving fresh air but nothing too strenuous.
The hike starts at the Bachlalm car park, which is located along the Filzmooser Strasse, between Filzmoos and Ramsau am Dachstein.
Follow the private Bachlalm access road up to Schaidlalm mountain pasture. Detour to Bachlalm and then continue through patches of forest and wide-open meadows to reach the Neustadtalm mountain pasture.
The circuit continues to Glösalm restaurant/inn and then follows the Dureggrundweg trail down to Dachsteinruhe and the Bachlalm car park.
Tip: You can also hike to Neustadtalm from Ramsau am Dachstein via the 5 huts trail.
Trail Stats Bachlalm to Neustattalm Hike
Trailhead | Bachlalm Car Park
Distance | 10.4 km circuit
Time Needed | 3:45 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss | 588 meters
Difficulty | Easy
Learn More: Bachlalm to Neustattalm Circuit Hike
Papagenobahn to Radstädter Hütte
From the village center, take the Papageno gondola (Papageno-Gondelbahn) to Schörgi Alm. Check out the current operating hours on their website.
The Papageno-Gondelbahn ride is included in the SalzburgerLand Card, which is a 6-day or 12-day tourist card that grants guests free or discounted access to 190 attractions across the state of Salzburg.
From the gondola summit station, walk one hour to the mountain hut Radstädter Hütte (1770 m). As you hike along the trail, it looks like the whole Gosaukamm / Dachstein mountain range is a magazine layout, and you’re walking across it.
From the gondola station, you can either take the wide dirt road or a narrow forest trail in the direction of Radstädter Hütte. The views are better from the road, but the forest trail is more interesting. We hiked this as a loop, opting for the road at first.
After about 20 minutes, you’ll reach a signed intersection, where a hiking path departs from the main road. Take the trail. From Radstädter Hütte, you’ll be met with sublime views of the Radstädter Tauern mountain range, Schladminger Tauern, Dachstein, and more.
Trail Stats Papagenobahn to Radstädter Hütte
Trailhead | Papageno Gondola mountain station
Distance | 7 km out-and-back
Time Needed | 2:10 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss | 185 meters
Difficulty | Easy
Austria Trip Planning Essentials
Use our Austria Travel Guide and Austria blog archive to plan a unique and memorable trip to Austria.
When to Visit Austria
Summer and early Fall are our favorite seasons in Austria.
Getting around Austria
Austria has an excellent public transit system. We’ve used it extensively to travel throughout the country. We highly recommend using transit if you’re visiting cities (Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz, etc…), and/or doing hut-to-hut hikes.
Some areas like Mayrhofen, Schladming and Lech am Arlberg have wonderful seasonal transit systems in place (e.g. summer hiking buses). However, if you’re not visiting during the high season, bus frequencies are significantly reduced and it’s far easier to get around with your own vehicle.
If you’re planning on visiting multiple destinations across Austria, we recommend renting a car.
Use these road trip itineraries for trip planning inspiration:
- 2 Week Austria Road Trip – starting in Vienna
- 1 Week Austria Road Trip – starting in Salzburg or Munich
- 10-Day Bavarian Alps & Tyrolean Alps Road Trip – starting in Munich
Car Rental
We recommend using the Discovercars.com car rental reservation platform to search for and book car rentals. This easy-to-use booking platform compares car rental deals from 500+ trusted providers, so that you can choose the best option for your trip.
If you’re driving into Austria from a neighboring country, don’t forget to purchase a vignette at/near the border.
Hiking in Austria
Where to Hike in Austria
Read Austrian Alps Hiking Destinations for an overview of where to hike in Austria, with tips on specific trails and where to stay. Also check out Best Day Hikes in Austria and these region-specific hiking guides:
- Salzburg Hiking Guide
- Schladming, Styria Hiking Guide
- Lech am Arlberg, Vorarlberg Hiking Guide
- Vorarlberg Hiking Guide
- Vienna Mountains Hiking Guide
Hut to Hut Hiking in Austria
Austria is a premier hut-to-hut and long-distance hiking destination. The quality of the mountain huts are superb. We particularly love the high-alpine trails, which are called Höhenwege in German. We’ve summarized our favorite multi-day hikes in Trekking Austria. If you’re new to hut hiking, read this in-depth guide to Hut to Hut Hiking in Austria.
Hiking Essentials
- Day Pack: Osprey Tempest 30 Women’s Backpack / Osprey Talon 33 Men’s Backpack
- Grade B/C high-cut hiking boots: Meindl Schuhe Island Lady (Kati’s Boots), Women’s Hanwag Tatra II GTX (Sabrina’s Boots), Men’s Hanwag Tatra II GTX (men’s equivalent)
- CAT 4 Sunglasses: Julbo Shield Mountain Sunglasses
- Hiking Poles: Black Diamond Trail Trekking Poles
- Backpack Camera Clip: Peak Design Camera Clip
What to See & Do in Austria
- Visit a gorge like the Liechtenstein Gorge in Salzburg.
- Bathe in thermal pools of an Austrian Therme like Aqua Dome in Tirol.
- Stay in a thermal spa hotel like Rogner Bad Blumau (designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser) in Styria, EurothermenResort Bad Ischl in Upper Austria, or Aqua Dome Hotel in Tirol.
- Hike to a mountain lake like Lake Drachensee in Tirol or Lake Tappenkarsee in Salzburg.
- Go Wine Tasting in South Styria.
- Marvel at the culture, music, and architecture of Vienna.
- Eat heartwarming mountain food in an Almhütte at Grosser Ahornboden in Tirol or Ursprungalm in Styria.
- Drive the Grossglockner High Alpine Road in Hohe Tauern National Park.
- Visit the castles, monasteries, and wine taverns of the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hi there! Such a wonderful article! Thank you! All this information has really helped me plan my trip to Austria.
Best,
Eesha
Thank you so much Eesha!