22 hours ago

Hochkeil Hike in Austria with Hochkönig Reflection Lake

Hochkeil Hike is one of those trails that rewards you with stunning views for minimal effort. The area is crisscrossed with numerous hiking paths, offering fantastic vistas of the Hochkönig region and a variety of options for both easy and challenging hikes. What particularly caught our attention on this hike was a serene lake that perfectly reflected the majestic Hochkönig massif in its waters.

The Hochkeil Hike Info

🥾 Difficulty: Easy

⛰️ Total Distance: 3KM (point to point)

📈 Incline: 300M

⏱️ Total Duration: 1-2 hours (there and back)

How to get to Hochkeil Hike

The Hochkeil Hike begins at the Arthurhaus hotel, located at an elevation of 1,500 meters. During the winter months, Arthurhaus is an excellent base for visitors coming to the region for skiing, as the slopes are conveniently close by. In the summer, it’s a great option for van and motorhome travelers, thanks to its large parking area where overnight stays are allowed for just €12.

What’s even better is that the parking fee can be deducted from your restaurant bill if you dine at Arthurhaus. To maximise savings, make sure to first allow log the hours on your parking token—then enjoy your meal just before leaving. For those staying overnight, the hotel also provides access to its restrooms, making it a particularly convenient and budget-friendly spot for a stopover.

The Hochkeil Hike

The Hochkeil trailhead starts from the Arthurhaus parking area. Since several trails branch out from there, check out our Strava log above to make sure you’re on the right one. With your back to the Hochkönig massif, head uphill along the path with a few benches at the beginning. The trail is short, straightforward, and easy to follow—as long as you start off on the right track, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding your way.

The hike begins on a wide dirt road that steadily climbs all the way to the top of Hochkeil. At first, you’ll pass through a dense forest of tall pine trees, but soon after passing a ski lift, the landscape opens up to incredible views of the Hochkönig massif, which will accompany you all the way up. As you get closer to the summit, the road begins to zigzag. On one of the final turns, you’ll notice a smaller path branching off to a green meadow. Follow this path for a few hundred meters, and you’ll reach a small reflection lake marked as Spiegelsee am Hochkeil on Google Maps.

Now, a heads-up: the “lake” is more of a large puddle. But with the right angle, you can still capture a beautiful reflection of the Hochkönig massif in the water. For the best photos, visit in the morning when the wind is calm and the reflection is sharp. We spent a peaceful hour by the lake, having breakfast, soaking in the views, and taking pictures before continuing to the summit of Hochkeil, which was just a few minutes away.

At the top, we found picnic tables, large wooden cinema-style chairs, and a few other touches that gave the spot a somewhat commercialised feel. While reaching the summit was fun, we actually preferred the serene atmosphere around the lake.

From the top, you can continue on a loop trail back to the parking lot. While the path takes you through the forest with no major views, it’s a pleasant and relaxing walk—perfect if you’re in the mood for an easy stroll to finish the hike.