Winter Hiking

Winter circular hike on the Gottesacker

Gottesacker with panoramic route and Ifen ski area
Gottesacker circular route
Hahnenköpfle
Circular hiking route at Gottesacker

Factbox

Difficulty: mittel
Distance: 5.02 km
Ascent: 112 m
Descent: 200 m
Duration: 1.5 h
Deepest point: 1893 m
Highest point: 2016 m
Condition:

Experience:

Landscape:

  • Höhenprofil

    Winter circular hike over the Gottesacker with bizarre snow dunes and impressive views of the north faces of the Ifen.

    This winter hiking trail is the highest winter hiking trail in the Kleinwalsertal at about 2,000 meters altitude. The winter walk becomes a unique experience through the impressive perspective on the north faces of the Hoher Ifen as well as the bizarre shapes of the snow dunes in the karst landscape. The hiking trail can be reached by the Ifen cable car; from the Auenhütte at the Ifen valley station up the Ifen cable car to the mountain station. From there, a signposted, prepared panoramic circular route leads in the direction of the Gottesacker plateau. Shortly after starting on the hiking trail among numerous skiers from the Ifen cable car mountain station, one can enjoy the solitude of the Gottesacker. This probably best-known karst area in the Alps enchants in winter with the bizarre shapes of the snow dunes in the karst landscape.

    The circular hiking trail is prepared for a 5 km long hike and a 3 km long hike.

    Unique are the snow dunes shaped by the wind on the Gottesacker.

    Natur Erlebnis Karte, M 1:12.000; Tourenkarte Kleinwalsertal (mit Wanderführer), M 1:25.000; DAV-Wanderkarte, M 1:25.000; die jeweiligen Karten sind kostenpflichtig im Walserhaus Hirschegg erhältlich.

    Presented by: Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen
    Author: Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen

  • Difficulty: mittel
    Technique:

    Condition:

    Experience:

    Landscape:

    Altitude: 2016 m 1893 m Best season:
    JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN
    JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
    Safety instructions:

    EMERGENCY CALL:
    144 alpine emergencies Vorarlberg
    112 European emergency number (works with any mobile phone/network)

    Equipment:

    Sturdy footwear. Trekking poles recommended for steeper sections. Trekking poles recommended for steeper sections. Rainproof clothing and headgear if necessary.

    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?

  • Directions

    Ifen valley station – ascent with Ifen gondola – Ifen mountain station – hiking trail signage to the winter circular route – descent with Ifen gondola – Ifen valley station

    Start Hirschegg
    Coordinates:
    Geogr. 47.35668 N 10.10434 E
    Destination Hirschegg

    Waypoints

  • Public transportation:

    Starting point of the route: Walserbus line 5. Bus stop Ifen

    >>> Walserbus timetable

    Approach:

    Most routes from Germany converge in Ulm and continue on the A7. At the Allgäu motorway junction via the A980 section to the Waltenhofen exit and on the four-lane B19 via Sonthofen and Oberstdorf to the Kleinwalsertal. From Austria (Vorarlberg) and Switzerland, the Kleinwalsertal is reached via the Bregenzerwald (Hittisau) – Riedberg Pass – Fischen – Oberstdorf. Coming from Tyrol, the fastest route leads via the A7 to Kempten and further on the B19 towards Oberstdorf. No motorway vignette is required for driving into the valley.


    Route Planner

    Park:

    Paid parking spaces at the Ifen car park