Hochkeil (1782 m) is a panoramic mountain, which stands south of the striking, limestone Hochkönig massif in Salzburg, Austria.
This easy-to-reach summit boasts deliriously beautiful views of the striking Mandlwand, which forms the southeast flank of the Hochkönig massif.
Summit views also extend to the Tennen Mountains, Hohe Tauern, and the Niedere Tauern mountains.
Along the way to Hochkeil, you can detour to the mountain lake atop the Troiboden meadow. This lake is called both Bergsee am Troiboden and Spiegelsee am Hochkeil.
Though “lake” is slightly misleading, this small body of water, set in a moor, delightfully mirrors the Hochkönig peaks. It’s a picture-perfect motif.
The hike to Hochkeil starts at the Arthurhaus mountain hotel and restaurant, high above Mühlbach am Hochkönig. Arthurhaus is accessible by bus and by car.
We recommend combining this short 2-hour hike with the Arthurhaus to Erichhütte hike.
- Trailhead: Arthurhaus, Mühlbach am Hochkönig | Google Maps
- Distance: 6.1 km out-and-back
- Time Needed: 2 hours
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 284 meters
- Difficulty: Easy
- Minimum Elevation: 1499 meters
- Maximum Elevation: 1783 meters
- Where to Stay in Mühlbach am Hochkönig: Landhaus Rieding (midrange) Das Grünholz Aparthotel & Restaurant (luxury), Hotel Bergheimat (luxury)
- Where to Stay in Dienten am Hochkönig: The Peak Hochkönig (luxury)
- Where to Stay in Maria Alm: Apartments-Pension Renberg (midrange), or Hotel Eder (luxury)
- Recommended Trail Map: WK 2103 Hochkönig 1:25 000 (Freytag + Berndt)
Hochkeil Trail Map
Where to Start the Hochkeil Summit Hike
Arthurhaus
Parkplatz Arthurhaus is located at the end of the Mandlwandstrasse, high above Mühlbach am Hochkönig.
The Arthurhaus bus stop is located at Arthurhaus. Look up regional bus timetables on Salzburg Verkehr.
Car Park Location | Google Maps
Parking Fee |
1 – 2 hours: 3 EUR
2 – 3 hours: 4 EUR
3 – 4 hours: 5 EUR
4 – 5 hours: 6 EUR
5 – 6 hours: 7 EUR
The rate increases by 1 EUR for each hour. The maximum parking fee is 12 EUR for 24 hours.
Payment | Cash Only
Hochkeil High Trail Description
Arthurhaus to Troiboden Lake (40-50 minutes)
From Arthurhaus, head towards the Mandlwand wall of the Hochkönig.
Pass the Sennerei Schweizerhütte alpine dairy. When you reach the wide gravel track, turn right in the direction of Hochkeil (trail 84), signed 1 hour.
Follow the gravel track around the car park.
Soon the track divides. Turn right and follow the road into the forest. Don’t hike up the ski slope.
Now, simply ascend the forest road. The gradient is moderate. As you ascend, you’ll see the block-shaped Tennengebirge.
The trail crosses the meadow of Troiboden.
About 40 minutes into the hike, the road divides. Turn right to detour to the mountain lake at Troiboden.
Troiboden Lake to Hochkeil (10 minutes)
Return to the wide track and continue another 10 minutes up to Hochkeil, passing the Rosswieslift mountain station along the way.
The plateau summit is marked by a Gipfelkreuz (summit cross), single antique gondola, benches, and map.
Hochkeil to Arthurhaus (50 minutes)
Follow the same route back down to Arthurhaus.
Where to Stay in the Hochkönig Region
The Hochkönig holiday region encompasses the towns of Mühlbach am Hochkönig, Dienten am Hochkönig, and Maria Alm am Steinernen Meer. Most accommodations provide the Hochkönig Card at no extra charge (June – October).
This guest card gives you free rides on regional transit and cable cars and more. Some accommodations have a minimum stay (2-4 nights depending on the season).
Mühlbach am Hochkönig
Budget | Landhaus Rieding is a guesthouse located on the Riedingalm mountain pasture at the foot of the Hochkönig mountains. If you want to wake up in the mountains, surrounded by beautiful peaks and idyllic pastureland, stay here.
Midrange-Luxury | Das Grünholz Aparthotel & Restaurant is located on Mandlwandstrasse, about halfway between the town center of Mühlbach and Arthurhaus. This family-run aparthotel boasts stunning modern apartments, excellent breakfasts, and spa facilities.
Luxury | Hotel Bergheimat is another hillside hotel between the town center of Mühlbach and Arthurhaus. The room rate includes breakfast, an afternoon snack and dinner. This traditional Austrian hotel offers spacious and comfortable rooms, an indoor swimming pool, and a spa with six saunas.
Luxury | AlpenParks Hotel & Apartment Hochkönig is an aparthotel situated in the town center of Mühlbach. Apartments are well-equipped and tastefully furnished. Perks: free underground parking garage with e-charging stations, free summer children’s program monday-friday (6 years old+), optional breakfast (extra charge).
Look for accommodation in Mühlbach am Hochkönig.
More Hikes in Salzburg
Hochkönig Mountains:
Dachstein Mountains:
Radstädter Tauern:
Austria Trip Planning Essentials
Use our Austria Travel Guide and Austria blog archive to plan a unique and memorable trip to Austria.
When to Visit Austria
We recommend visiting Austria between June and October for hiking and between December and March for skiing and winter adventuring.
Summer Travel | Summer in Austria
Autumn Travel | Autumn in Austria
Winter Travel | Winter in Austria, Salzburg in December, Vienna in December, Vienna in January, Skiing in Schladming
Getting around Austria
Austria has an excellent public transit system. We’ve used it extensively to travel throughout the country. We highly recommend using transit if you’re visiting cities (Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz, etc…), and/or doing hut-to-hut hikes.
Some areas like Mayrhofen, Schladming and Lech am Arlberg have wonderful seasonal transit systems in place (e.g. summer hiking buses). However, if you’re not visiting during the high season, bus frequencies are significantly reduced and it’s far easier to get around with your own vehicle.
If you’re planning on visiting multiple destinations across Austria, we recommend renting a car.
Use these road trip itineraries for trip planning inspiration:
Start in Vienna | 2 Week Austria Road Trip
Start in Salzburg, or Munich | 1 Week Austria Road Trip
Start in Munich | 10-Day Bavarian Alps & Tyrolean Alps Road Trip
Car Rental
We recommend using the Discovercars.com car rental reservation platform to search for and book car rentals. This easy-to-use booking platform compares car rental deals from 500+ trusted providers, so that you can choose the best option for your trip.
If you’re driving into Austria from a neighboring country, don’t forget to purchase a vignette at/near the border.
Hiking in Austria
Where to Hike in Austria
Read Austrian Alps Hiking Destinations for an overview of where to hike in Austria, with tips on specific trails and where to stay. Also check out Best Day Hikes in Austria and these region-specific hiking guides:
Tyrol | Innsbruck Hikes, Lake Achensee Hikes
Salzburg | Salzburg Hikes, Filzmoos Hikes
Styria | Schladming Hikes
Vorarlberg | Vorarlberg Hikes, Lech am Arlberg Hikes
Lower Austria | Vienna Mountains Hikes
Hut to Hut Hiking in Austria
Austria is a premier hut-to-hut and long-distance hiking destination. The quality of the mountain huts are superb. We particularly love the high-alpine trails, which are called Höhenwege in German. We’ve summarized our favorite multi-day hikes in Trekking Austria. If you’re new to hut hiking, read this in-depth guide to Hut to Hut Hiking in Austria.
Hiking Essentials
- Day Pack: Osprey Tempest 30 Women’s Backpack / Osprey Talon 33 Men’s Backpack
- Grade B/C high-cut hiking boots: Meindl Schuhe Island Lady (Kati’s Boots), Women’s Hanwag Tatra II GTX (Sabrina’s Boots), Men’s Hanwag Tatra II GTX (men’s equivalent)
- CAT 4 Sunglasses: Julbo Shield Mountain Sunglasses
- Hiking Poles: Black Diamond Trail Trekking Poles
- Backpack Camera Clip: Peak Design Camera Clip
What to See & Do in Austria
1. Visit a gorge like the Liechtenstein Gorge in Salzburg, or Wolfsklamm Gorge in Tyrol.
2. Bathe in the thermal pools of an Austrian Therme like Aqua Dome in Tyrol
3. Stay in a thermal spa hotel like Rogner Bad Blumau in Styria, EurothermenResort Bad Ischl in Upper Austria, or the Aqua Dome Hotel in Tyrol.
4. Hike to a mountain lake like Lake Tappenkarsee in Salzburg or Lake Drachensee in Tyrol.
5. Go Wine Tasting in South Styria.
6. Marvel at the culture, music, and architecture of Vienna.
7. Eat heartwarming mountain food in an Almhütte at Grosser Ahornboden in Tyrol, or Ursprungalm in Styria.
8. Drive the Grossglockner High Alpine Road in Hohe Tauern National Park.
9. Visit the castles, monasteries, and wine taverns of the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
10. Watch a Krampus Run: Krampus Parade in December.
Austrian Hotels
- Best Hotels in the Austrian Alps
- Best Hotels in Lech am Arlberg, Vorarlberg
- Wellness Hotel Theresa, Zillertal, Tyrol
- Hotel Eder in Maria Alm, Salzburg
- Nidum Casual Luxury Hotel in Tyrol
- Seehotel Einwaller in Pertisau, Lake Achensee, Tyrol
