A wide hiking trail continues from the Arthurhaus hotel westwards in the direction of the Erich Hut. It soon merges into a track, however, which snakes its way along on a more or less even course below the impressive Mandlwand peaks. You will reach the Mitterbergalm and its farm after a short time, which invites you to take a rest. Continue through sparse mixed mountain woodland with spruces, larches and pines, and across open meadowland until reaching the turn-off to the Riedingalm meadow, which is also farmed and offers mainly home-made products (fresh milk, butter and cheese). From here, the trail leads downhill until the stream of the Riedingtal valley, where a trail also turns off to the waterfalls. Afterwards, a short steep climb must be covered, which thanks to the numerous beeches and the sycamore maple is well shaded and therefore a pleasant walk. Now, the trail continues across open alpine meadowland on to the Widdersbergalm meadow, where there is likewise a farm (approx. 2h 15min). After walking through mountain pines, you will reach the turn-off to the Birkar peak, although this is a trail that cannot be recommended owing to its steepness and exposed areas. Shortly afterwards comes the turn-off to the Stegmoosalm meadowland and its farm and also the turn-off to the Dientner Sattel pass and the Birkarhaus lodge. A gently undulating path now leads to the foot of the Taghaube (2,159m) and on to the Erich Hut, which was built in 1902 by the Lend/Dienten section of the Austrian Alpine Club (3h 30min from the Arthurhaus hotel).
(Christina Schwann, OeAV)

The next stages lead through the Kalkhochalpen nature reserve, which comprises the Salzburg section of the Göll massif, Hagengebirge, Hochkönig, Steinerne Meer and Reiter Steinberger limestone mountains between the Saalachtal and Salzachtal valleys. This area is above all characterised by its natural state and the extraordinarily diverse plant and animal life. The reserve order was enacted in 1.1.1984 in the main aim of preserving this unique landscape with its numerous different biotopes of crevice communities, blue moor grass and caricetum sempervirentis, down to the subalpine forest communities, thus at the same time protecting the wildlife. This walk at the foot of the Mandlwand is marked by pastureland terrain, farmed meadows, varying vegetation and a breathtaking mountain panorama. The Mandlwand – from east to west – includes the Vierrinnenköpfe (2,307m), the Gamsleitenkopf (2,534m), the Sattelköpfen (2,526m) and the Hochstellkopf (2,478) peaks. Further west stands the Königskopf peak at 2,632m and the Kleine Bratschenkopf at an altitude of 2,686m. The Gamskar cirque with the characteristic steep couloir, over which the waterfalls stream, forms its base. Even further to the west, the Große Bratschenkopf peak rises up still at an altitude of 2,857m and finally there is the King of the mountains, the Hochkönig at an altitude of 2,941m. Directly beside the Hochkönig stands the Matrashaus lodge and behind it starts the high plateau of the Übergossenen Alm, a small glacier. The onward trail to the Erich Hut now passes the Birkar peak, and also the Hohe Köpfe peaks with the Taghaube peak. It is also possible to see the Lausköpfe peaks, which are not as high but nevertheless very beautiful. In addition to this, the alpine pastures invite hikers to rest at regular intervals, and so this day could well be one of the most leisurely on Via Alpina, unless you decide to climb the Taghaube as well.
(Christina Schwann, OeAV)