With the snowshoes to the Karwendel

15 January 2021

Post originally written in: Deutsch

The Walderalm is actually widely known, but for most only in the warmer months of the year. In winter, however, offers a special experience of a snowshoe hike to one of my "Lieblingsplatzln" in the Karwendel.

It is a very special place where you can find the Walderalm. It is idyllically situated on a high plateau in front of the mighty mountains of the Karwendel and is also very easy to reach. In summer, you can reach it relatively easily and with little effort via a toll road and a short walk, but in winter you have to take a different route, as the approach via the Hinterhornalm in front is not possible due to the risk of avalanches.

So what is the best way to reach the starting point for the snowshoe hike?

OUTPUT

It is very easy to get to the starting point Gnadenwald, a village above Absam and Hall in Tyrol, by public transport from Innsbruck - either take the S-Bahn to Hall station and then bus line 3 or the bus (line 502) from Innsbruck main station and travel to the terminus Föhrenwald. From here you can either walk to the starting point in the hamlet of Kranzach or take bus line 3 again. For car drivers there is a paid parking lot. You will find it directly after the turn-off towards Fritzens on the right-hand side of the road.

WITH THE SNOWSHOES TO THE WALDERALM

Opposite the parking lot and the bus stop you will already find the signs to the Walderalm. The path is indicated with a good 1.5 hours. In winter, however, you can also plan for 2 hours. The hike is best done when the snow is fresh, because then you can easily use the snowshoes from the village.

Directly behind the houses it goes well signposted into the forest. Passing the sports field you reach the path to the Walderalm. A sign points to the Karwendel Nature Park. You now have a good 600 metres in altitude ahead of you. The path is partly very steep, then again pleasant to walk and leads in serpentines higher and higher above Gnadenwald. With fresh snow a true wintry wonderland offers itself. After 7 hairpin bends and great views of Innsbruck, you reach a small high plateau. Here it goes now leisurely up to a junction, which one takes, and so steeply to the Walderalm ascends, or one follows the way further in the direction of the west and over further hairpin bends until one comes on the high plateau of the Alm. I recommend taking one of the paths up and the other down, the order does not matter.

Here, above the timberline, the mountain world of the Karwendel opens up. On the left you can see the imposing Hundskopf. Shortly before you reach your destination, you will reach a shrine and the wonderful huts of the Walderalm in front of you with a breathtaking panorama. To the right of the alp on a small hill you can see the Maria Schutz Chapel - built in a modern design. The alp lies at 1,501 metres.

Normally the Alm is open on weekends in winter and offers regional delicacies and refreshments. Unfortunately, it is currently closed due to the Covid measures, which is why the terrace is also closed as a seating option. At the chapel, however, you will find two benches for a rest, as well as in front of the Marterl.

For the way back, one now takes the other way, so one has made a small circular walk. If you still want to, you can also go to the nearby Hinterhornalm with a great view of Innsbruck (about 20 minutes, signposted). Please take the way back from there and do not go down to Gnadenwald via the road (avalanche danger, closed!).