Leibnitzbachbrücke - Hoher Prijakt

Access to starting point:
Through the Karawanks Tunnel, we drive to Austria, and then we continue driving towards Spittal and forward towards Lienz (a little after Spittal the highway ends). Further, we drive on a relatively nice and wide road through the Drau valley. In the center of Lienz, at the roundabout, we continue right towards the settlement Matrei. From the roundabout we drive for approximately 8 km through the valley by the river Isel, then we turn right towards the settlement Oberleibnig. On an ascending road we then all the time follow the signs for the mountain hut Hochschoberhütte. The road is otherwise most of the time ascending on steep slopes and is quite narrow. In the last part, the asphalt ends and we continue a few more kilometers on a macadam road to the parking lot by a bridge over the stream Leibnitzbach.

Route description:
From the parking lot, we continue a few more meters on a macadam road which is further closed for traffic, and then signposts point us to the right on a footpath. At first, we ascend through the forest by the left side of the stream Leibnitzbach. Later, the path named Eduard Jordan Weg brings us to somewhat gentler grassy terrain where we cross the bridge. Further, the path again ascends a little steeper by the stream and brings us to the mountain pasture Leibnitzalm.
On the mountain pasture the path crosses the stream and then joins the mountain road. Further, we walk for some time on a macadam road along the stream, then we get to a crossing, where the macadam road turns left.
At the crossing, we continue straight where signposts by the path direct us. From the crossing, we at first walk on a wide cart track, which after crossing the stream soon turns into a footpath. The path here again starts to ascend a little steeper and leads us through a short stretch of forest. The path continues along the stream and from the left side soon joins also a path from the end of the road. Further, the path turns a little to the right and increasingly beautiful views of the surrounding peaks start to open up. The path then runs on grassy slopes past a cross, and by the path there are also quite a few benches. When we reach somewhat steeper slopes, the path turns to the left and then in the ascent crosses the slopes all the way to the mountain hut Hochschoberhütte.
At the mountain hut where there is a crossing, we head right following the signs »Barrenlesee 1.5h« and continue on relatively level grassy terrain in the direction towards the south. The panoramic path then starts to ascend a little and continues towards the slopes of the peaks Hoher and Niederer Prijakt. When we get somewhat closer to the walls of the mentioned peaks, the slope flattens and the path brings us to a marked crossing.
At the crossing, we continue left towards the summit Hoher Prijakt and lake Barrenlesee, right leads the path towards the notch Mirschachscharte over which leads the western path towards the summit Niederer Prijakt. Further, the terrain becomes increasingly rocky and the path leads us through a small valley in the direction towards the east. The path then brings us to the cirque named Kleiner Barren where there is also a smaller unnamed lake. A little before the mentioned lake, the path brings us to a marked crossing.
Here we leave the path towards the notch Mirnitzscharte and head right towards the lake Barrenlesee and summit Hoher Prijakt. The path from the crossing is a little less trodden but sufficiently well marked and at first runs over rough scree upwards. Higher the slope becomes steeper and at a few spots during the ascent we must also use our hands. Later the slope becomes less steep again and the path through an indistinct rocky small valley soon brings us to the high mountain lake Barrenlesee at an altitude of 2727 meters.
At the lake we continue right and ascend again over rough scree. Further, we then ascend relatively steeply for some time on the eastern slopes of the peak Hoher Prijakt. The steepness then eases slightly and the path runs towards the south to the notch Westliche Barreneckscharte from which a view opens towards the south.
From the notch we then continue decisively to the right and start ascending the summit slope of the mountain. The slope here is dotted with rock slabs, so the path on this section is less visible. However, the path is sufficiently well marked so the ascent causes no difficulties. Along such a path we soon reach the panoramic summit where there is a logbook box.
We can descend by the ascent path. From the summit it is otherwise possible to continue on a somewhat more demanding path towards the summit Niederer Prijakt.

Along the route: Leibnitzalm (1908m), Hochschoberhütte (2322m), Kleiner Barren (2520m), Barrenlesee (2727m), Westliche Barreneckscharte (2899m)

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