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 mainly follows gravel paths. The trail along the young Gössering is marked by ruins that refer to the glorious industrial past of this area. Weißbriach was a mining community for gold, silver, galmei, and iron. But now the sound of the stamping hammer no longer disturbs the peaceful landscape, and only the discolored autumn leaves remain of the gold. The Waisacher Alm lies beautifully in a protected hollow, the Compton hut in a majestic mountain forest beneath the mighty cliffs of the Reißkofel.

Equipment

Normal hiking equipment with hiking boots!

Directions

If you come from Villach/Hermagor or Italy: Take the A2 South Motorway, exit Hermagor, continue on B111 to Hermagor. In Hermagor, after the roundabout (2nd exit), turn right and continue towards Weißbriach.

If you come from Weißensee: Drive via 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