WAIWI Long-Distance Walk – From Waidring to Wildseeloder

Stage 1: Waidring - Hausberg - Schaflberg - Kirchberg - St. Jakob in Haus
Uphill: 1,100 vertical metres, downhill: 1,100 vertical metres, distance: 21.8 kilometres, hiking time: 8 hours

Departing from the Gasthof Post inn in Waidring (778 metres), the way leads through mixed forest to the top of Hausberg and across romantic Weissbachschlucht gorge to Oberweissbach. From there, it continues over wide-open alpine pastures and fields of dwarf pines to Schafelberg (1,597 metres) and Kirchberg (1,678 metres). Here, it drops down to Winterstelleralm hut and on to the St. Ulrich hamlet of Schartental. Walk past Schwendt and the hamlet named “Weiler Flecken” with its chocolate box Tirol-style farmhouses to reach the destination end of the first day, St. Jakob in Haus.

Stage 2: St. Jakob in Haus - Buchensteinwand – Wildseeloderhaus Lodge
Uphill: 1,700 metres, downhill: 700 metres, distance: 17 kilometers, hiking time: 8 hours

From St. Jakob in Haus (855 metres), a steep climb takes you to the Buchensteinwand mountain and Jakobskreuz cross past the “Katzeneck”. Standing 30 metres tall atop the summit of the Buchensteinwand mountain, Jakobskreuz is a multi-storey building in the shape of a cross. The most exciting feature of this building, which can be seen from afar, is the glorious 360-degree view. Continue walking toward Tennalm and take the left fork down to Fieberbrunn/Buchau slightly above the ski lift terminal. Head toward Walchau and Streuböden at the bottom of the ski lifts before the route resumes its climb along Krottenweg trail to Lärchfilzhochalm and Wildalm huts (1,579 metres). A final push up a steep hillside is all that’s keeping you from your base for that night, the 1,854-metre Wildseeloderhaus lodge on the shores of the amazing mountain lake of the same name.

Alternative: You can cut out miles from the (ascending) route by taking the gondola, which conveniently whisks you up from Fieberbrunn to the top of the 1,645-metre Lärchfilzkogel. From here, it’s a mere 1.5-hour climb along the scenic Panoramaweg trail and past Wildalm hut.

Stage 3: Wildseeloderhaus Lodge – Summit of Wildseeloder Peak - Fieberbrunn
Uphill: 400 metres, downhill: 1,400 metres, distance: 11.2 kilometers, hiking time: 4 hours

From the lodge, a steep ridgeline ascent past the lake takes you through a rocky gate. The well-groomed trail soon reaches a ridge and heads to the 2,118-metre summit of “Loder” peak. Stop and rest and admire the sweeping views of nearby valleys and mountains and contemplate the forces of nature that created it. Eventually, begin the descent to Fieberbrunn past the Seenieder and Wildalm huts. Berggasthof Wildalpgatterl mountain inn is the perfect place to gather new strength after the hiking effort of the day. Try the delicious homemade stone-oven-baked bread. At Streuböden, the mid-way station of the cable car, behind the Gasthof Streuböden inn you will find the Timok's Mountain World, where you can walk on the Adventure Trail, scramble through the Climbing Park or take your adventure to new heights at the Aerial Forest Adventure Park. Next to the start of the Alpine Coaster, walk toward the reservoir used for snowmaking in winter and take the left fork down to “Brent” and on to the Lauchsee lake. Pass the swimming lake on your way to the villlage centre of Fieberbrunn (790 metres).