€ 3,- HIKING- & CULTURaL GUIDE of the Olympiaregion Seefeld www.seefeld.com, [email protected], Tel. +43 (0)5 08800 www.seefeld.com, [email protected], Tel. +43 (0)5 08800 2 OlympiaregiOn Seefeld a village for any age Dear hikers, Description The little hiking and culture guidebook offers a We have put together a fantastic network of hi- wealth of ideas and suggestions to help you king and mountain bike routes throughout the enjoy your holiday to the full the way you want. Olympiaregion Seefeld. All the trails mentioned It will accompany you as you explore this en- here are signposted and marked and maintai- chanting region of unrivalled scenic diversity. ned on a regular basis. We kindly ask you to Nestling amid the stunning mountains of the follow only the sign-posted trails, not to leave Wetterstein range, the Alpenpark Karwendel any rubbish lying around and to take care of and the Wildmoos landscape protection area, our countryside. In the following pages, de- the Olympiaregion Seefeld provides the ideal tailed descriptions of the main hiking trails and 'base camp' for all those who want 'that bit mountain bike routes can be found. You will more' out of their holiday. Whether you want to find the trail numbers on both the hiking and explore the many themed walking trails and find mountain bike map and on the signposts in out all about the local flora and fauna as well as the countryside. The hiking trails are classified the traditions and customs of the locals living according to walking time and level of difficul- on the plateau, or you simply want to savour ty and sub-divided into easy walks, half-day the tranquillity of solitary summits – you’re sure hikes, full-day hikes and summit climbs. The to find a tour to suit your needs and wishes. mountain bike routes have been divided into And what about younger holiday guests? Just easy, intermediate and hard routes. In addition, take them with you and they can enjoy happy the routes on the map have been signed dif- days in our vast playground, namely the great ferent to indicate easy, intermediate and hard outdoors! Our region is one giant adventure routes respectively. playground with lakes and streams, flowering meadows, mountain huts and Alpine wildlife. The hiking and mountain bike map is available For further information on guided walks and in all the Olympiaregion Seefeld information of- hikes, children’s activities and lots more besi- fices for€ 3,90. des, contact any of our five information offices in Seefeld, Leutasch, Mösern/Buchen, Reith or Olympiaregion Seefeld Scharnitz. We look forward to seeing you! Klosterstr. 43 | 6100 Seefeld tel. +43(0)508800 | fax +43 (0)50880-51 [email protected] | www.seefeld.com 3 contents Introduction ............................................... 3 - Cultural Hiking Trail - Reith .................. 68 - Hiking Basics ........................................ 6 - Rosary Walking Trail - Reith .................. 71 - 'Schlossbach' Gorge - Reith ................ 71 Hiking Trails / Explore the region by foot 9 - 'Gleirsch' Gorge - Scharnitz ................. 72 - Walking paths ..................................... 10 - Nature Watch in the alpine nature reserve - Half-day hikes ..................................... 24 'Alpenpark Karwendel' ......................... 73 - Full-day hikes ...................................... 39 - Summit climbs .................................... 50 Kneipp facilities ....................................... 74 - Contemplation and Reflection hike ....... 75 History, culture & nature .......................... 58 - Water and Herbs hike .......................... 76 Themed walking trails - Adventure hike for young and old ......... 76 - Eagle’s Trail - Region ............................ 60 - A few steps on The Way of St. James .. 77 - Way of St. James - Region .................. 61 - Geological nature trail 'Hermannstal' - Lakes Seefeld ................................................ 62 - Lake 'Ablasssee' - Seefeld ................... 78 - Way of imperator Maximilian - Seefeld .. 62 - Lake 'Kaltwassersee' / Rosshütte - - Way of the Cross - Seefeld ................ 63 Seefeld ................................................ 78 - Guided Cultural Walk - Seefeld............ 63 - Lake 'Möserer See' - Mösern ............... 78 - 'Achweg' trail - Leutasch ..................... 64 - Lake 'Weidachsee' - Leutasch ............. 78 - Valley 'Gaistal' - Leutasch .................... 64 - Lakes 'Wildmoossee' - Spirit Gorge - Leutasch ....................... 65 and 'Lottensee' - Mösern ..................... 79 - Peace Walk - Mösern ........................... 66 - Lake 'Wildsee' - Seefeld ....................... 79 - Calvary - Mösern ............................... 66 - Path of the Bees - Reith ...................... 67 4 Seefeld ..................................................... 80 Reith .........................................................98 - St. Oswald Parish Church .................... 82 - 'Absetzkapelle' chapel .......................100 - Seekirchl (little church) ..........................82 - Chapel of Cecilia in Auland .................100 - Museum of Local History .....................83 - 'Frau Häusl' Chapel ............................100 - Graveyard in the Forest ........................83 - Wooden Shrine at the Gstoag ............101 - Lourdes Grotto .................................101 Leutasch ..................................................84 - Maria Hilf Chapel in Auland ................101 - Ludwig Ganghofer Museum .................86 - St. Nicholas Parish Church ................102 - Parish Church of - Red Cross at the Wildsee ..................104 St. John the Baptist ...........................87 - St. Magnus Chapel in Leithen ............104 - Parish Church of St. Mary Magdalene ............................88 Scharnitz ................................................106 - 19 Chapels ..........................................89 - 'Alpenpark Karwendel' alpine nature reserve ..........................107 Mösern/Buchen .......................................90 - ‘Birzelkapelle’ Chapel .........................107 - Peace Bell ............................................92 - Source of the River Isar ......................108 - Museum of Mountain Farming - ‘Karwendelbahn’ Railway ...................109 'Landgasthof Ropferstub´m' .................93 - Parish Church of Our - Museum of Local History Lady of Perpetual Help .......................109 'Sterzingerhof' ......................................93 - Porta Claudia .....................................110 - Historic Fences ....................................94 - Mary of the Visitation Church ...............96 List of alpine huts and inns ...................112 Contact, imprint .....................................115 5 Hiking Basics Public Transport Regional bus tickets valid for the entire duration Alpine Emergency Signal (S.O.S.) of your stay are available in the information offi- Should you find yourself in an emergency ces for € 12. All the starting points for the hikes situation and require assistance during the can be easily reached by bus. course of a mountain hike, use the Alpine distress signal – a signal repeated 6 times at Requirements and recommended regular intervals within the space of one minute equipment: followed by a break. Repeat the procedure until you receive a reply. The signals can be audible For easy walks: (shouting, whistling etc.) and / or visible (waving All the paths and trails that come under this a white cloth, flashing a torch, using a mirror classification are absolutely safe for walking, a etc.). head for heights is not required and the paths have only slight inclines. Equipment: slip- Alpine Emergency Call No. resistant shoes with good soles, windproof In case of an emergency, the Alpine Emergency clothing, rain protection. Services can be reached on the number 140 or + 43 / 512 / 140. For half-day hikes: All the paths and trails that come under this Liability classification have some steeper inclines but Participation in the guided walks is at your are nonetheless safe for walking. Equipment: own risk. sturdy ankle-high boots with treads, wind- proof clothing, rain protection, a snack and fruit, something to drink. 6 For full-day hikes: Start the hike early in the morning. Reports Those undertaking a full-day hike should about the condition of the mountain paths set off as early as possible in the morning and trails and any possible closures, as well since the midday heat can make walks more as information on the opening times and strenuous. All the paths and trails that come overnightstay facilities of the Alpine huts and under this classification can have some very inns can be obtained at the information offices. steep sections and hikers need to be relatively fit and, at times, surefooted. Equipment: sturdy Hiking Badge ankle-high walking boots with treads, good Hiking passes on which stamps can be quality wind-proof clothing, rain protection, collected to record walks, are available free enough food provisions to cover at least two of charge from the information offices. On mealtimes, fruit, at least 1 litre to drink per presenting your pass you will receive a hiking person and first aid supplies. pin badge in gold, silver or bronze depending on the points you have earned. (Small fee of For summit climbs: € 1,90 per badge with Regional Guest Card). All the trails and summits that come under this classification require mountain experience, sta- mina, absolute surefootedness and, in some cases,