Hiking (mountain trail, in places narrow and exposed)
Alpine route (equipped or very exposed section, snow field, blocks)
R52
Mindelheimerhütte » Schröcken
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4h30 |
18.7 km
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322 m
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1072 m
The last stretch of the Allgäu Alps is also one of the most beautiful. It offers spectacular views over the main Allgäu ridge, from the Trettachspitze to the Biberkopf peak, the wildly romantic Koblat and the most striking Allgäu peak, the Widderstein.
From the Mindelheimer Hut, head at a leisurely pace up and down along the eastern side of the Liechelkopf and the Geißhorn to the Koblat, a mountain ridge between the Kleinwalsertal valley and the Tannberg mountain close to the German-Austrian border. Walk over this high ridge to reach the Gemstel pass at 1,971m and the Widderstein Hut right at the foot of the massive Widderstein (2,009m, Mindelheimer Hut – Widderstein Hut 3h 30min). At the refuge, follow the signs down to Hochkrummbach at the Hochtannberg Pass (1,676m), where you will reach the road close to the top of the pass. Follow it only for a short while until the turnoff of a walking path, which leads to the West of the Kalbelesee lake towards the mountain. After just a 20-minute climb, you will reach a pass at which the charming hollow of the Körbersee can be seen in front. (Hochkrumbach – Körbersee 1h 15min). On the western banks of the lake, walk further along a footpath over a low crest into the Hochtal valley of the Auenfeld meadowland, where you will come onto a roadway. Now walk for a while along the young Bregenzerach river to the Batzenalpe (1,560m) and further downward to Schröcken (1,269m, Körbersee – Schröcken 1h 15min). From Schröcken, follow the Hochtann mountain road for a short while before coming to a merchant trail that leads to the Batzenalpe mountain and the lovely Körbersee lake. (Christina Schwann, OeAV)
Natural and cultural heritage
The 1,972m high mountain trail over the Gemstel pass to Hochtannberg was a much frequented connection with the Kleinwalsertal valley even in the Middle Ages. The trail over the Koblat ridge repeatedly offers views into this northernmost and most secluded Walser locality. Hochkrumbach – formerly called Krumbach – is the smallest but most central town in the Walser Tannberg region. Krumbach was first mentioned as a settlement zone in 1453. The settlement of the pass hollow at between 1,600 and 1,700m in altitude took place at a time when the slopes were to a large extent covered in forest. However, the high demand for wood in this permanent settlement amid the snow led to progressive deforestation, and thus the situation had become difficult due to wood shortages even by the 18th century. In one particularly severe winter, the firewood stocks ran low very early and it is recorded that the town priest even burned the church pews so as not to freeze to death. In about 1856, the number of people living there had fallen to 20 and even the priest had left the hostile town. In 1885, the mountain community was finally entirely abandoned. It was only in the middle of the 20th century that new life was breathed back into the place. Today, Hochtannberg can offer an extensive and highly varied skiing area and has firmly established itself as a popular holiday and excursion destination. The Hochtannberg pass represents the continental watershed between the Rhine and Donau regions. The landscape offers contrast with varying rock types and a very charming variation in forms of terrain. For while the sheer rock faces of the limestone and main dolomite Widderstein, Braunarlspitze and Juppenspitze peaks – to name but a few – tower up steeply into the heavens, troughs and green grassy slopes occur in the areas of the more easily weathered marl. The Körbersee and Kalbelesee lakes are deemed to be the most photogenic enrichments of the landscape, as is the little Simmel peak with the St. Jakob chapel in Hochkrummbach. However, this area is also treasured by botanists due to its diverse plant world with the most varied and sometimes still vast alpine biotopes highly deserving protection. The Schröcken locality was already populated in the 14th century. By the 17th century, the population had grown to over 200 people, one third of whom lived in extreme conditions between 1,500 and 1,700m in altitude. These mountains have long since been abandoned. Today, the community of Schröcken is a popular winter holiday destination, which was made possible above all by the extension of the access road, safe for travel in winter. (Christina Schwann, OeAV)
Other long-distance trails and alternative routes
From the Mindelheimer Hut, head to the Koblat-Sattel pass (1,950m, national border) and along a mountain trail through the alpine pastureland to the panoramic summit of the Tschirggen (1,760m). From there, a goods trail takes you through the sunny meadowland to the little pass settlement of Hochkrummbach.
Useful topographic maps
Wanderschönes Feldkirch ~ Amt der Stadt Feldkirch (1:25.000)
Wandern in Vorarlberg - Walgau-Sonnenseite ~ Amt der Vorarlberger Landesregierung (1:40.000)
Wanderkarte Biosphärenpark Großes Walsertal ~ Tourismusvereine u. Gem. des Großen Walsertales (1:40.000)
Nr. 3, Allgäuer Alpen, Kleinwalsertal ~ Kompass (1:50.000)
WK 364 Bregenzerwald ~ Freytag&Berndt (1:50.000)
ÖK 50 113 ~ Bundesamt f. Eich- u. Vermessungswesen (1:50.000)
Useful guidebooks
Titel, Autor ~ Verlag (ISBN ISBN)
Großes Walsertal ~ Rother (ISBN )
Der Große Walserweg ~ Geocenter Medienservice Stuttgart (ISBN 3-930187-00-0)
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.
POPEYE GG - 2019-02-03
Vendredi 29 juin 2018
Fabuleuse étape bien ensoleillée (après la grisaille de la veille), d'autant plus qu'on a commencé par gravir aller-retour la Kemtnerscharte (2100m) à 15mn du refuge, d'où on a une vue plongeante sur la vallée voisine, et où nous avons eu la chance d'admirer tout près un troupeau de bouquetins.
Hébergement à la pension Angelika à Oberboden, à la sortie de Schröcken.
Automatic translation
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Friday, June 29, 2018 Fabulous sunny stage (after the greyness of the day before), especially since we started by climbing the Kemtnerscharte (2100m) to 15 minutes from the refuge, from where we have a bird's eye view the neighboring valley, and where we had the chance to admire a flock of ibex nearby. Accommodation at Pension Angelika in Oberboden, at the exit of Schröcken.
Very very muddy path from Mindelheimer Hütte towards the road down. Hotel Körbersee had no problem with camping, I could put up my tent near the Seilbahn. Super friendly staff and good WiFi!
From Ober-Überlutalpe to Buchboden there is a short-cut, which will save you from walking down the zig-zagging motorway going down. May be slippery when wet. It is not on the GPS track, but the way is sign-posted -with beautiful Via-Alpina logos! You can't miss it.
In Buchboden there are just 3 places to stay: Gasthof Kreuz, Pension Jäger and Haus Schönacher. The latter is the first white house in the village. Everything was full, but when I called at Schönacher, the very friendly lady let me in a room that was originally closed for cleaning. €40 B&B. There is a reading table with books about local history and culture.
tof - 2014-12-27
Trieste-Monaco le 10/8/14
Du refuge à Widdersteinhutte, iténéraire sans trop de repères géographiques sur plateau. Restez concentré sur le balisage.
Au col, passer par le parking et une cabane pourra vous ravitailler en eau. Possibilité de petits ravitaillements (bons yaourts).
En direction de Kobersee, beaucoup de choix pour installer un bivouac.
A Schrocken, ravitaillement en eau et toilettes dsiponibles à lamairie/office du tourisme. Epicerie pour ravitaillement ouverte le matin (remonter un peu la route en direction du col).
Automatic translation
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Trieste-Monaco on 10/08/14 to the refuge Widdersteinhutte, iténéraire without much landmarks on board. Stay focused on the markup. At the pass, go through the parking lot and a cabin can refuel water. Possibility of small supplies (good yogurt). Towards Kobersee, many choices to install a bivouac. A Schrocken, water supplies and toilets dsiponibles lamairie / tourist office. Open grocery supplies for the morning (up the road a bit toward the neck).
Monaco - Trieste
Batzenalpe has a Alpenmuseum, food available, Hotel @ Korbersee, restaurant at Hochtannbergpass (by the road), Korbalpe chapel make a great bivouac location
Widdersteinhütte has the highest water price of the all Via Alpina, been asked 2,5euros for 0.5L of sparkling water
Margy - 2012-02-09
28/6/11 Angelika Pension in Schrocken is nice with good meals and large comfortable rooms.
Instead of staying at Schroecken if you come from the Mindelheimer hut and due to the very expensive accomodations at Schroecken, I suggest to continue to the Biberacher hut along the next day etap. Only 3 more hours to go! They offer good food and also have a better mountain view!
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4h30 |
18.7 km
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322 m
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1072 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.