Grosser & Kleiner Sonnstein (06.07.2015)

© Helwig Hauser

Note that this track has been created a posteriori, i.e., from memory, not automatically recorded.

Trip Summary

We started with two cars, leaving one a small parking spot south of Traunkirchen (if you drive from north, for ex., Gmunden, in the driection of Bad Ischl, then you first cut short Traunkirchen through a tunnel -- shortly afterwards you pass through a very short new tunnel and then the parking spot is on the right). Then we drove further, with the other car, towards Ebensee. As soon as we entered Ebensee, even before crossing the Traun, we turned right at the first opportunity (onto Hauptstrasse). After only a short distance -- basically at the first regular option to turn right, again -- we turned right (onto Langbarthstrasse). From there, we turn right again, into Kirchengasse -- this turn is not obvious (the turn is very sharp and Kirchengasse is very narrow). Right next to the church we parked, again, and started the hike, following the very clear signs. The hike goes steadily upwards on a very good path -- no problem at all to walk! In our case, we hiked in VERY warm weather, which made the ascent a little strenuous. We first hiked up Grosser Sonnstein, from where we enjoyed nice views over Traunsee and the mountains around it! Then we stepped back for a few meters to find the path that connects to Kleiner Sonnstein. Only a few steps into that path, there is one part, where you "climb" downwards -- it's easy and there is a metal rope to help. Finding Kleiner Sonnstein requires a bit of patience, then -- one would expect to reach it quite quickly, but in fact we had to walk for maybe 30 to 45 mins. to actually get there. The ascent to Kleiner Sonnstein is short (about 115m up from the saddle) and there is a small cabin there, which offers a simple menu (when we came, it was closed, though). From Kleiner Sonnstein the views over Traunsee are even nicer than from Grosser Sonnstein. The descent from there is then super-easy as the path is REALLY well prepared -- even with steps in between! To get back to the parked car, we needed go walk for a short stretch next to the road, but this was no problem. All in all, this hike was not too long (in particular given the very warm day!), but with very nice views over Traunsee and the surrounding mountains! :-)

Photos

Selected photos are available as Google+ photo album.

Useful Resources

Web page Hikr.org provides a trip report, including Grosser and Kleiner Sonnstein.
The Alpenverein Salzburg has also a related trip report.