Hi. I'm planning on doing the Donnerkogel klettersteig in early July, and trying to find info that would help me plan it. I've looked online a lot and gotten some info, but not real clear on best way to get there for one thing. I'd be coming from Vienna, and would like to do public trans if possible. It looks like I could take a train to Halstatt (or maybe closer), and then a bus from there, but does anyone know if that is really practical vs. renting a car? I would be going on to Salzburg from there, so a car would have to be one-way.
Also wondering if anyone knows how typically crowded the DK is at that time of year? I know I can get the cable car from Gosausee up to the trailhead near Gablonzer Hutte, but the earliest one seems to be 8:15 am. I'd rather not stay at the GH, even though that could give me a head start, but hiking up to the trailhead from the Gosausee adds over 1.5 hours of uphill. Does anyone know how much traffic I'd encounter on the trail if I take the cable car at 8 am or even later in the day? I'm not adverse to climbing in heat.
I'd also like to know if Gosau would be the best place to base for that climb, and where I can rent the necessary equipment.
Thanks in advance for any advice.