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The Full Story
GRUTTENHÜTTEN TOUR
Info about the hike
Route:
Wochenbrunneralm - Gruttenhütte - Wochenbrunneralm
Distance:
Ca. 5.9 km (ca. 3.7 miles)
Metres/feet in altitude:
Up 550 m / down 550 m (ca. 1800 feet each)
For children:
Own responsibility (not really recommended)
For dogs:
rather no (due to the via ferrata)
Suitable for winter:
No
Spatlahnerklamm - a Stream Paradise
We didn't start from the very bottom. We went by car up to the Wochenbrunner Alm where we parked the car and got ready for the hike. I had all sorts of things with me and my luggage was not light. Armed with a camera, water bottle, food and my ukulele...yes, an ukulele...we started our hike. Are you with me? Great...let's do it!
I strongly recommend you don't take the Wochenbrunnerweg, but head down to the creek. From there, you can hike in idyllic surroundings to the Gaudeamushütte. The stream bed branches out again and again, creating beautiful natural constellations.
There are also small bridges over the stream and there is no shortage of picnic spots. If it is not man-made, then nature has provided something cosy.
In case you want to get away from the stress of everyday life, you should find a cosy spot somewhere along the stream, sit down and just listen to the water and the birds. You'll see...you'll soon forget all about work or personal stress and we all need a break like that from time to time, don't we?
A hike that challenges the body
and stimulates the mind
Last year, my parents visited me in Ellmau near the beautiful Wilder Kaiser in Tyrol and we couldn't resist tackling the hike to the Gruttenhütte.
It is located at 1620 metres (5315 feet) above sea level and rewards with a magnificent view over the Kaisertal. Our route was via the Klamml in the east but the hut can also be reached from the west.
A map with all the photo spots can be found at the end of this post.
Flower meadows and curd strudel
As soon as you leave the stream bed, it is not far to the Gaudeamus Hut. What I liked in particular were the meadows with the many beautiful flowers and behind them the Kaiser Valley, which was in full splendour.
From forget-me-nots to gentians and dandelions, you could enjoy all the splendour of the Kaiser flora. If you need a break after so much beautiful nature, you can stop at the Gaudeamus Hut. Are you coming?
We recharged our batteries with lots of delicious local desserts, and a sour Radler was well deserved. But we didn't come here just to take a break. The second stage was waiting for us.
The wilderness calls and we observe
Strengthened, we continued towards the Klamml. At first, there were still taller trees, but then we steadily noticed that the trees were turning more and more into bushes. Marvellous stony hiking paths and in front of us the plain sight of the mountain. It could hardly get any better. But it did.
Looking towards the mountainside, I saw movement in the slope. More and more brown patches were moving. Chamois! A large herd of about 15 were frolicking in the slope, running up and down as if it were no effort.
As we were camouflaged by the bushes, these magnificent animals felt undisturbed. My parents and I could watch this spectacle unhindered. The whole thing went on and on but we had one goal and that was the Gruttenhütte. So...on we went!
Now we were the chamois
-
The Klamml
Only a short time later, we reached the Klamml via ferrata. We went uphill over scree and on metal bolts hammered into the stone. This via ferrata is not a high alpine act but you definitely feel adventurous.
I had a special balancing act to do with my Nikon in one hand and a heavy backpack with tripod, ukulele and the rest of the equipment inside.
But even that was managed. However, really good footwear is required. We met a Viennese couple who were about to turn around because they had started the via ferrata in trainers.
A certain level of fitness is also required, as you are constantly going up and climbing and hiking alternate. But when you reach the top, you are really happy and you know that your goal is not far away.
We were finally at the top!
Balm for the soul and buttermilk for the stomach
Now we just went straight ahead. To the left and right of us were magnificent mountain landscapes and the view was simply fantastic. After a few metres we saw the Gruttenhütte.
But before that, there was a small pasture that gave us one of the most beautiful views over the valley. That's what you want to see! That's what you hike up the mountain for, and when you get there, your soul rejoices. The Wheat beer is well deserved.
At the Gruttenhütte we ate a sausage salad (typical for Austria) and drank some buttermilk. Yes, I know...a lot of people don't like it, but that's one of my father's and my insider tips.
Back down we went
Now it was all downhill. Not the mood but back towards the valley we went. I also traded my camera for the ukulele and so I played most of the way down. It's a change of pace, isn't it? We went down the distinctive path, which you can easily see on the opposite side of the valley, via the Gamsbründl.
Then we came across an open field with lots of big stones. For children and the "young at heart" (yes, that's what we call ourselves) a wonderful place showed itself, which is also interesting for photographers an as this place is rich in motifs.
In addition, the stones make a beautiful background for family photos. Then it was back to the Wochenbrunner Alm and down into the valley.
I can strongly recommend this hiking route. However, you must have good shoes, sometimes good physical condition and you must not be afraid of heights.
All photo spots for you at a glance
If you are planning to visit this wonderful place with all the photo spots I heartily recommend, I have marked all the points on the map for you.
If you have found other beautiful places to photograph, please feel free to send them to me via the contact form and I will add them to the map (with a mention, of course).
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