Hornischegg & Helm

Description

To the south west of the town of a seven kilometre toboggan run winds its way to the Leckfeldalm which provides plenty of view. One level higher is the original building, Sillianer Hütte. It marks the start of the Carnic altitude trail and impresses with its incomparable view to the Sexten Dolomites. The Hornischegg is a lovely viewing summit, thirty minutes south-east of the lodge and in the opposite direction to the Helm. Standing on its summit is the historic Helmhaus, from there is a ski run into the Sexten-Vierschach ski area.

Starting point is the town of Sillian (1100 m). At the western edge of the town we bear left opposite a chapel, heading south and crossing the Drau and Bahn. Car parking is available at the start of the toboggan run. We use this route to get to ‘Gschwendter Kreuz’ (1421 m), where we change over to the summer trail and head on the even ascent in the forest aisles to the alpine inn which is open when the toboggans are operating (2 ½ hours). Those who want to avoid the forest trail completely, can ascend to the south of Sillian train station via pastureland, bearing right (west) at Gschwendter Höfen and using the summer trail through the steep protected forest (follow the yellow wooden signposts). Please note: this is a bit difficult to find for those of you who don’t know the area when it is not tracked. Just above Leckfeldalm the ski track swings to an alpine inn (route signposts) and bears left of this heading into the valley in the wide kettle beneath Sillianer Hütte which can be seen from quite a distance. After a small terrain edge area, which we go around to the right (NW), we now cut through, keeping a respectful distance from the foothills of the east slopes of the Füllhorn (avalanche risk). We soon get to the ridge above the ridge of the Füllhornsee, which cannot be seen, and we head for the broad Leckfeldsattel (2381 m). Here there is the option of following the wide ridge to the north west to Helmhaus (30 – 40 mins) or to Sillianer Hütte (2452 m) (15 mins), where just above the inn after an enclosed ridge basin known as the Obermahdsattel, is the lovely Hornischegg (wooden cross). Descent along the ascent track.