Eagle Walk Stage 19: Anhalter Hütte - Hanauer Hütte

Stage 19 involves plenty of knee-punishing descents, but the wow factor far exceeds the “ow” factor – this walk delivers much reward for the effort. The exposed and rugged trail from Anhalter Hütte to the Steinjöchl ridge is assisted by a fixed anchoring system of cables. From the ridge, it’s a steep descent to the Hahntennjochsattel. Gorgeous scenery awaits eager hikers in the remote Pfafflar Valley, passing picture-postcard villages en route to the Angerletal Valley and to the finishing point of this stage: Hanauer Hütte. Most of the 38 km² Muttekopf nature reserve lies above the treeline, so you'll find yourself in a true alpine environment. Don’t forget to turn your focus from the beautiful scenery to your feet as rare, exotic and endangered alpine wildflowers and plants can be found here.

Interesting Facts

Eagle View ·The historic wooden homes, which are typical of the remote Pfafflar Valley are made from round tree trunks; some of them date back to the 13th century. For the construction of these houses, neither a saw nor any metal was used. The joints are filled with mortar and whitened, which makes the houses look striped. The tiny hamlet of Boden reveals this otherworldly landscape in all its glory, and the trail leads through flower fields and past thundering waterfalls.

Eagle Kick ·One of the most striking peaks in this rugged alpine environment is the Falschkogel peak, easily recognisable from the Steinjöchl ridge by the jagged cliffs on its northern shoulder and the gentle pastoral hills on its southern shoulder. But don’t be fooled, the terrain is not as gentle as it seems. In fact there are steep drop-offs and exposed areas, so be careful.

Interesting Facts Eagle View ·The historic wooden homes, which are typical of the remote Pfafflar Valley are made from round tree trunks;…

Trail description

Starting point: Anhalter Hütte

Start off at the Anhalter Hütte, descend a few metres westward and then ascend gently up to the Steinjöchlsattel saddle (some cables on the rock to hold onto for safety) on a singletrack trail. Beyond the dip, the trail descends rather steeply, but soon continues to lead downward more gradually through meadows and dwarf pines. You’ll traverse the slopes in a south-western direction and head towards Hahntennjoch saddle with its rugged, alpine scenery. At the point where the route leads up to the road, follow the red blazes across alpine pastures, descending on the right-hamd side on a singletrack trail in a westerly direction. A short distance beyond, follow signage to “Hanauer Hütte”. The route runs north of the road along a path and further down gently descending on a dirt road through alpine pastures, dwarf pines and mixed forest. In this section you will also walk through a little ravine for a short distance. Where the road bends sharply to the left, the trail winds down on a grass strip north of the road (trail number 601 is way-marked on the wall). Soon, you will reach the homes of Pfafflar (here, one could branch off into Fundaistal Valley to Galtseitejoch col for the alternative access route to the Hanauer Hütte).

Food & drink: Gasthaus Pfafflar

For the original route, however, walk through Pfafflar on the road until a signed (“Nach Boden”) track heads to the left. This is where you will cross the road and the stream. Thereafter, descend on an idyllic singletrack trail along the creek (at the point where a group of homes can be found, you can also branch off to Galtseitejoch col for the alternative route).The original route descends westward, alternately on a singletrack trail and on a dirt road, down to the hamlet of Boden and to the parking area for the Hanauer Hütte. Some parts of the descent are rather steep. At the parking area, cross the Fundaisbach stream and follow signage to “Hanauer Hütte”. The route now runs on a well-maintained dirt road and crosses the Angerlebach stream, leading into the Angerletal Valley. After the bridge, the route gently ascends again and takes you through groves. Soon, you can catch the first glimpse of the Hanauer Hütte, which is located on an upland plateau high above the valley. Thereafter, the path descends a few metres before ascending again through the Angerletal Valley next to the broad rubble streambed in wide open terrain. At the base of the telpher line, the dirt road turns onto a singletrack trail that steeply zigzags up to the hut (do stay on the summer route). Hanauer Hütte is situated at an elevation of 1,922 metres and towered over by the majestic Kogelseespitze mountain.

Finishing point: Hanauer Hütte