Based on length alone, it’s a long journey at about 13 kilometers, but nothing a healthy child or senior citizen can’t do. This panoramic loop trail meanders high above the basin of Kössen and there are quite a few sights to see en route. Such as Taubensee Lake, which is probably frozen at this time of the year. The lake is situated in vicinity to the cabin of the same name, Taubensee Hut, which makes a great place to stop by and warm yourself up (in case you visit during opening hours). Breathtaking views open around you as you reach Pittenharter Memorial Cross atop the summit of 1,279-meter Sonnwendköpfl Peak. The loop brings you back to the trailhead past Praschhof.
Snowshoe
Starting point
Hohe Brücke Car Park, Kössen (elev. 680m)
Finishing point
Hohe Brücke Car Park, Kössen (elev. 680m)
Mountain chain
Kaiser Mountains
Length
12.5 km
Total hiking time
4 h 30 min
Features
- Circular hike
Difficulty rating
medium
Altitude
1,280m 590m
Elevation uphill 650m
Vertical metres downhill 650m
Trail description
Take the signposted fork in the hairpin bend and cross Hohe Brücke Bridge into the woods. The winter walking trail steeply climbs to Mühlbergstraße Road. Walk past Praschhof en route to Schafflerbauernhaus Farm. Above the farm, take the left fork and follow the trail that ascends to “Ast zu Moosenhütte”; some sections are steep. Continue climbing to Hirzing Hut (elev. 1,020m). The final push furiously works its way up to Taubensee Hut (elev. 1,165m). From the hut, follow signposts to frozen Taubensee Lake. Take time to bask along its shores before heading southeastward into the forest. Once you reach a clearing, the memorial cross named Pittenharter Kreuz is located at your right hand side, on the summit of 1,279-meter Sonnwendköpfl Peak.
From the cross on the summit, walk in a northeastern direction. The route weaves you through forest first and then across wide open meadows. You will pass Sauermöseralm (elev. 1,281m, signposted) and nearby Stoibermöseralm (elev. 1,260m). From Stoibermöseralm Alpine Pasture Hut, the trail (21, 21a) drops down past Stoibenalm (elev. 1,140m) until it merges onto a forest road, which you follow in a southwestern direction until you reach Embacheralm (elev. 1,013m). Continue walking along the forest road, taking you past Ochsenalm and back to Praschhof and your starting point.
Please Note: Mühlberg Inn is closed on Wednesdays; Taubensee Hut is open from Christmas to Epiphany and until late March on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Be prepared to adjust your activity based on current conditions. As a general rule, if there is fresh snow, conditions may be better suited for snowshoeing; if the snow is old and well-travelled, it may be better for winter walking. For avalanche conditions visit lawine.tirol.gv.at.
Information on place
Hiking trails in this region
Kössen
This challenging snowshoe leading up to Wetterfahne Peak (literally…
