Wrapped in gold: Autumn on the Mieminger Plateau

"Burning larches." This natural spectacle takes place at the beginning of November. This is when the larches swap their airy green summer garb for a radiant golden wedding robe. Year after year, it is a rare spectacle of color that envelops an entire region in a delicate golden veil. A walk on the Mieminger Plateau through the autumnal larch forests is certainly one of the most impressive experiences in the great outdoors.

It's as if nature wants to reach one last grandiose climax. At the foot of the majestic Mieminger Kette, the larches between the Holzleitensattel and Affenhausen put on a unique spectacle for a short time before they drop their needles and the black and white winter sets in.

Arrival and departure by public transport

There are two ways to complete a truly wonderful tour: either by mountain bike or on foot. The starting point is the Holzleitensattel. Both options are equally attractive. Cyclists can even do a circular tour, the so-called 'Obsteiger Runde'. You can find a description of the bike tour HERE.

The Goldwälder are easily accessible by public transport. The Holzleitensattel, the transition from the Mieminger Plateau to Nassereith, is easily accessible by bus even from Innsbruck and Telfs. It is also permitted to take bikes on the bus. The return journey by public transport is also no problem. Information can be found in the VVT timetable.

The hike from Holzleitensattel to Obsteig then leads through some small, dreamy hamlets, each with an autumnal color and golden frame. First you follow the path to Aschland, past a rarely large juniper tree. After crossing the Marienbergbach stream, you reach the Rochuskapelle chapel, with a magnificent mountain backdrop of the Mieminger chain on one side and the peaks of the Lechtal Alps on the other.

From the dreamy hamlet of Weisland, the most spectacular views of the hike open up. On the one hand, the mountains of the Stubai Alps, which rise to the south of the Inn Valley. On the other, the gold of the larch forests, which now dominate the view. In fine weather, they form a fascinating contrast to the deep blue sky. By the way: the plateau at Arzkasten is a fantastic and very a fantastic and very popular cross-country skiing area in winter.

From Aschland, it is best to take the road via Weisland to Arzkasten. I love collecting edibles during my hikes. So my tip: take a cloth bag and gloves with you on this hike, as the path is lined with juniper bushes. The Mieminger Plateau is also famous among foragers for this reason. Once the berries have survived a frost, they become slightly sweet and are ideal for seasoning sauces. Why gloves, curious readers will ask. They are to protect against the prickly needles of the 'Kranebitt' shrubs. The fact that not all bushes bear berries in the fall still needs to be clarified: There are female and male juniper bushes. And after pollination, it takes two years for the berries to ripen. It also depends on the weather conditions as to whether the fruits ripen. I have published suggestions for the optimal use of juniper berries on my private blog on my private blog.

The former hay barns, made of wood, are picturesque. They were built by the farmers to store the hay temporarily. Only when the hay in the yard ran out during the winter would the mountain hay be taken out of the barns on sledges. The ability to bale hay has made this old tradition obsolete.

Speaking of sledges: the last section from Arzkasten to Obsteig is not only unique in the fall. In winter, provided there is a blanket of snow, this route is a unique natural toboggan run.

This hike of around twelve kilometers is perfect for families. Leading slightly downhill, you should allow around four hours. A perfect day tour through the colorful splendor of autumn. And those who love old Tyrolean coziness for a festive finale will find what they are looking for in Obsteig.

On reaching the village center, you will also reach the 'Stern' inn, which has been in the family for more than 500 years. A house that has undergone a transformation that is not only unique in Austria. The "Family country hotel Stern" is Austria's first truly climate-neutral hotel. It's no wonder that the German GEO magazine included the Stern in its prestigious list of the "Top 100 Hotels in Europe" included. So it's only logical that the hotel's cuisine has been awarded a toque by Gault-Millau. I have presented the hotel in detail in my Blog in detail.

It's just as well that the bus stop for public transport is barely a stone's throw away from Stern.

Arrival and departure to the Holzleitensattel: the VVT timetable

The Obsteig tour by mountain bike can be found HERE bwritten.

To the inn and Landhotel Stern