I (Monika) know these trails off hand and could walk them blindly (home territory), so we are flexible to vary the routs according to weather conditions, and to how we feel.Option 1)
About 5-6 hours (depending on snow). If there is much snow, which is likely, we will take the following route: parking lot – Hochkogelhaus – Gasthaus Kleine Kanzel – back to parking lot: we will walk up the curvy mountain-road, which offers a nice view down to the valley, and which is cleared and graveled. We will follow the road to Hochkogelhaus, from where we will also have a lovely view. Then we will have to master the hard part: this will be the path to Gasthaus Kleine Kanzel. There is no ascent, but this trail leads through woods and will lead through knee deep snow for one and a half hours. The last 400 m will lead steep uphill to the Gasthaus Kleine Kanzel, where we will be rewarded with a beautiful view. Then we will follow the road back and after another hour get to the scenic curves along the rock face again.Option 2)
If the trail (in option 1) is not passable, then we will drive up to Gasthaus Wiener Neustätter Haus, walk up to Gasthaus Kleine Kanzel (15 min. uphill on the road), then 2 km (about 45 min. through snow) to Wilhelm Eichert Hütte, where we will have a most beautiful broad view and enjoy a wonderful starry sky. Dinner in the hut available. Then we will walk back via Berghotel Plackles. Viewpoints along the trail. Extension to Hubertushaus possible (depending on snow). About 4-5 hours including extension.
