E.T.Compton hut (1,585 m) - Waisacher Alm (1,244 m) - Weißbriach

Level of difficulty: Medium

20.9 km

Distance
7.5 h

Duration
787 vm

Lowest elevation
1592 vm

Highest elevation
920 vm
920 vm

E.T.Compton hut (1,585 m) - Waisacher Alm (1,244 m) - Weißbriach

This hike is mainly on gravel paths. The path along the young Gössering is characterised by ruins that point to the glorious industrial past of this area. Weißbriach was a mining community for gold, silver, calamine and iron. But now the sound of the hammer no longer disturbs the peaceful landscape and all that remains of the gold are the discoloured autumn leaves. The Waisacher Alm is beautifully situated in a sheltered hollow, the Comptonhütte in a majestic mountain forest beneath the mighty precipices of the Reißkofel.

Equipment

Normal hiking equipment with hiking boots!

Directions

If you are coming from Villach/Hermagor or Italy: From the A2 south motorway, take the Hermagor exit and continue on the B111 to Hermagor. In Hermagor, turn right after the roundabout (2nd exit) and continue in the direction of Weißbriach.

If you are coming from Weißensee: Drive over the Kreuzberg to Weißbriach.

A first glimpse

Some impressions of the tour

Directions

At the municipal office in Weißbriach, turn left before the Gössering bridge and follow the signposts no. 10 or 11, 238 towards W. We always keep south of the stream. Soon we are accompanied by steep rock faces and the rushing water. Past the ruins of old power stations and ironworks, without any significant ascent to the furthest part of the ditch, path 10 or 11, or 238 (do not branch off via path 10a beforehand!). Then ascend to the right into a saddle - Pfarreben, approx. 1140 m - here turn left towards Comptonhütte via path 12/239. The idyllic AV hut, 1585 m above sea level, which we reach after another 2 hours, awaits us with special offers.

Way back:
The way back is the same as far as Pfarreben, then we ascend slightly via path 10 to the Waisacher Alm. A marvellous view over the Drau, Gitsch and Gailtal valleys is worth the effort before we continue on our way after a short refreshment stop. We follow trail no. 9 to the junction with trail no. 10a, take this and walk back to the starting point through the Gösseringgraben.

Variant2: From the Pfarreben do not go to the Comptonhütte, but straight to the Weisacher Alm, as described on the way back.

Variant3: Return from the Waisacher Alm via the so-called Plattenweg trail no. 9 to Weißbriach.

More info