DIRECTIONS (Ascent): The well-marked and signposted steep road towards Rattendorfer Schneid begins directly after the alpine hut in southern direction. After a few minutes, signposts will direct you to the left toward the Zottachkopf. The trail leads up a moderate ascent across an Alpine meadow to a „Sea of Stones“ – a formation consisting of impressive boulders – just beneath the Zottachkofel Massif. Crossing the massif on the marked trail, you will arrive at the foot with well-signposted crossroads. Here you have to decide in what direction you want to carry on:
Via ferrata (to the right) or the Sagmeister Steig (to the left).
All your efforts will be rewarded if you choose the first option. And anyway: you can always easily turn around and use the Sagmeister Steig to reach the summit if you cannot manage the so-called „Schlüsselstelle“ (directly after crossroads) at the beginning of the via ferrata.
The slightly exposed ascent across fossil-rich muschelkalk and reef limestone rocks involves some light climbing and should be easily manageable whatever option you choose. There is a narrow wind gap just before the base of the summit which needs to be crossed. Climb the last sloping ledge and you will be rewarded with the most amazing summit view „made by Zottachkopf“.
DIRECTIONS (Descent):
Walk a few metres along the ascent trail, and then turn right on the southern slope of the Zottachkofel Massif. The descent leads across scree downhill to the Rattendorfer Schneid. From there, take the Carnic High Altitude Trail (KHW 403) and follow the trail – along the Rattendorfer Schneid - in western direction. You will arrive at a fork after a walking time of around half an hour. From here, climb downhill in northern direction to the Rattendorfer Alm.
