Eagle Walk Stage 14: Innsbruck - Hochzirl - Solsteinhaus

Description

Route: Innsbruck Triumphpforte - Goldenes Dachl - St. Jakob Cathedral - Kematen - Ehnbachklamm - Hochzirl train station - Solnalm - Höllkar - Solsteinhaus

Directions:
Take the Mittenwaldbahn from Innsbruck or walk from the train station in a westerly direction following Salurnerstraße to Triumphpforte - then turn left into Maria-Theresien-Straße until it leads straight ahead into the old town to the Goldenes Dachl - pass it on the right into Domgasse until you reach the Cathedral of St. Jacob. Follow the Jakobsweg through Innsbruck further to Kranebitten, Völs, Kematen and then from Kematen take the hiking trail over the Inn bridge in the direction of Zirl, and then continue through the Ehnbachklamm gorge in the direction of Plainer to the Hochzirl train station and directly from the station follow the signs "Solsteinhaus". North of the tracks immediately on a good climb into the dense forest. After a short time, the path leads into a cart track, on this directly and quite steeply upwards. Soon the path from the hospital Hochzirl joins on the left, further uphill and in a northeasterly direction steeply through the forest. After crossing the small stream that runs down from the Brunnenschrofen, a short stretch almost flat or only gently rising along. The route now almost resembles a road and soon rises again more strongly. At an altitude of about 1350 meters the route meets a wide forest road - here continue upwards. It passes above a small ravine and after the stream over a path in the thinning forest or through the mountain pines up into the open alpine pasture area at the lovely Solnalm. From the Solnalm you can see the Solsteinhaus for the first time. Pass the alpine pasture on the right and head in a northerly direction into the valley towards the Höllkar. In the process, one or the other scree gully is crossed. The trail then crosses the foothills of the Höllkar and the stream and finally moves comfortably in the mountain pines up the slope to the Erlsattel with the Solsteinhaus.

Highlights:

• The Mittenwaldbahn takes you on an impressive route through the Martinswald Tunnel to Hochzirl, among other places.
• From the route of the Mittenwaldbahn you have a wonderful view of the Inn Valley. At the destination point, the Solsteinhaus, you will overlook the mountain world of the Kalkkögeln and the Stubai Alps with the Ruderhofspitze as well as the Schrankogel. Towards the north you can see into the Kristen and Samertal valleys.
• This stage of the Eagle Trail runs through the Karwendel Alpine Park, the largest nature reserve in the Eastern Alps. At the beginning, the trail runs through a pine and spruce forest, later you will reach the Solsteinhaus via various alpine pastures.
• The Mittenwald or Karwendelbahn was built and electrified in 1912 according to the plans of Josef Riehl. Between Innsbruck and Seefeld you overcome 600 meters in altitude with the train.
•  The stage is suitable for experienced children from the age of eight.
•  Possible crossways are: Via the road from Zirl to Hochzirl; from Scharnitz through the Gleirsch and Kristental valleys to the Solsteinhaus.