Difficulty:
easy
Length:
14.3 km
Duration:
3:30 h
Elevation uphill:
20 m
Pull on your walking boots and join us on a hike across Tirol! The first stage of the Eagle Walk provides a truly spectacular start to what is set to be an unforgettable journey from east to west. We begin our adventure in the Kaiser Mountains with their craggy grey peaks towering above lush green meadows. Some of the most famous mountains in this part of Tirol include the Maukspitze, Ackerlspitze, Regalpspitze and Törlspitze, all of which are over 2,000 metres high. The hike begins at the Gasthaus Rummlerhof, a guesthouse to the north-west of the centre of St. Johann. Upon arrival at your destination, the Gaudeamushütte, you can raise your glass and to a successful day and sing: "Gaudeamus igitur - Let us be happy!". Alternatively, why not add an extra challenge and take on the 400 vertical metres up to the Gruttenhütte?
Medium-difficulty stage on red mountain paths. Sure-footedness and basic alpine knowledge required. A good level of fitness is required.
Starting point: St. Johann in Tirol
Trailhead of Eagle Walk Stage 1 is Rummlerhof Inn in the hamlet of Hinterkaiser, northwest of the village centre of St. Johann in Tirol. Traveling by car, you can
park at the Steinlechnerplatz/Dampflfeld car park (around 400 m from the tourist information office). From Rummlerhof Inn, take the narrow paved road and walk westwards towards Maurerhof, following signage to “Schleierwasserfall”. Pass the (farm)house No. 80 on its left hand side. Now, an easy climb takes you through a thicket of trees. Cross the forest road and follow the red-white blazes upstream along a brook. The trail eventually joins a forest road, turn left first, then right towards “Schleierwasserfall” (keep walking on Trail No. 33 until you reach Schleier Waterfall).
You’ll access the falls along a steep path that winds through forest and takes you to Diebsöfen; and you will make your way around and up the cliff s assisted by a fixed anchoring system of cables. A brook winds along a perpendicular rock face − this is where you will find a cave. Descend to the brook and follow the markings in the cave (the trail traverses the cave). From Diebsöfen, an easy climb takes you up to mighty Schleier Waterfall where you’ll walk between waterfall and rock face. From here the climb continues onto “Obere Regalm” Alpine Pasture Hut, passing along climbing walls. You’ll pass another waterfall and descend through a meadow, soon reaching a fork, where you aim right and walk up again (No. 817). From there follow signage to “Regalm” and “Gaudeamushütte”. The trail enters the wide open world of Alpine pastures, descends again and eventually turns onto a forest road that takes you to Obere Regalm Alpine Pasture Hut.
Food & drink: Obere Regalm
Above the hut, walk towards “Gaudeamushütte” with the trail climbing atop a saddleback (right next to it is where you will find the mountaineer’s grave atop Brennender Palven). On the other side of the col the trail descends towards “Gaudeamushütte”, to an elevation of 1,263 metres. You’ll pass Freiberg Hut on your way down to Gaudeamus Hut, your comfy base for the night (keep to Trail No. 824 from the saddle onwards).
Finishing point: Gaudeamushütte hut
