Prossautal — A Glacial Box Valley in Hohe Tauern

Deep within the Hohe Tauern National Park, the Prossautal is a valley that branches off the Kötschachtal near Bad Gastein. This long but mostly flat trail follows the Kötschach Ache river into a classic glacial box valley. The rock walls on either side rise significantly, with multiple thin waterfalls cascading down the granite faces. The trail ends at the Alpengasthof Prossau, a traditional alpine inn positioned near the base of the Tischler glacier.

While the Ebenalp is most famous for the Aescher cliff-restaurant, the true adventurer continues upward to the Schäfler ridge. This hike follows the 'Dragon’s Back' of the Alpstein, a series of increasingly jagged limestone peaks leading toward the mighty Säntis. The view from the Schäfler hut (1,925m) across the Altenalptürm—a row of vertical rock fins—is arguably the most dramatic ridge view in Europe. The return trip involves a technical descent to the jewel-green Seealpsee, where the reflection of the mountains creates an almost unreal alpine scene.