At the Erich Hut, you must first pass among the alpine farm buildings situated below the refuge in order to reach the path to the Pichlalm meadow. Take a wide trail across open meadowland dotted with lone larches and spruces down to a track that leads downwards through the wood to the stream. This is where the newly constructed nature theme trail begins, which explains all that is worth knowing about the flora and fauna with the help of large wooden boards. After crossing the bridge, keep to the right at the fork in the road and follow the track upwards. The track soon leads to the roadway, which leads directly to the Pichlalm meadow. Here, the beautiful but sometimes very exposed trail also branches off to the Lausköpfe peaks. Behind the Pichlalm meadow, a track continues left further up hill until reaching a very beautiful little plateau, which is strewn with mountain pines and interspersed with marshy meadows. The track now leads downwards through the wood and it is already possible to see the eastern foothills of the Steinerne Meer mountains with the distinctive Selbhorn peak and even the Leoganger Steinberge mountains with the Birnhorn on clear days. A roadway heads right slightly uphill for short while and then downhill to the nice little Mussbachalm meadow and farm. The roadway continues, arriving directly in the village centre of Hinterthal (approx. 2h). Looking back, it is possible to distinguish the Teufelsslöcher caves, which stand out clearly against the blue sky and can be scaled using a climbing trail leaving from Hinterthal. The view into the valley head is also incomparable and invites you to come hiking again in this area. Keep to the left in Hinterthal, pass the little supermarket and cross the main road coming from Dienten. Continue on the left-hand side of the road to reach a lovely hiking path running along the left bank of the Urslau. At its end, cross the bridge and walk for approx. 100m back to the main road before turning left in the direction of "Pichlhof". Walk directly past the farm and then take the little meadow path on the right to "Jufen, Maria Alm", trail number 5. A steep incline leads to an old barn and behind that another roadway, which you must soon leave to the right, continuing further uphill along a track. After a little copse comes a cattle pasture, where an optimal view can be enjoyed for the first time over the Steinerne Meer mountains, the entire Saalfelden basin and the Leoganger Steinberge mountains. A short downhill stretch, past the pretty chapel, leads you to the Gasthof Jufen inn after approx. 1h 10min. From the inn, walk to the right along trail no. A401 following the sloping ridge on an almost even course until reaching the Natrun snack-bar, and then follow the signs directly into the centre of Maria Alm. Alternatively, you could also walk directly through the Natrun valley (left at the car park and then uphill to the right), which is very beautiful and at the same time informative, thanks to an imaginative woodland theme trail.
Behind the Church of Maria Alm is the start of the well signposted ascent to the Natrun snack-bar and the Gasthof Jufen inn. On reaching Hinterthal along the main road from Maria Alm, you must go back to the right for approx. 100m along the road before turning left over a bridge on the hiking trail to Hinterthal.
(Christina Schwann, OeAV)

The little hamlet of Hinterthal belongs to the community of Maria Alm. It is a popular tourist area, because it is so peaceful. The little church is particularly beautiful, and the incredible snow level of 1 May 1817 is marked on its outer wall. Due to its location at the foot of the Torscharte wind gap, Hinterthal can count on abundant snowfall practically every winter, but the winter of 1817 exceeded all expectations. Even on 1 May, the snow still almost reached the roof of the church! A new well was recently built in front of the church, which with its three circular wooden tubs to symbolise the Trinity. The people of Hinterthal have displayed their closeness to nature by using stones from the Torscharte area. The Triefen natural monument not far from Hinterthal is another special feature. This is a spring over an impermeable stratum two to three metres above the Urslau river flowing below. A shining water curtain forms over a length of approx. 100m over the moss-covered stone. On the onward route, the trail leads over the Jufen and the Natrun. Both names bear witness to the earlier Celtic and Roman settlements, and the word "Jufen" gives "Joch" (pass). In the Bronze Age, the Romans extended the path over the Filzensattel pass into an important mule trail. Even before the Romans, however, the Celts lived at the foot of the Steinerne Meer range. The word Natrun comes from the Celtic word "utrune". There also appears to have been bears here, as the word "Urslau" – the stream that flows through Maria Alm – comes from the Latin word "ursus" for bear. Farmland names such as Bärnbach, Bärwies or Bärgang confirm this assumption. When we are talking about Maria Alm, mention must by all means be made to the church with its striking, sharp steeple. Today’s church is the third on this site. The first was built in the middle of the 12th century in Roman style, as proven by excavations in the course of the 1987 renovations. The second church dates back to the early Gothic era. It was also at that time that the impressive steeple was erected. In about 1508, the steeple was made higher raised, and now it towers up to the sky like a thin needlepoint. Magnificent carpentry went into its creation and in all Salzburg, it is the highest church steeple at 84m. During this renovation, the church nave was also extended into a three three-aisle hall and the walled gallery included. By the year 1521, the church aleady had five altars. Unfortunately, the frescoes were painted over in 1875 and improperly restored in 1932. It was only the course of the 1987 renovations that the already poor condition of the frescoes was remedied and since then, visitors can again get an approximate idea of the church’s original splendour.
(Christina Schwann, OeAV)