Hiking Tips
Discover many different views of the Wildschönau Valley on 300km of well marked and well maintained walking paths.
The Wildschönau has walks for everyone. From the fairly easy valley and forest routes, walks over the high pastures to scree-scrambling on the highest peaks, you see a different aspect of this lovely valley.
Walking Tips
St Francis' Path
Between Niederau & Oberau is St Francis' Path where nine beautiful sculptures dedicated to the Songs of St Francis of Assisi are positioned. About half way along this path is the fascinating Z'Bach Farmers Museum with its popular craft fare every Thursday afternoon.
Schönanger Alm and Dairy
The Schönanger Alm lies at the end of the valley at the foot of the Wildschönau's highest mountain, the Grosser Beil. There are several lovely walks from this starting point and you can round off your trip with a visit to the show dairy to watch Johann Schipflinger making his prize-winning cheeses. Over 2000 litres of milk are produced and processed into cheese and butter here daily in the summer months.
Achental Alm
Starting from the Boarstadl mountain hut above Oberau you reach the Achental Alm at 1290m in about 30 minutes. This quaint little hut at the foot of the Kragenjoch mountain is a popular stop en route to the peak, which you can reach easily within another 30 minutes. The landlady personally prepares the house speciality of 'Schmalznudeln' a kind of fresh doughnut every Wednesday, otherwise there is always fresh milk, homecured ham or a cold beer served on the sunny terrace.
Marbachjoch Alm
The Markbachjochalm lies at a height of 1500m near the Gondola station in Niederau. Kids will love the small farm animals that wander around the hut. And adults will love the good hearty food and the fantastic views best enjoyed from a deck chair in the sun. A good hour's walk will take you to the Horler Stiege Chapel via the Käsealm (cheese farm). Or for a more demanding walk you can take a detour over the top of the Rosskopf Mountain.
Grosser Beil 2309m
Starting point is the Schönangeralm at the end of the valley.
Via the Kastensteig past the waterfall to the Gressenstein Alm- further on to the peak of the Grosser Beil. Rest stops at the Schönanger mountain hut or the Gressenstein hut.
Gratlspitz 1893m
Starting point is the village of Thierbach. The route takes you via the Holzalm farm to the Holzalm hut, from there it's uphill all the way to the Gradlspitz peak where the fantastic views are not only of the Wildschönau but also of the neighbouring Alpbach Valley. Rest stop possibilities: Holzalm, Klinglerhof.
Rosskopf 1731m
The Rosskopf is accessible either by the Markbachjoch lift in Niederau or via the Sonnberg in Oberau. You can take a circular route from the Markbachjoch over the Rosskopf Mountain and return via the Käsealm, stop for homemade bread and cheese with fresh butter milk. Other rest stops: Rosskopf hut, Markbachjoch hut.