Ski tour
Ski tour from Höfle to the Kuhgehrenspitze
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Höhenprofil
An environmentally friendly route for experienced ski tourers in the Wildental.
Simple and popular pleasure route from the village of Höfle to the Kuhgehrenspitze. A rewarding ski touring destination with beautiful wide meadow slopes, interrupted twice by forest strips.
From the summit you can enjoy the great view of the striking neighbouring peaks and the entire valley. And in the end, you are rewarded with a great descent.
Höfle is also popular in winter with winter hikers. Especially on the first section up to the first ascent at Nebenwasser, a little more consideration for other winter sports enthusiasts is requested on ascent and descent. Then there is enough space and enjoyment of nature for everyone.
Natur bewusst erleben stands for respectful coexistence among winter sports enthusiasts and towards nature. The described route takes into account the forest-wildlife conservation areas designated in Kleinwalsertal.
Alpenvereinskarte Bayerische Alpen - Kleinwalsertal, Hoher Ifen, Widderstein - BY 2
Presented by: Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen
Author: Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen -
Difficulty: leicht Condition: Experience: Landscape: Altitude: Best season: JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Safety instructions: Outside of secured slopes and paths, everyone is personally responsible and at their own risk and must inform themselves about alpine dangers, especially avalanche danger. Weather conditions and snow conditions may require changes to the route.
The stated GPS track is only a suggestion. No liability can be accepted for the accuracy of the information.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS:
- 144 Alpine emergencies Vorarlberg
- 112 Euro emergency call (works with any mobile phone/network)
Equipment: Careful planning, study the avalanche report: (https://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 Höfle at the Wildental lift (line 4 – terminus “Höfle”), which can be easily reached by bus (Walserbus from Oberstdorf). First, we follow the slope of the Wildental lift to the middle exit. There we keep left and follow the winter hiking trail towards Nebenwasser. Soon we reach a wooded ridge above a large creek gorge. Up the ridge it goes on a narrow, steep path until we reach a flatter, wide forest glade and discover the Brandalpe (1,306 m) on our left. From here, we largely follow the course of the summer path, over the clearings and through the gaps in the forest. After the second forest section, we see on the right on a free ridge the Outer Kuhgehren-Alpe (1,625 m). We continue following the path towards the alp, then keep slightly right and wind our way through some groups of trees higher up. Over a narrow plank bridge across a creek, we reach a free, tiered slope that descends from the connecting ridge Schüsser/Hammerspitze and Kuhgehrenspitze. We continue up the slope briefly and turn left (north), where we soon reach the summit via a moderately steep forest clearing.
Ascent
The easier descent is along the ascent route to the Brandalpe. In the light forest we look for a path near the ascent track to avoid damaging young forest/wood. Upon reaching the Brandalpe, you can turn right at the sign (“Caution cable car”) and descend through a forest clearing over wonderful skiing terrain.
Start Mittelberg
Coordinates:
Geogr. 47.328705 N 10.167493 EDestination Mittelberg Waypoints
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Public transportation:
Simply leave your car behind!
By train to Oberstdorf. Directly opposite the station the Walserbus drives towards Kleinwalsertal. Take line 1 to the stop Bödmen, there change to line 4 “Höfle” and get off at the stop “Höfle – terminus”.
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, take part of the A980 to the Waltenhofen exit and on the four-lane B19 via Sonthofen and Oberstdorf into Kleinwalsertal.
From Austria (Vorarlberg) and Switzerland, you reach Kleinwalsertal via the Bregenz Forest (Hittisau) – Riedberg Pass – Fischen – Oberstdorf.
Coming from Tyrol, the fastest route leads via the A7 to Kempten and then on the B19 towards Oberstdorf. You do not need a motorway vignette 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.