The Außermelang Alm near Wattenberg is a pretty alpine hut in the Tux Alps. Each summer around 100,000 litres of milk are processed here into mountain cheese. That might sound like a lot, but demand for this tangy, hard cheese is even bigger. For the local cheesemakers it's all about quality, not quantity. The hike up to the hut starts at Lager Walchen, a military training area at the end of the Wattental Valley. It is worth checking with the local authorities to avoid the times when military exercises are underway. Don't forget to leave some space in your rucksack for all those dairy delights you will want to take back home with you.
Alpine Hike
Starting point
Bundesheerlager Walchen (Army Camp)
Hike to
Außermelang Alm
Finishing point
Bundesheerlager Walchen (Army Camp)
Mountain chain
Tux Alps
Length
7.6 km
Total hiking time
2 h 30 min
Features
- Wheelchair-accessible Hiking Route
- Circular hike
Difficulty rating
intermediate (red mountain trails)
Altitude
1,866m 1,397m
Elevation uphill 470m
Vertical metres downhill 470m
Fitness level
Technique
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
* These are approximate values and recommendations. Please take your personal fitness level, technical ability and the current weather conditions into account. Tirol Werbung cannot guarantee that the information provided is correct and accepts no liability.
Public transport
- Accessible using public transport
Bus route 4123, get off at stop Wattens Hauptplatz
Parking
Large car park in front of the entrance to the military base (Lager Walchen)
Downloads
Trail description
The hike begins at the car park in front of the entrance to the military exercise area at Lager Walchen. Leave your car at this car park and take the trail which starts by the road and leads left ("Wattentaler Zirbenweg") and completes a curve before continuing into the valley in a southeasterly direction. After passing the Stieralm hut, walkers enter the forest. After around a kilometre of walking turn left and follow the trail to the Außermelang Alm. Return along the same route.
Important! The Außermelang-Niederleger hut (one of several huts which make up the Außermelang Alm) is located within the territory of the Austrian federal army's military exercise zone. The walking trails are closed during military exercises (danger of death). Here you will find information on times for the exercises (German).
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