Ascent of the TAC Spitze mountain from the Präbichl saddle

Trek up the TAC Spitze with a short ferrata

Starting point

Parking in the Präbichl road saddle. Parking is free and very spacious.
 

Description of the hike

After arriving at the Präbichl saddle in the evening, we spent the night in the car. The weather was beautiful, so we enjoyed the views of the surrounding mountains, especially the Eisnenerzer Reichenstein massif. However, we had to get up very early in the morning because the weather forecast was clear. Thunderstorms right after lunch.

So we started early and climbed up the marked wide path to the mountain basin below Mount Polster. We soon left the forest and gradually gained altitude along the way. The path turns to the Leobner Hütte hut, where we took a sharp turn and reached the Hirscheggsattel mountain saddle. Up to this point it was a very easy hike. The next part of the trail, however, had completely different parameters. Already the sign on the signpost to the mountain TAC Spitze has black markings, therefore difficult.

From the saddle we almost immediately switched to rocky terrain. In places we climbed in unpleasant stone rubble, parts of the ascent were again on more solid rock. At the same time, fantastic views of the surrounding mountains began to open up. Eventually we climbed up to a wide rocky ridge from which we could already see the summit of the TAC Spitze. And at first sight it was clear that this was going to be the most challenging part of the trip.

We reached the foot of the rock and part of the expedition put on a ferrata set. There is a protected route to the top of the mountain with difficulty A+. The ferrata is not difficult and there is actually only one more difficult section - perpendicular climbing. After successfully climbing the short ferrata we reached the top. The views are really great. You have the Hochschwab, the Ennstal Alps, the Low Tatuern and the more distant Totes Gebirge in the palm of your hand. That's why we stayed on the summit for a long time. Eventually, however, the expected storms forced us to head back.

We went to the Präbichl saddle basically along the same path as the ascent, but we shortened our way from the Leobner Hütte hut. Here we descended down into the valley on a beaten path alongside a freight cable car. At the bottom of the mountain basin we joined a wide path and returned to the car in time. The first drops began to fall as we left the Präbichl saddle.

 

Difficulty

Most of the route is a classic alpine trek, which is led on roads or mountain trails. The other part of the route is on rocky and rubble terrain. Here too it is a classic trek, only steeper. However, the last metres to the very top are already about climbing. There is a ferrata of A+ difficulty. A fit hiker can do it without belay, of course I recommend a ferrata set. The ascent is also in a short but perpendicular wall.
 

Water availability

The Leobner Hütte hut is on the trail, and there is a spring a short distance from the Hirscheggsattel saddle. Even so, we had about 1.5 litres of water per person.
 

Sleeping options

We spent the night in the car, but there are plenty of accommodation options around the Präbichl saddle, or in the town of Eisenerz.
 

Mountain peaks

The summit of the TAC Spitze at 2,019 m above sea level offers great views of the Hochschwab, the Enntal Alps, the Low Tauern and more.
 

Danger

The final climb up the rock to the top is definitely the most technically demanding and therefore the most dangerous. The climb is purely on the rock, which is why a short ferrata is installed here. The really challenging part is the section of about 10 metres of perpendicular rock climbing. Even the summit itself is very narrow, a better place to rest is just below the summit. The rest of the route is basically trouble-free. The first part of the climb from the Präbichl saddle is very comfortable, on a wide path. The second part is in rocky terrain. Here there are unpleasant debris fields, where the rocks keep moving and spilling as you climb.
 

Food

The Leobner Hütte is on the route. We had enough snacks, bars, etc.