Ski tour
Ski tour from Baad to the Karlstor
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Höhenprofil
A nature-friendly route for experienced ski tourers between the Bärgunt and Gemstel Valleys.
The Karlstor is a notch between the small and large Widderstein.
Everything you want in a ski tour: With a bit more than 900 meters of ascent, the climb is sporty and demands fitness. The steep slopes promise great downhill fun under good & safe conditions.
Upon reaching the notch, a beautiful view awaits.
Baad is also popular with winter hikers in winter. Especially on the first section, a little more consideration for other winter sports enthusiasts is required during ascent or descent. Then there is enough space and natural enjoyment guaranteed for everyone.
Experiencing nature consciously stands for respectful coexistence among winter sports enthusiasts and towards nature. The described route takes into account the designated forest-wildlife protected areas in winter in the Bärgunt and Gemstel Valleys.
The ski tour should only be undertaken under absolutely safe conditions.
Alpenvereinskarte Bayerische Alpen - Kleinwalsertal, Hoher Ifen, Widderstein - BY 2
Presented by: Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen
Author: Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen -
Difficulty: schwer Condition: Experience: Landscape: Altitude: Best season: JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Safety instructions: Off secured pistes and trails, everyone is responsible for themselves and must inform themselves about alpine dangers, especially avalanche danger. Weather conditions and snow conditions may require changes in the route. For experienced ski tourers.
The given GPS track is only a suggestion. No liability can be assumed for the accuracy of the data.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS:
- 144 Alpine emergencies Vorarlberg
- 112 European emergency number (works with any mobile phone/network)
Equipment: Careful planning, study the avalanche report:(www.vorarlberg.at/web/land-vorarlberg/contentdetailseite/-/asset_publisher/qA6AJ38txu0k/content/lawinenwarndienst), for an avalanche emergency: avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe (standard), risk assessments on site always undertake, complete ski touring training.
More info & links: How do you consciously experience nature?
Nature is so much more than the backdrop for unforgettable mountain experiences. It is a habitat for animals and plants. It provides drinking water and supplies us with high quality food. Not only does it provide valuable raw materials such as wood, it also protects against avalanches and mudslides and regulates the climate. It is up to us to support nature in everything that it does for us. One thing is certain, together we can achieve more:
Smart in NATURE
CONSCIOUS together
EXPERIENCE foresight
Smart in NATURE
Take a deep breath and recharge your batteries, be outside and feel free. When we enjoy nature, we are guests in the living room of shy animals and rare plants. If you behave smart, they will be happy to share their living space with you in the future too.
Stay on paths and marked routes
If you follow the marked paths and routes, you are sure to come to new favorite places. In this way you also respect protected areas, because many animals and plants need special protection. Especially in winter, any disturbance unnecessarily costs the wild animals the strength they need to survive.
Avoiding twilight times
Standing on a mountain at sunrise is a special experience. The morning and evening hours are also the time when most wild animals are in search of food. If they are disturbed, they get stressed. If it cannot be avoided, please stay on the marked path, do not use a bright headlamp and enjoy the silence.
Stay clean & take rubbish with you
It goes without saying: You take rubbish with you again, on the mountain and in the valley. Please also organic waste, because it is composted much more slowly at altitude. You can dispose of the rubbish properly at home or in your accommodation – please remember that there are no rubbish bins in public spaces in Kleinwalsertal.
On the natural toilet
If you are looking for a quiet place, please be at least 50 m away from water. Bury excrement or cover it with a large stone. Use fallen leaves or recycled toilet paper and put the paper back in the trash bag.
On tour with a dog
Are you always in control of your four-legged partner, even if he gets his nose for marmots, deer or other wild animals? You are both on the safe side on a leash. Keep dogs on a short leash near grazing cattle. If an attack by a grazing animal is foreseeable: leash off immediately. There are numerous dog stations in the valley for the disposal of dog bags. The farmers and alpine farmers thank you because manure in meadows and fields contaminates the feed and makes grazing cattle sick.
CONSCIOUS to each other
Consideration for other athletes and those looking for relaxation
Everyone loves to enjoy a special piece of earth for themselves. But most of the time we are not traveling alone. No problem, because there is enough space. Allow time, open the way in an accommodating manner, provide support when someone needs help and always give a smile. So nothing stands in the way of friendly cooperation and relaxed enjoyment of nature.
Appreciating the preservation of the cultural landscape
Alpine landscapes are touching with their contrast: Imposing peaks and natural forests alternate with gentle valleys, well-tended meadows and pastures. In the Kleinwalsertal too, this delightful landscape at three altitudes is no coincidence, but the result of an interplay of natural and cultural landscapes. Behind this is the work of farmers, alpine and forestry as well as hunters. With their work, they ensure that the attractiveness of the recreation and leisure area and the diversity of species are preserved. We already say thank you if we stay on the marked trails and enjoy regional products.
EXPERIENCE farsighted
Safe on tour – for you and others
Whether on a ski or snowshoe tour in winter or on a mountain tour in summer, anyone who is out and about in alpine terrain has to be well prepared. This includes careful information and tour planning as well as the right equipment. Correctly assessing alpine dangers requires a lot of knowledge and experience. Why not learn from professionals and go on tour with one of the experienced guides?
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Directions
Ascent
The start of the route is in the mountain village of Baad, which can be easily reached by bus (Walserbus from Oberstdorf). Initially, we follow the winter hiking trail towards Bärgunt Valley until a fork. There, we keep left and continue on the “Brunnenweg” (not gritted). After about 15 minutes, we reach the Alpe Widderstein (not operated in winter); here we turn left onto the meadow. We cross the meadow steeply uphill until we reach the v-shaped stream bed, which leads us straight towards the small Widderstein. After a short section of forest, we reach a steep open slope, which we ascend to the right, thus being under the north face of the great Widderstein. At the end of the approx. 600 meters altitude slope (about 40 degrees steep), the terrain flattens a bit; we keep left and arrive at the Karlstor. Now we stand between the small and great Widderstein with a magnificent view down into the Gemstel Valley.
Descent, same as the ascent route to Bärgunt Valley or for practiced and experienced ski tourers to Gemstel Valley
After overcoming the notch/ledge (caution advised here!), we enjoy the long descent into Gemstel Valley. Towards the end, we keep slightly left and reach the summer hiking trail (not groomed in winter) directly past Bernhard’s Gemstelalp. From here, the summer hiking trail descends into the Gemstelboden directly onto the Steinbock cross-country trail – please be considerate of the cross-country skiers here. At the bottom, we follow the road to the Gemse bus stop – Line 1.
Start Baad
Coordinates:
Geogr. 47.30914 N 10.121139 EDestination Mittelberg Waypoints
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Public transportation:
Just leave your car behind!
Take the train to Oberstdorf. Directly opposite the station, the Walserbus goes towards Kleinwalsertal. Line 1 takes you directly to Baad.
Approach:
If arriving by car, form car pools.
Most routes from Germany converge in Ulm and continue on the A7. At the Allgäu motorway junction, use the section of the A980 to the Waltenhofen exit and then the four-lane B19 via Sonthofen and Oberstdorf into the Kleinwalsertal.
From Austria (Vorarlberg) and Switzerland, you can reach Kleinwalsertal via the Bregenzerwald (Hittisau) – Riedberg Pass – Fischen – Oberstdorf.
Coming from Tirol, the fastest way is via the A7 to Kempten and further on the B19 towards Oberstdorf. No motorway vignette is required for the drive into the valley.
Route PlannerPark:
Paid parking spaces are located near the starting point.
Parking along the state road is not permitted.