Achensee

The Rofanspitze (2259m). From Maurach at the southern end of the lake we take the Rofan cable car to the Erfurter mountain hut at 1834m. From here we walk through a magnificent open high-level valley, rising gradually to the peak of the Rofanspitze. The walk is undemanding but the panoramic views all the way along are sensational. The panorama from the grassy approach ridge and from the summit itself is out of this world – craggy peaks, tranquil lakes and across the Inn Valley, you can even see the glaciers in the Zillertal. We return broadly the same way, but there are several detours which make the walk slightly different. Either on this walk or the one to the Dalfazalm it is worth at the end putting in the 1 ½ hour detour to the Gschöllkopf, a peak just above the Erfurter Hut. From the summit there is a 360º view, and you can watch intrepid souls taking the Skyglider down to the hut.

Over the Kögeljoch. We take the local bus to Steinberg am Rofan, a village hemmed in by the mountains. Our path takes us initially through alpine woods, then into more open woodland before we reach the Schönjochalm. We reach our highest point at the collection of rustic huts at the Köglalm, from where there are glorious views of the turquoise lake below and the dramatic mountains rising from its western shore.  From here we descend, steeply at times, to the northern end of the Achensee.

Above the Dalfazalm. The calming meadows above the Dalfazalm are rich in colourful flowers for much of the summer. Today we are accompanied by local flower and herb expert, Mischa, who knows the area like the back of her hand. From the top station of the Rofan cable car we follow a panoramic path to the Dalfazalm mountain meadow. Ascending from here along the Gentian Path we explore the open meadows in remote dramatic mountain scenery close to the rocky gateway in the mountains known as the Steinernes Tor. On the way back we call into the mountain café at the Dalfazalm which has its own farm.

The Feilkopf & Gerntal Meadows. The Feilkopf is the lowest peak in the area; from the summit there are excellent panoramic views over the southern end of the Achensee. We start by walking up the Gern valley from Pertisau, then follow a narrow path which enters open woodland and finally alpine pasture higher up. The ascent to the grassy summit of the Feilkopf at 1562m is along an easy track. We then drop down to the idyllically located mountain café at the Feilalm before returning along a meandering forest track and then through the meadows and woodland of the Gern valley, passing farms at the Pletzachalm and Sennalm on the way, to Pertisau.

Around the Bärenkopf. The Bärenkopf is the dramatic mountain which dominates the southern end of the Achensee. The summit is beyond the grade, but there are views just as good, if not better, on the lower paths which we follow. Our walk starts and ends at the top cable car station of the Karwendellift above Pertisau. An easy path takes us to the mountain café at the Bärenbadalm. From here we ascend steeply, mostly through open alpine woodland, with plenty of places to stop and admire the panoramic views, to a ridge at just under 1900m. We descend this beautiful broad grassy ridge with classic views to the north of the Achensee, with the option for an afternoon break at the Weißenbachalm mountain restaurant.

The Rofanspitze (2259m). From Maurach at the southern end of the lake we take the Rofan cable car to the Erfurter mountain hut at 1834m. From here a walk through a magnificent open high level valley, rising gradually to the peak of the Rofanspitze. The walk is undemanding but the views all the way along are sensational. The peak itself isn’t for those with no head for heights (and you can stop just before the summit) as there is a steep drop on one side; the views, however, are stunning – peaks, lakes and across the Inn Valley you can even see the glaciers in the Zillertal. We return broadly the same way, but there are several paths which make the walk slightly different. It is worth at the end putting in the 1 ½ hour detour to the Gschöllkopf (2039m), a peak just overlooking the Erfurter Hut. From the summit there is a 360º view, and you can watch intrepid souls taking the Skyglider down to the hut. 

The Bärenkopf (1991m). The Bärenkopf is the mountain which dominates the southern end of the Achensee. The views back across the Achensee from various points on the walk are the most famous ones in the area. Our walk starts and ends at the top cable car station above Pertisau. An easy path takes us to the mountain café at the Bärenbadalm. From here we ascend steeply, mostly through open woodland, with plenty of places to stop and admire the views, to a ridge at just under 1900m. From here there is some light scrambling before the easy final ascent to the summit. The views from the top, over the Achensee, the Karwendel mountains to the west and the Rofan range to the east are magnificent. Returning the same way for a short distance we descend a beautiful broad grassy ridge with classic views to the north of the Achensee, with the option for lunch or an afternoon break at the Weißenbachalm mountain restaurant. 

The Feilkopf & Gerntal Meadows. The Feilkopf is the lowest peak in the area; from the summit there are excellent panoramic views over the southern end of the Achensee. We start by walking up the Gern valley from Pertisau, then follow a narrow path which enters open woodland higher up. The ascent to the grassy summit of the Feilkopf at 1562m is along an easy track. Now continuing up we arrive at the idyllic Gütenbergalm meadow, the perfect place for lunch. There is now a steep zig-zag descent down the other side of the ridge through woods  to the Gern valley. From here we follow paths through the meadows and woodland of the Gern valley, passing farms at the Gernalm, Pletzachalm and Sennalm on the way, to Pertisau.

Alms & Huts. Today we explore the summer pastures (‘Almen’) and mountain huts to the north west of the hotel. We start with a steep climb through forest, past the small farm at the Bründlalm to the Jochalm hut, owned by our hotel. From here we continue to the idyllically situated Seewaldhütte, set amidst open woodland. We then traverse across the open hillside with far-reaching views to the Kleinzemmalm. From here we head down to meet a forest track which takes us back to the hotel, towards the end following the Unteraubach river. This track follows what is known as the Tirolean Stone-Oil Experience path. Stone oil has been ‘mined’ in the area since 1902 and has all sorts of health-giving properties. 

The Dalfazalm & the Steinernes Tor. This walk takes us into wild country outside the most popular routes. Taking the Rofan lift again to the Erfurter Hut we follow the excellent panorama path to the hut at the Dalfazalm, probably the mountain restaurant with the best view in the area. We climb from here through increasingly wild meadows to the Steinernes Tor, a narrow pass between two great rocky outcrops. From here there is a main gradual descent through high mountain pasture then woods to the Köglalm. Then follows a choice of descents to the Achensee lake, either along broad forest tracks or steeper woodland paths.

The Rofanspitze (Grade 6). From Maurach at the southern end of the lake we take the Rofan cable car to the Erfurter mountain hut at 1834m. From here a walk through a magnificent open high level valley, rising gradually to the dramatic peak of the Rofanspitze (2259m). The walk is undemanding but the alpine views all the way along are sensational. The peak itself isn’t for those with no head for heights (and you can stop just before the summit) as there is a steep drop on one side; the views, however, are stunning – craggy peaks, tranquil lakes and across the Inn Valley you can even see the glaciers in the Zillertal. We return broadly the same way, but there are several paths which make the walk slightly different. It is worth at the end putting in the 1 ½ hour detour to the Gschöllkopf (2039m), a peak just overlooking the Erfurter Hut. From the summit there is a 360º view, and you can watch intrepid souls taking the Skyglider down to the hut.

Around the Bärenkopf (Grade 6). The Bärenkopf (1991m) is the mountain which dominates the southern end of the Achensee. The views back across the Achensee from various points on the walk are the most famous and picturesque ones in the area. Our walk starts and ends at the top cable car station above Pertisau. An easy path takes us to the mountain café at the Bärenbadalm. From here we ascend steeply, mostly through open woodland, with plenty of places to stop and admire the panoramic views, to a ridge at just under 1900m. From here there is some light scrambling before the easy final ascent to the summit. The views from the top, over the Achensee, the Karwendel mountains to the west and the Rofan range to the east are magnificent. Returning the same way for a short distance we descend a beautiful broad grassy ridge with classic views to the north of the Achensee, with the option for lunch or an afternoon break at the Weißenbachalm mountain restaurant.

The Feilkopf & Gerntal Meadows (Grade 6). The Feilkopf is the lowest peak in the area; from the summit there are excellent panoramic views over the southern end of the Achensee. We start by walking up the Gern valley from Pertisau, then follow a narrow path which enters open woodland higher up. The ascent to the grassy summit of the Feilkopf at 1562m is along an easy track. Now continuing up we arrive at the idyllic Gütenbergalm meadow, the perfect place for lunch. There is now a steep zig-zag descent down the other side of the ridge through woods  to the Gern valley. From here we follow paths through the meadows and woodland of the Gern valley, passing farms at the Gernalm, Pletzachalm and Sennalm on the way, to Pertisau.

Alms & Huts (Grade 6). Today we explore the summer pastures (‘Almen’) and mountain huts to the north west of the hotel. We start with a steep climb through alpine forest, past the small farm at the Bründlalm to the Jochalm hut, owned by our hotel. From here we continue to the idyllically situated Seewaldhütte, set amidst open woodland. We then traverse across the open hillside with far-reaching views to the Kleinzemmalm. From here we head down to meet a forest track which takes us back to the hotel, towards the end following the tranquil Unteraubach river. This track follows what is known as the Tirolean Stone-Oil Experience path. Stone oil has been ‘mined’ in the area since 1902 and has all sorts of health-giving properties.

The Dalfazalm & the Steinernes Tor (Grade 6). This walk takes us into wild country outside the most popular routes. Taking the Rofan lift again to the Erfurter Hut we follow the excellent panorama path to the hut at the Dalfazalm, probably the mountain restaurant with the best view in the area. We climb from here through increasingly wild meadows to the Steinernes Tor, a narrow pass between two great rocky outcrops. From here there is a gradual descent through high mountain pasture then woods to the Köglalm. Then follows a choice of descents to the Achensee lake, either along broad forest tracks or steeper woodland paths.

The Hochplatte (Grade 8) This is a grassy summit (1813m) to the north west of our hotel and the turquoise lake and makes a fantastic day destination. We ascend directly from the hotel through dense woodland to the Seewald Hut. From here to the summit we pass through calm green meadows with panoramic views back to the Achensee. Early to mid-summer the meadows are rich in wild flowers. Returning to the Seewald Hut we traverse across the grassy hillside to the Kleinzemmalm, then follow a forest trail through the picturesque Unterau valley back to the hotel.

Rofanspitze & the Vorderes Sonnwendjoch (Grade 8) This is a magnificent circuit taking in some of the best views of the week. We start at the Rofan cable car top station. A steady easy ascent brings us to the Rofanspitze (2259m) - the panorama from the grassy approach ridge and from the summit itself is out of this world – dramatic peaks, turquoise calm lakes and across the Inn Valley you can even see the glaciers in the Zillertal. From here we take head towards the Sagzahn taking the rocky traverse around the peak, before walking the length of the magnificent grassy ridge to the Sonnwendjoch (2224m). A steep descent to the Schermsteinalm is followed by a steep ascent to the Krahnsattel, from where it is a short distance back to the Erfurter Hut.

Stanserjoch & Bärenkopf (Grade 8) Today we walk in the dramatic Karwendel Mountains. From the top of the Karwendel lift we climb steadily to the Weißenbach saddle, then more steeply to the Stanserjoch Ridge (2102m). The summit affords a great view back over the Achensee, deep into the Karwendel mountains, and up and down the rolling Inn Valley. Back down at the saddle we ascend the broad ridge towards the Bärenkopf (1991m), with the odd easy scramble on the way to the summit. The panoramic views along the entire length of the Achensee are memorising. A steep descent with mainly open views brings us to the Bärenbadalm for refreshments, before we descend back down to the valley.

Vorderunnütz (Grade 8) The Unnütz ridge (2078m) soars above the village of Achenkirch; this walk goes to the southernmost and highest of the three peaks. We take the local bus round to Steinberg, then climb along good woodland tracks to around 1500m. From here to the summit the terrain is rougher, but with excellent open panoramic views. From the summit we drop down the ridge south for refreshments at the Köglalm, from where there is a sharp descent back to the northern end of the Achensee.

Gschöllkopf & Hochiss (Grade 8) Returning to the top station of the Rofan cable car we start with the straightforward ascent of the Gschöllkopf (2299m) from where there are excellent views down over the calm lake, back into the Rofan mountains and west into the Karwendel mountains. Returning a short way we start the ascent of the Hochiss (2299m). Easy at first, the path becomes steep and eroded, but the dramatic views from the grassy peak makes it all worthwhile. You can see as far at the glaciers of the Ziller and Oetz valleys. Shortly after the descent starts we scramble down the rake known locally as the ‘Rotes Klamml’, then it’s a straightforward descent through wild terrain to the hut at the Dalfazalm. We continue steadily down with panoramic views of the lake, over the Durraalm to Maurach.

The Rofanspitze (2259m). From Maurach at the southern end of the lake we take the Rofan cable car to the Erfurter mountain hut at 1834m. From here we walk through a magnificent open high-level valley, rising gradually to the peak of the Rofanspitze. The walk is undemanding but the views all the way along are sensational. The panorama from the grassy approach ridge and from the summit itself is out of this world – peaks, lakes and across the Inn Valley you can even see the glaciers in the Zillertal. We return broadly the same way, but there are several detours which make the walk slightly different. Either on this walk or the one to the Dalfazalm it is worth at the end putting in the 1 ½ hour detour to the Gschöllkopf, a peak just above the Erfurter Hut. From the summit there is a 360º view, and you can watch intrepid souls taking the Skyglider down to the hut. 

Over the Kögeljoch. We take the local bus to Steinberg am Rofan, a village hemmed in by the mountains. Our path takes us initially through woods, then into more open woodland before we reach the Schönjochalm. We reach our highest point at the collection of rustic huts at the Köglalm, from where there are glorious views of the lake below and the mountains rising from its western shore.  From here we descend, steeply at times, to the northern end of the Achensee.

Above the Dalfazalm. The meadows above the Dalfazalm are rich in flowers for much of the summer. From the top station of the Rofan cable car we follow a panoramic path to the Dalfazalm mountain meadow. Ascending from here along the Gentian Path we explore the open meadows in remote mountain scenery close to the rocky gateway in the mountains known as the Steinernes Tor. On the way back we call into the mountain café at the Dalfazalm which has its own farm.

The Feilkopf & Gerntal Meadows. The Feilkopf is the lowest peak in the area; from the summit there are excellent panoramic views over the southern end of the Achensee. We start by walking up the Gern valley from Pertisau, then follow a narrow path which enters open woodland and finally alpine pasture higher up. The ascent to the grassy summit of the Feilkopf at 1562m is along an easy track. We then drop down to the idyllically located mountain café at the Feilalm before returning along a forest track and then through the meadows and woodland of the Gern valley, passing farms at the Pletzachalm and Sennalm on the way, to Pertisau.

Around the Bärenkopf. The Bärenkopf is the mountain which dominates the southern end of the Achensee. The summit is beyond the grade, but there are views just as good, if not better, on the lower paths which we follow. Our walk starts and ends at the top cable car station of the Karwendellift above Pertisau. An easy path takes us to the mountain café at the Bärenbadalm. From here we ascend steeply, mostly through open woodland, with plenty of places to stop and admire the views, to a ridge at just under 1900m. We descend this beautiful broad grassy ridge with classic views to the north of the Achensee, with the option for an afternoon break at the Weißenbachalm mountain restaurant.