Hoher Göll from Faselsberg

The Hoher Göll is one of the most classic backcountry skiing routes in the Berchtesgaden Alps. It's an extremely beautiful route with exceptional views from the summit, but it should only be attempted when the stability of the snowpack is very high (this route has an avalanche risk level of 1), as there are sections where it's better not to fall.

There is a small free parking lot, but if it's full, you have to park a bit earlier where you'll have to pay 5 euros. The amount of snow has been increasing in recent days due to the high temperatures in Austria, so we decide to start with our hiking boots, which we'll end up wearing for the first 300/400 meters. Most of the section cannot be done with skis, as it includes a small section with cables (which is usually icy) and some footbridges where we would have to remove our skis.

Around 1,500 meters, we put on our skis under the imposing wall of Brettgabel (1,805 m) and start progressing through moderately frozen snow that is still in the shade. We continue advancing until we reach the middle of an immense valley surrounded by peaks such as Hohes Brett (2,340 m), Grosser Archenkopf (2,398 m), and our goal, the Hoher Göll (2,522 m). The walls of these peaks are very steep and offer an impressive view. At this point, the sun is shining brightly, and the snow is transforming.

We continue progressing while the impressive wall of the Hoher Göll accompanies us. It's hard to believe that it can be skied. We reach the col where the paths separate for Grosser Archenkopf and Hoher Göll. We start the ascent up its shoulder very comfortably and with exceptional views. Once we reach 2,450 meters, we have a very flat area to the base of the summit. Only about 50 meters separate us from the summit, which marks the border between Austria and Germany.

We are accompanied by a splendid day where the wind hardly blows, and we take advantage to enjoy a good breakfast at the summit of Hoher Göll, which offers us exceptional 360-degree views. An expanse of snow-covered peaks and also the city of Salzburg.

On the descent, the snow has changed, allowing us to enjoy the descent quite a bit. We remove our skis at the same point as before and face the final descent to the car. We end the day at Gasthof Vorderbrand where we enjoy a delicious Kräuterspätzle and a good beer. It's always a good idea to find a gasthof and finish the day there.