Eagle Walk Stage O1: Ströden - Johannis Hütte

Cascading waterfalls, rushing streams, towering seracs and views of glistening glaciers. Welcome to the Eagle Walk in East Tirol! Trailhead of stage 1 is at Prägraten a.G./Ströden, close to the spectacular Umbalfälle waterfalls. Starting under a canopy of ancient larch trees, the trail begins its long and winding way up the mountain. As it breaks out of the woods, keep an eye out for marmots which can often be seen here on a sunny day. Walking past the Göriach Ochsner Hütte, the route continues to the Essener-Rostocker Hütte that provides the perfect rest stop for hikers. Follow the "Schweriner Weg" trail beneath the Kleiner Geiger mountain on your way to the Türml col. Rock cairns as trail markers will show you the way to Johannis Hütte, the oldest mountain refuge in the Eastern Alps. The hut dates back to 1857 and was completely refurbished in 1999. It's a little long and a little challenging getting to the Johannis Hütte, but the scenic rewards are more thn worth it.

Interesting Facts

Eagle View ·In the realm of “Three-Thousanders”, mountains over 3,000 metres in elevation, hikers can enjoy some of the most stunning views in the Alps. From the Essener-Rostocker Hütte you can see ten towering peaks topped with ice that glistens in the sun. The Johannis Hütte hut has vistas of the majestic and impressive Großvenediger mountain that will keep you mesmerised and captivated for many minutes.

Eagle Kick ·The 2,844-metre Türml is a peak on the Dorferkamm ridge that is accessed with a 30-minute climb from the Türml col via a via ferrata graded C (intermediate). The descent down the mountain’s south flank has some technical sections, assisted by a fixed anchoring system of cables, and views of the Venediger Mountains that will inspire you.

Interesting Facts Eagle View ·In the realm of “Three-Thousanders”, mountains over 3,000 metres in elevation, hikers can enjoy…

Trail description

Starting point: Ströden

Trailhead is the car park at Ströden. Having crossed the bridge, the trail begins to work its way up to the uncultivated Stoanalm hut (1,450 m) running parallel to the Maurerbach stream. A dirt road runs to the base of the telpher line, from where a steep path under a canopy of ancient larch trees begins its long and winding way up the mountain. The 20+ switchbacks up to the Göriach Ochsner Hütte (1,948 m) entail some 500 metres of climbing. The steep gradient lessens and the trail continues, still close to the stream, working its way up to the peaks of the Venediger Mountains, topped with ice. Cross the bridge of the roaring Maurerbach stream at the Upper Ochsner Hütte. This rushing stream ,arks the divide between Göriach alpine pasture and Maurer alpine pasture to the west. Another steep section brings you up to the Essener-Rostocker Hütte, surrounded by the lateral moraines of the Simonykees glacier that has retreated significantly over the last few years.

Food & drink: Essener-Rostocker Hütte

The Essener-Rostocker Hütte provides the perfect place to stop and rest. From the hut, follow the "Schweriner Weg" trail and continue up via a couple of switchbacks for around an hour. The trail climbs the boulder-strewn eastern flank of the Kleiner Geiger mountain on its way towards the red rocks of the Türml peak, passing glacial boulders with striations left over from the last Ice Age and scree and talus slopes. The 2,772-metre-high Türmljoch col is situated at the foot of the Türml peak. Descend to the east over snowfields and rocks across the eastern flank of the Dorferkamm ridge for about 15 minutes. Then, swing northeast along the crags of the Aderkamm ridge and cross a few unbridged streams. Eventually, cut down below the crags heading south to the Dorferbach stream, where glacial boulders with striations are to be found. Cross the stream by footbridge and wander across meadows, passing a memorial cross and the Zettalunitzbach stream to reach the end of this stage, the mighty Johannis Hütte (2,121 m).

Finishing point: Johannis Hütte