Long-Distance Hiking Trail
Gschnitztal Hut Hike

Stage 1: Steinach am Brenner – Tribulaunhütte

Vertical ascent/descent: 779/797 metres, walking time: 6 hours, distance: 12.8 kilometres, highest point: 2,538 metres, difficulty: difficult

This hike begins in Steinach am Brenner with a ride up on the Bergeralmbahn cable car before hikers change onto the Bergbahn Hoher Turm lift to the Nösslachjoch. From the top of the lift there is a trail leading gently uphill, then downhill, in a southwesterly direction past the Lichtsee lake to the Trunajoch ridge at around 2,100 metres above sea level. The journey continues through rocky terrain, along the ridge, beneath the peaks of the Rötenspitze and Muttenkopf mountains all the way up to the 2,500 m Gstreinjöchl ridge with its magnificent views. After a steep and technically challenging descent the trail heads right to the first hut of this hike, the Tribulaunhütte, at 2,064 metres above sea level.

Stage 2: Tribulaunhütte – Bremer Hütte
Vertical ascent/descent: 997/650 metres, walking time: 6 hours, distance: 9.9 kilometres, highest point: 2,546 metres, difficulty: difficult

From the Tribulaunhütte the trail leads steeply uphill in a south-westerly direction on the northern slopes of the Tribulaun Massif, through rocky terrain above the mountain meadows to the Schwarze Wand and on over a stream to Mitteregg. After a short climb of around 100 vertical metres hikers reach the Bremer Hütte. This stage contains one section where there are steel ropes anchored to the rock for additional safety.

Stage 3: Bremer Hütte  – Innsbrucker Hütte
Vertical ascent/descent: 845/893 metres, walking time: 6 hours, distance: 10 kilometres, highest point: 2,539 metres, difficulty: difficult

Stage three begins at the end of the Gschnitztal Valley, taking hikers from the Bremer Hütte in a northerly direction. It is here that walkers join the Stubai High Trail and cross a stream before passing the Lautersee lake and heading into the Plattental Valley. There are several exposed sections here with steel ropes anchored into the rock for safety. Follow the trail to the Pramarnspitze mountain at around 2,500 metres above sea level. The final section is then up and down over several ridges to the Pinnisjoch. It is there that you will find the Innsbrucker Hütte hut at 2,369 metres sea level with fine views of the mighty Habicht mountain.

Stage 4: Innsbrucker Hütte - Padasterjochhaus
Vertical ascent/descent: 1,124/1,255 metres, walking time: 7 hours, distance: 10 kilometres, highest point: 2,745 metres, difficulty: difficult

After a good night's sleep at the Innsbrucker Hütte, it is time to hit the trails again and head north to the Alfairgrube. You will be able to see the Karalm hut (serving food & drink) until shortly after you have crossed the stream. From there, take the trail north until a narrower and steeper trail branches off to the right. This is where the climb to the Kirchdachspitze begins, up over the Silbersattel ridge at 2,840 metres. The final section is through rocky terrain beneath the Hammerspitze and past a small shepherd's hut to the Padasterjochhaus.

Stage 5: Padasterjochhaus – Blaserhütte
Vertical ascent/descent: 776/828 metres, walking time: 5.5 hours, distance: 7.8 kilometres, highest point: 2,713 metres, difficulty: difficult

Stage five begins with an uphill section from the Padasterjochhaus towards the Wasenwand, leading over several impressive summits. Follow the trail beneath the Wasenwand to the Roter Kopf at 2,526 metre. After a further 200 vertical metres you will reach the Kesselspitze peak. It is then time to head towards the Kalbenjoch ridge and follow the signs for "Peilspitze". After summiting this mountain, continue through rough terrain to the Blaserhütte at the foot of the 2,241 Blaser mountain.

Stage 6: Blaserhütte – Talstation Bergeralmbahn
Vertical ascent/descent: 6/1,123 metres, walking time: 3.5 hours, distance: 8 kilometres, highest point: 2,180 metres, difficulty: intermediate

The final stage of this hike is the shortest. Form the Blaserhütte the descent first leads along a forest road heading in an easterly direction. The Blaser mountain is famous for its flowers, so you can alternatively take a steeper and narrower trail down leading through a series of meadows known as the Sanddürrenmähder. After around three hours of walking you will get back to the starting point of this hike, the bottom station of the Bergeralmbahn cable car.