Hiking (mountain trail, in places narrow and exposed)
Alpine route (equipped or very exposed section, snow field, blocks)
R50
Prinz-Luitpold-Haus » Oberstdorf
Trail crossing
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5h35 |
20.5 km
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431 m
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1449 m
A wonderful alpine yet leisurely hike awaits you. The route not only makes it possible to admire all of the high-ranging peaks of the Allgäu Alps such as the Schneck and the Höfats, but also meets two of the other Via Alpina routes. Follow the course of the Purple Trail to the Schönberg hut and, shortly before Oberstdorf, you will come across the Yellow Trail.
Follow the signs, cross the wide, scree-covered valley head on a gentle descent around the Wiedemerkopf peak and the lower Wildengruppe peaks and continue through an alder thicket and steep grassy slopes down until approaching the Schönberg Hut. Here, the trail climbs again and leads at last steeply into the Himmeleck pass at 2,007m. From here, an impressive view over the Höfats, probably the most imposing grass-covered mountain in the Allgäu Alps, can be enjoyed. On the western side of the mightily towering Wilden mountain, head downward again in hairpin bends and across the boulder-strewn slopes until reaching the Wildenfeld Hut below the Upper Wilden (approx. 2h 10min). Here, keep to the right to reach a little roadway leading steeply downward to the Käseralpe. Pass the thundering Stuibenfall waterfall to reach the picturesque setting of the Oytalhaus lodge (approx.2h from the Wildenfeld Hut). From here, follow the road outward through the Oytal valley. There is also the possibility of travelling by taxi or horse-driven carriage to Oberstdorf. At around the halfway point of the trail out of the valley, a track branches off from the road, leading along the Oybach stream through the wood. Finally, you will come onto the Yellow Trail of Via Alpina and together, these trails lead along the Trettach brook until reaching Oberstdorf village centre (approx. 1h 30min from the Oytalhaus lodge). (Christina Schwann, OeAV)
Natural and cultural heritage
In the area of the Käser and Gutenberg Alps, it is possible to witness the typical Allgäu pastureland farming and some very interesting flora and fauna in the area of the Himmeleck Sattel pass. The view from there to the west of the steeply towering Höfats, the most imposing Allgäu grass-covered mountain, probably shows some of the most impressive scenery in the Eastern Alps. The Stuibenfall waterfall thunders downward from the Älpele. The word "Stuiben" is derived from "Stauben" (to raise dust), which given the vast quantities of water spray is not surprising. The trail soon reaches the Oytal valley, which with the Oytalhaus lodge is a popular excursion destination for young and old alike. The valley can be enjoyed to the full in leisurely style by horse-drawn carriage. Oberstdorf itself is the southermost holiday town in Germany. It can be reached via Kempten and Sonthofen from the north, while in the south there is no accessible crossing over the Allgäu Alps into the Austrian Lechtal valley. It is only possible to go south on foot via the Kemptner Hut (Via Alpina Yellow Trail). In terms of agriculture, dairy farming is of particular importance around Oberstdorf. This gives the Allgäu brown cattle, which today are rarely still to be found in their pedigree form, special importance. These small, robust animals are supposed to be particularly adaptable, long-lived and they produce milk into old age. Today, the race is being bred again in its pure form through special breeding programmes. Even in the 18th century, most of the population still lived off spinning and flax growing. However, as competition from the north soon became too much, the farmers converted to cattle farming. The numerous high-quality dairy products are devliered directly by farmers to the Oberstdorf tourism businesses and served at your table. The Red, Yellow and Purple trails of Via Alpina come together in Oberstdorf. While the Yellow and Purple trails end in Oberstdorf, the Red Trail continues on via Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, France and Italy to Monaco. (Christina Schwann, OeAV, Matthias Hill, DAV-Sekt. Allgäu-Immenstadt)
Useful topographic maps
Allgäuer Alpen ~ Topographische Karte (1 : 50000)
Nr. 3, Allgäuer Alpen, Kleinwalsertal ~ Kompass (1:50.000)
Nr. 2/1 Allgäuer - Lechtaler Alpen, West ~ Oesterreichischer Alpenverein (1:25.000)
ÖK 50 114, 113 ~ Bundesamt f. Eich- u. Vermessungswesen (1:50.000)
Useful guidebooks
Allgäuer Alpen und Ammergauer Alpen, Dieter Seibert ~ Bergverlag R. Rother, München (ISBN 3-7633-1126-3)
Picture gallery
Add your own pictures!
Comments
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.
Thorsten - 2022-09-13
Note that if you want to shorten this stage, you can rent a (non-electric) scooter at the Oytal hut, that will help you to make your way down faster.
POPEYE GG - 2019-02-03
Mercredi 27 juin 2018
Etape un peu longue, mais sans réelle difficulté, alpine jusqu'à Käseralpe. De là, chemin et route facilement accessibles aux vélos... électriques!
Obersdorf est un joli village aux maisons colorées. Nous y avons séjourné à l'hôtel Garni Kappeler Haus, quasiment en centre-ville (fabuleux petit-déjeuner).
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[Google]
Wednesday, June 27, 2018 Stage a little long, but without any real difficulty, alpine until Käseralpe. From there, road and road easily accessible to electric bicycles! Obersdorf is a pretty village with colorful houses. We stayed at the Garni Kappeler Haus, almost in the city center (fabulous breakfast).
SPYD - 2017-08-11
Pour cause de mauvais temps nous n'avons pas fait cette étape, mais nous avons dormi 2 nuits à Oberstorf. La première à l'auberge de jeunesse vraiment très bien et peu chère. Elle est à 2km du centre. La seconde nuit à l'hotel Sascha's Kachelofen, situé en plein centre d'Oberstdorf, un peu cher pour son confort "ancien", mais le meilleur et plus copieux petit déjeuner que nous ayons jamais eu !
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Due to bad weather we did not do this step, but we stayed 2 nights in Oberstorf. The first at the hostel really very good and inexpensive. It is 2km from the center. The second night at the hotel Sascha's Kachelofen, located in the center of Oberstdorf, a bit expensive for its "old" comfort, but the best and most generous breakfast we have ever had!
Oytal is National Park (Naturschutzgebiet), no camping allowed, frequently checked by rangers. Gutenalp is a very sympatic place, good prices and nice beer. The staff at Prinz Luitpold Haus was extremely friendly, it surprised me because it's such an huge hut. The care taker likes to support "extreme hikers", he gave me a coin for the 2-minute shower :-)
In Oberstdorf, go directly to the Tourist Office before 5PM, next to the train station. Finding accommodation can be problematic in this town. I was sent to Hotel-Garni Rex, Wenzeslausstr, next to the Kurpark. €60 B&B. In their pamphlet I read they would also have a cheaper 'Bergsteigerzimmer'. Just ask for that and see what happens.
Elisabeth - 2012-12-29
50e et dernière étape pour moi. Joli cheminement le long de la rivière jusqu'à Oberstdorf.
Un grand merci à la patronne d'Oytalhaus qui m'a servi mon dernier apfelstrudel avec plein de crème avant l'heure d'ouverture !
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50th and last stage for me. Nice path along the river to Oberstdorf. A big thank you to the owner of Oytalhaus who served me my last apple strudel with lots of cream before opening time!
Alpinisten - 2012-09-24
Die Roller ab dem Oytalhaus sind in der Tat der Hit! Man bekommt sie aber erst ab 15 Uhr.
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[Google]
The scooter from Oytalhaus are indeed a hit! You get it, but only from 15 clock.
Margy - 2012-02-07
26/6/11 Long easy hike today with several places to buy food along the way. The Rollers would be a great way to finish this trail!
Mountain Girl - 2011-10-27
At Oytalhaus--6 km before Oberstdorf-- they rent out "Rollers" (scooters) for 6 euros, allowing tired hikers to cruise down to Oberstdorf on a paved trail. It's a blast!
|
5h35 |
20.5 km
|
431 m
|
1449 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.