Ski tour
Ski tour from the Ifen car park to the Hählekopf
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Höhenprofil
An environmentally friendly route for experienced ski tourers in the Schwarzwassertal.
The Hählekopf, at 2058 meters, marks the western “end” of the Schwarzwassertal and is a fantastic ski tour. The broad mountain delights ski tourers with its ideally inclined slopes.
Despite the nearby ski area at Ifen, you hardly notice this in the Schwarzwassertal and immerse yourself in the tranquility of winter. Reaching the summit, a wonderful view over the Kleinwalsertal, to the Diedamskopf, Ifen, and Grünhorn awaits. And finally, you are rewarded with a great descent.
The Schwarzwassertal is also popular with winter hikers in winter. Especially on the first section just before the Alpe Melköde, more consideration is requested during ascent and descent for other winter sports enthusiasts. Then there is enough space and enjoyment of nature for everyone.
Conscious nature experience stands for respectful coexistence among winter sports enthusiasts and towards nature. The described route respects the designated forest-wildlife protection areas and wildlife quiet zones in the Schwarzwassertal.
Due to the longer approach through the initially flat Schwarzwassertal, an overnight stay at the Schwarzwasserhütte is recommended. Important information for tour planning: The Schwarzwasserhütte is expected to be closed due to renovation measures until summer 2027.
Alpenvereinskarte Bayerische Alpen - Kleinwalsertal, Hoher Ifen, Widderstein - BY 2
Presented by: Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen
Author: Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen -
Difficulty: mittel Condition: Experience: Landscape: Altitude: Best season: JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Safety instructions: Off secured pistes and paths, everyone is personally responsible and at their own risk and must inform themselves about alpine hazards, especially avalanche danger. Weather conditions and snow conditions may require changes in the route.
The given 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 (works with any mobile phone/network)
Important information for tour planning: The Schwarzwasserhütte is expected to be closed due to renovation measures until summer 2027.
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 route starts at the Ifen car park – Schwarzwassertal, which can be easily reached by bus (see “Arrival”). First, we follow the forest road along the Schwarzwasserbach, following the winter hiking trail, until the Galtööde is in sight and the Alpe Melköde. After the sign with information about the wildlife protection area (please observe), we climb the open slope on the right (avalanche track from the right) and turn left into the small clearing at the narrowing of the open area (signposting). We follow the best path through the forest clearing and climb straight up the beginning open area to the Ifersguntalpe. From the alp, we continue climbing towards the already clearly visible Hählekopf. We bypass the summit slope slightly sideways depending on local snow and avalanche conditions.
Descent
The descent follows the ascent track. Once down, we need to push a bit further out of the valley.
Start Hirschegg
Coordinates:
Geogr. 47.343397 N 10.145103 EDestination Hirschegg Waypoints
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Public transportation:
Leave your car behind!
Take the train to Oberstdorf. Directly opposite the station, the Walserbus heads towards Kleinwalsertal. Take line 1 to the Riezlern Post stop, then transfer to line 5 “Ifen” and exit at the terminus “Ifen”.
Approach:
If traveling by car, form car pools.
Most access routes from Germany converge in Ulm and continue on the A7. At the Allgäu motorway junction, take the A980 to the Waltenhofen interchange and then the four-lane B19 via Sonthofen and Oberstdorf into the Kleinwalsertal.
From Austria (Vorarlberg) and Switzerland, you can reach the Kleinwalsertal via the Bregenzerwald (Hittisau) – Riedberg Pass – Fischen – Oberstdorf.
Coming from Tyrol, the fastest way is via the A7 to Kempten and then the B19 towards Oberstdorf. No motorway vignette is required for driving into the valley.
Route PlannerPark:
Paid parking spaces are located near the starting point.
Parking along the state road is not permitted.