Place:
Münster
:
Alpine pasture / hut / mountain restaurant
PLEASE NOTE: the "Schafsteig" – trail leading to Lake Zirein/Rofan Range – is closed and the original route needs to be widely avoided. The detour adds another approx. 3 hours to the walking time. Planning in an overnight at the Bayreuther Hütte makes things easier - Tel. Bayreuther Hütte: +43 664 3425103 The route along the Rofan Range is beautiful: on one side there are steep rock faces, on the other gentle Alpine pastures.
Starting at the Gasthof Waldhäusl Inn in Steinberg am Rofan for a short distance walk along the main road in a southeasterly direction and then turn left onto the village road. Shortly afterwards, turn right and follow the road leading to the Durra farm. Continue along the road down to the Mühlbach (stream) following its course and crossing it. The route now continues uphill past the Enter farm to the Durra farm. Walking Along a forest track follow the signs for Rofan and then for Lake Zirein and “Erfurter Hütte”. The route leads uphill through thinning forest and through meadows. The path divides at a hay barn, take the path leading uphill, don’t walk downhill. Soon the path narrows and after crossing the stream with a small waterfall merges into a road leading to the „Bayreuther Hütte“. At the next crossing turn left and walk alongside the stream. The trail merges into another road. Turn right and then left onto a narrow path. Once again, follow the stream through thinning woods towards Lake Zirein. Cross the stream (no bridge) and continue along the steep uphill path through beautiful Alpine pastures to the idyllic Schauertalalm. Take the track leading to the Schauertal saddle. Be careful on this steep uphill track with its exposed roots, rocks and dwarf pine trees. The trail leads to a hollow – continue towards the Erfurter Hütte walking past the southeast end of Lake Zirein. At the western end of the lake, take the uphill path to the next fork. Please note – new trail from this point!!! Follow the signs for "Zireiner Alm" and "Bayreuther Hütte"/"Bergalm". The almost level trail leads through Alpine pastures and along the western side of the Latschenkopf – to the right is the striking Rofan Range.
Following the short descent to the Zireiner Alm walk along the forest track to the next bend. Immediately after the bend, turn right onto the path leding the "Bayreuther Hütte"/"Bergalm". Walk first downhill and then uphill to the "Bayreuther Hütte"/"Bergalm" at 1.600 m (approx. 1 hour from Lake Zirein). The Bayreuther Hütte not only provides wonderful views, but you can overnight there – please book in advance - Tel. +43 664 3425103. Shortly before the Bayreuther Hütte a path branches off to the right towards "Vorderes Sonnwendjoch". The trail initially leads through a pine forest and then along a bare mountain ridge up to the peak at 2.224 m. The panorama is phenomenal! You are rewarded with views over the Ziller Valley and Stubai Alps, the Hohe Tauern, Kitzbüheler Alps, Kaiser Range, Karwendl and Brandenberg Alps. Continue along a wide ridge in a northerly direction. Upon reaching the sign, „Umgehung Sagzahn" follow the downhill trail to the left (towards Schermsteinalm).Approx. 200 m below the peak walk uphill – always towards the "Rofanspitze". Upon reaching the saddle you access the original route. If you would like to walk up to the "Sagzahn" at 2.228m, then either walk back to the sign, „Umgehung Sagzahn" or descend via the "Kamin" narrow ravine – please note – in part the trail is perpendicular; iron steps!! From the saddle take a short descent to the left through gentle Alpine pastures, where soon after you will see signs for the „Erfurter Hütte“ and „Rofanseilbahn“. Follow the trail to the south of the Rofanspitze almost crossing over the saddle. The path descends gently into a verdant depression. Continue through Alpine pastures down to the „Erfurter Hütte“ next to the Rofanseilbahn top station. Shortly before your goal, you pass the „Mauritzalm“. From the “Schafsteig“ saddle follow the signs for „Erfurter Hütte“ and „Rofanseilbahn“. Either walk a further approx. 1 h 30 min. or take the cable car down to Maurach. Almost the entire route is shared with the Austrian long distance route, the Nordalpenweg 01.
