Hiking (mountain trail, in places narrow and exposed)
Alpine route (equipped or very exposed section, snow field, blocks)
B40
Kemptner Hütte » Oberstdorf
Trail crossing
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3h50 |
15.7 km
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53 m
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1063 m
The trail from the Kemptner hut is quite steep at the start. It leads downwards through the wood until you finally reach the valley floor. This is followed by a leisurely ramble to Oberstdorf.
From the Kemptner Hut, do not follow the roadway to the goods lift, but instead take the hiking trail down along the Sperrbach stream. At the start of the deep gorge between Mädelkopf and Fürschießer, the path, secured with wire ropes, leads through the rocks and crosses the stream further down. A short climb on the other side leads to the so-called knee, before continuing down in the alder thicket onto the valley floor, where the Sperrbach is once again crossed. Here, the path then becomes flatter again and, passing through pines and ever thicker vegetation, you reach the valley station of the goods lift and shortly afterwards the roadway into Spielmannsau (approx. 2h). In Spielmannsau, either follow the road to the Christlsee lake or keep to the right on passing the inn, cross the Traufbach stream and walk along the hiking trail through the woodland to Gottenried and now always straight ahead on the roadway alongside Dietersberg. Before the bridge, a track branches off to the right again. Follow it to arrive directly in Gruben. A road continues on to the bridge across the Oybach stream. Here, it meets the Red Trail of Via Alpina, whose target destination is likewise Oberstdorf. After the bridge, keep to the left and follow the course of the lovely Trettach until arriving directly in the centre of Oberstdorf (approx. 2h from the Spielmannsau). At the southern end of Obertsdorf, follow the course of the Trettach until you come into the Spielmannsau. From here, the trail to the Kemptner Hut is well signposted. (Matthias Hill, DAV-Sekt. Allgäu-Immenstadt, Christina Schwann, OeAV)
Natural and cultural heritage
Spielmannsau is approx. 7km from Oberstdorf and only belongs to Bavaria since 1877 – it was previously firmly in Austrian hands. It is worth going to see the little "Christi Geburt" (Christ’s birth) chapel, mentioned for the first time in 1695. A detour to the tiny mountain village of Gerstruben is by all means worth while, as the entire village, which consists in four farmsteads, a Marienkapelle (Chapel of St. Mary) dating back to the 17th century and an old saw mill, is under monument protection. Up until 90 years ago, there was only a footpath to the little mountain village and the transport of food by horse was very laborious. And while modern life had long since been established in Oberstdorf, the petroleum lamps were still burning in Gerstruben. The winters were especially hard, and the inhabitants were often snowed in for weeks on end, cut off from the outer world. That is why the people there end up selling their land and leaving the mountain village. For the last three generations there has been an inn in Gerstruben, and the family that runs it is the only family still registered as living in Gerstruben. The valleys surrounding Oberstdorf are also well known for their clear water. The Trettach mountain water is a special treat, as it is free of nitrate, contains little carbon dioxide and is exclusively available to local restaurateurs. The water comes from the great depths of the dolomite stone at the foot of the Hahnenköpfle and the Höfat. It is extraordinarily pure and free of harmful chemicals. Oberstdorf itself is the southernmost spa and relaxation resort in Germany. It has been an internationally recognised "climatic health resort" since 1937 and in 1964 was also distinguished with the "Kneipp spa resort" rating. Oberstdorf enjoys outstanding air quality and 8.3% of the total surface area has been made a designated pedestrian area within the framework of the "Car-free Oberstdorf" pilot project. Literature: Internet: www.oberstdorf.de (Christina Schwann, OeAV, with the kind support of Matthias Hill, DAV-Sekt. Allgäu-Immenstadt)
Other long-distance trails and alternative routes
Detour to Gerstruben: through the Hölltobel waterfall park in approx. 45min, to the mountain village that benefits from monument protection. Consists in 5 houses and a chapel (17th century Chapel of St. Mary), historical saw mill. Oder: near Gottenried to the other side of the Trettach peak around the nearby Christlessee lake. E5
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.
"Campingplatz Oberstdorf" is a good option to stay the night. A long walk from the city center however. Trail follows the road for most of the stage. Possible to take the bus from Oberstdorf to bypass this part. Trail is easy to follow up to Kemptner Hutte. Can be slippery for some parts when it is raining.
tof - 2014-12-26
Trieste-Monaco le 7/8/14 (B39+B40)
Départ de Bach, petit déjeuner à la boulangerie d'Holzgau. Passage à Kemptnerhutte et descente sur Oberstdorf. La fin de parcours est en fond de vallée sur route goudronnée. Encore une ! Navette à Christlesee.
Possibilité de prendre la navette pour Oberstdorf depuis Spielmannsau.
A Oberstdorf, 2 campings au nord de la ville (2kms). Bus depuis la gare. Oberstdorf est une jolie ville.
Camping municipal sans épicerie et vraiment plein. toujours possibilité de mettre une tente malgré cela. C'est un plus. Le second camping à 200m était "complet".
Automatic translation
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Trieste-Monaco on 08/07/14 (B39 + B40) Departure from Bach, breakfast at the bakery of Holzgau. Kemptnerhütte passage and down on Oberstdorf. The end of course is in the valley on asphalt road. Again! Shuttle Christlesee. Opportunity to take the shuttle to Oberstdorf since Spielmannsau. A Oberstdorf, 2 campsites north of the city (2kms). Bus from the station. Oberstdorf is a pretty town. Municipal campsite without groceries and really full. always possible to put a tent in spite of this. This is a plus. The second camp at 200m was "complete".
Jean-Louis Giraud - 2014-03-24
Oberstdorf dispose de réelles capacités hôtelières. Pour autant, il n’est pas vraiment simple de trouver une chambre dans ce gros bourg de Bavière, peu disposé à recevoir des randonneurs « au long cours «,mais ville-étape pour trois itinéraires de la Via Alpina !
Hébergement à Oberstdorf avec petit déjeuner *** (52 €uro)
Kurparkhotel
1 Prinzenstrass
Tel 0049 08322 96560
Email : kurparkhoteloberstdorf@t-online.de
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Oberstdorf has real hotel capacity. However, it is not really easy to find a room in this large village of Bavaria, unwilling to receive hikers "long-term", but a stage town for three routes of the Via Alpina! Oberstdorf accommodation with breakfast *** (52 € uro) Kurparkhotel 1 Prinzenstrass Tel 0049 08322 96560 Email: kurparkhoteloberstdorf@t-online.de
Monaco - Trieste
Plenty of restaurants until Spielmannsau on the way up to Kemptner hutte. Via Alpina yellow and red trail meets here. Also E5 hikers starts from Oberstdorf, expect crowd during season. Kemptner hutte can accomodate 300 hikers...10euros for a bed
Oberstdorf has 2 campingplatz little bit off town. A Youth hostel also available but 4km off town.
|
3h50 |
15.7 km
|
53 m
|
1063 m
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.