Markbachjochbahn Niederau
Difficulty:easy
Length:8.9 kmDuration:3:30 hElevation uphill:466 m
Wildschönau cheese art at several cheese dairies and sweeping views - on the hike from the Markbachjoch to the Schönangeralm you can enjoy this for hours.
"On the trail of cheese" is a pleasure-oriented panoramic hike from alpine pasture to alpine pasture - ideal for anyone who wants to combine wide views, gentle paths and regional products. The Markbachjochbahn in Niederau provides a relaxed start: From the mountain station at 1496 m, an impressive view as far as the Großglockner awaits. There is more downhill than uphill to your destination. In between, you can choose from several refreshment stops. The route leads from alpine pasture to alpine pasture on easy forest paths and short sections of ascent, including the Brixental Holzalm - popularly known as the "Käsealm". Cheese is made there using traditional craftsmanship and is also sold in summer (alongside milk and butter). The Vordere and Hintere Feldalm are also passed and create a wonderfully rustic picture. The crowning glory is the Schönangeralm - the destination of this "pleasure hike" and a real highlight for cheese lovers: here, "Cheese King Johann" processes large quantities of milk into cheese and butter every day. In the show dairy, you can easily look over his shoulder; in the farm store, the specialties are available to take away.
Markbachjochbahn Niederau
Schönangeralm Auffach
The gondola lift in Niederau takes you up to the Markbachjoch in a short time. There, at 1496 m, you have a magnificent view as far as the Großglockner.
An easy hiking trail (no. 2) leads past the reservoir to the Brixentaler Holzalm, popularly known as the "Käsealm". Cheese is made there in the old artisan tradition and sold in the summer months alongside milk and butter.
After some refreshments, the trail leads to the Horler Stiege and then to the right via a path up to the Vordere Feldalm (approx. 200 meters in altitude). There are some charming little moorland lakes along the way. Then follow the hiking trail to the Hintere Feldalm and the tractor path down to the Koberalm at 1250 m (no catering at the Koberalm).
Now the path leads slightly downhill to the destination of the pleasure hike, the Schönangeralm. Cheese king Johann "rules" here and he says: "I love cheese and cheese loves me". Cheese-making is a science in itself and Johann Schönauer learned it from the bottom up in his apprenticeship as a dairy and cheese specialist. On the Schönangeralm, he processes 2500 liters of milk into cheese and butter every day.
If you want to find out more, you can look over his shoulder in his show dairy on the Schönangeralm, 1200 meters above sea level - even without an appointment, as he is there all day long. And the cheese delicacies can be bought directly from the farm store.
Visit to the Schönangeralm show dairy incl. tasting € 4.00 per person (only for groups)
