Gerlos Side Valleys + Wiesenweg PathThe Schwarzach Valley Just to get the feel of things, you should try the Schwarzach Valley. From your lodgings you can stroll along the practically level trail to Gerlos-Gmünd, past the reservoir and on to the Gasthof Kühle Rast. Here you cross a brief stretch of forest and then finally - but slowly - climb uphill. For about an hour you'll hike through the narrow, romantic Schwarzach Valley, until at almost 1,400 m you've earned your apple strudel at the Jausenstation Schwarzachalm (snacks). Less experienced walkers can take Hiking Trail No. 8 from here to the Obere Schwarzachalm, while more enterprising souls can continue further into the valley. Really experienced hikers can even hike the mountain trail to 2,475-m-high Schwarzachscharte.
The Wimmer Valley The Wimmer Valley is also more or less easy-going. Here, too, you take the forest trail along Gerlosbach (brook) to Gerlos-Gmünd. At the Hotel Kröller the trail climbs briefly. An easy walk along Hiking Trail No. 6 takes you past the Eggehtenalm to the Jausenstation Wimmertalalm (snacks) in about 1/2 hr. Less experienced hikers can even take the trail over the Grundlochalm, Jagdhütte and Grundhütte to reach an elevation of approx. 1,760 m. From there, Trail No. 6 (marked black) takes more adept hikers to Wimmerscharte at more than 2,500 m elevation.
The Schönach Valley Start out from the Gasthof Oberwirt along the gently climbing Hiking Trail No. 5 into the Schönach Valley. After a short stop at the Stinkmoosalm to enjoy the beautiful view deep into the valley, you'll reach the Jausenstation Lackenalm (snacks, 1,400 m) in about 1 hr. And even if you're not a mountaineer but are still surefooted and have good boots you can pick up the hiking trail here that climbs via the Issalm and the Pasteinalm to a good 2,000 m. For your reward you'll have a breath-taking view of the mighty Schönachkees (glacier).
The Krummbach Valley The easy hike into the "thumb" of the five side valleys, the Krummbach Valley, could also be called hut hopping. Althogether, three huts offering Austrian snacks and specialties await you on Trail No. 2. From the parking area at the Isskogel Chairlift the trail leads past the Almstüberl and the turnoff for Prölleralm - a rustic Alpine hut. Continue, first along the brook, until you reach the Jausenstation Krummbachrast (snacks), from where hikers with stamina can take the trail via the Nöckentalalm to the Isskogel top station.
The Wildgerlos Valley For a nice peaceful hike (3 hrs.) take the trail around the Gerlos Water Sports Center Durlassboden. From here you climb past the Leitenkammerklamm (gorge) to the picturesque Zittauer Hut (2,329 m) on Wildgerlossee (lake). Or you can stop for a snack at the Gasthof Finkau with its impressive view of the 3,300 m peaks of the Reichenspitzgruppe and then walk back along the reservoir past the Jausenstation Bärschlagalm (snacks) to the Seestüberl on the crest of the dam. At the foot of the dam is a parking area, or you can cross the road and take the trail through Inner Valley back to Gerlos.
Gerloser Wiesenweg Path The hike along the Gerlos Wiesenweg path begins in the district of Innertal at the car park for the Isskogel Valley Station. Before reaching Krummbach Bridge, the road leads to the left past Landhaus Platzer. After approximately 100 m, this paved road turns to the right. Follow the Gerlos Wiesenweg uphill to reach the refreshment station, "Rösslalm", comfortably in approximately 1 hour. From here, a marked hiking path runs for around 40 minutes across lush Alpine meadows and past the "Isskogel" to a refreshment break at the "Latschenalm" pasture. |      |
