Difficulty:easy
Length:2.0 kmDuration:0:45 hElevation uphill:70 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.
Take the gondola to the top of the Markbachjoch Mountain. On a clear day the views reach even as far as the Grossglockner from here.
On the easy nr. 2 past the reservoir you pass the Brixentaler Holzalm, aka "Käsealm"or Cheese Farm. In the summer, home to 150 cows. Dairy products can be tasted on the lovely terrace.
Continue on to the tiny Horler Stiegl Chapel and then on route 2 towards the Feldalphorn (approx. 200 metres altitude difference). Charming little mountain ponds lie along the path. Beneath the summit take the path to the Vordere Feldalm and after that to the Hintere Feldalm and then on to Kober Alm at 1250 m
Our destination is the Schönangeralm, where prize winning cheeses are made by Johann Schönauer. 2500 litres of milk is produced on the Schönanger Alm daily and turned into butter and cheese.
A guided tour of the dairy is available on request. The cheeses are on sale in the Schönanger Alm Gasthof.
Start: Markbachjoch gondola in Niederau
Price: The cable car is free with the Wildschönau Card!
Visit to the Schönanger show dairy and cheese tasting € 4 per person (only for groups)
