Hiking trail recommended route

Round trip Gemstel

· 7 reviews · Hiking trail · Kleinwalsertal
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Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen Verified partner  Explorers Choice 
  • Start der Tour in Mittelberg Bödmen
    Start der Tour in Mittelberg Bödmen
    Photo: Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen, Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen
A pleasant walk into the Gemsteltal, a side valley of the Kleinwalsertal. Plenty of resting points and refreshments stops along the way and in the midst of the mountains of Elfer, Zwölfer and Small Widderstein.
easy
Distance 5.6 km
2:00 h
173 m
173 m
1,293 m
1,150 m
Even on hot days, this hike is a refreshment! For a while, we leisurely walk along the rushing Breitach and the shady banks of Gemstelbach. Then the louder ringing of the cow bells tells us: The pleasure hut Schönebodenalpe is not far away anymore. In Naturalpe's natural fridge refreshing drinks are waiting for thirsty hikers. From the spacious sun terrace, we can enjoy the panorama of the Kleiner Widderstein, the Bärenkopf and the Walmendingerhorn. If you prefer to overlook the valley from the other side, walk another 10 minutes to Bernhard's Gemstelhütte or a little further into the back Gemstelhütte. Here you have the mountain scenery of Zwölfer, Elfer and Geißhorn in view. The Gemstelbach right hand, it goes back comfortably to Mittelberg.

Author’s recommendation

Get a sneek peek at the smoker on the Schönesboden alp and taste the result of it afterwards!
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Author
Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen
Update: March 03, 2023
Difficulty
easy
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
1,293 m
Lowest point
1,150 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Show elevation profile

Rest stops

Gemstelhof store
Bernhard's Gemstelalp
Naturalpe Gemstel-Schönesboden
Hintere Gemstelhütte

Safety information

EMERGENCY: 
140 Alpine Emergencies Austria wide 
144 Alpine Emergencies Vorarlberg 
112 Euro-Emergencies (works with every mobile network) 
     
www.vorarlberg.travel/sicherheitstipps

Tips and hints

How do you consciously experience nature?

 

Nature is so much more than the backdrop for unforgettable mountain experiences. It is a habitat for animals and plants. It provides drinking water and supplies us with high quality food. Not only does it provide valuable raw materials such as wood, it also protects against avalanches and mudslides and regulates the climate. It is up to us to support nature in everything that it does for us. One thing is certain, together we can achieve more:

 

Smart in NATURE

CONSCIOUS together

EXPERIENCE foresight

 

Smart in NATURE

Take a deep breath and recharge your batteries, be outside and feel free. When we enjoy nature, we are guests in the living room of shy animals and rare plants. If you behave smart, they will be happy to share their living space with you in the future too.

 

Stay on paths and marked routes

If you follow the marked paths and routes, you are sure to come to new favorite places. In this way you also respect protected areas, because many animals and plants need special protection. Especially in winter, any disturbance unnecessarily costs the wild animals the strength they need to survive.

 

Avoiding twilight times

Standing on a mountain at sunrise is a special experience. The morning and evening hours are also the time when most wild animals are in search of food. If they are disturbed, they get stressed. If it cannot be avoided, please stay on the marked path, do not use a bright headlamp and enjoy the silence.

 

Stay clean & take rubbish with you

It goes without saying: You take rubbish with you again, on the mountain and in the valley. Please also organic waste, because it is composted much more slowly at altitude. You can dispose of the rubbish properly at home or in your accommodation - please remember that there are no rubbish bins in public spaces in Kleinwalsertal.

 

On the natural toilet

If you are looking for a quiet place, please be at least 50 m away from water. Bury excrement or cover it with a large stone. Use fallen leaves or recycled toilet paper and put the paper back in the trash bag.

 

On tour with a dog

Are you always in control of your four-legged partner, even if he gets his nose for marmots, deer or other wild animals? You are both on the safe side on a leash. Keep dogs on a short leash near grazing cattle. If an attack by a grazing animal is foreseeable: leash off immediately. There are numerous dog stations in the valley for the disposal of dog bags. The farmers and alpine farmers thank you because manure in meadows and fields contaminates the feed and makes grazing cattle sick.

 

CONSCIOUS to each other

 

Consideration for other athletes and those looking for relaxation

Everyone loves to enjoy a special piece of earth for themselves. But most of the time we are not traveling alone. No problem, because there is enough space. Allow time, open the way in an accommodating manner, provide support when someone needs help and always give a smile. So nothing stands in the way of friendly cooperation and relaxed enjoyment of nature.

 

Appreciating the preservation of the cultural landscape

Alpine landscapes are touching with their contrast: Imposing peaks and natural forests alternate with gentle valleys, well-tended meadows and pastures. In the Kleinwalsertal too, this delightful landscape at three altitudes is no coincidence, but the result of an interplay of natural and cultural landscapes. Behind this is the work of farmers, alpine and forestry as well as hunters. With their work, they ensure that the attractiveness of the recreation and leisure area and the diversity of species are preserved. We already say thank you if we stay on the marked trails and enjoy regional products.

 

EXPERIENCE farsighted

 

Safe on tour - for you and others

Whether on a ski or snowshoe tour in winter or on a mountain tour in summer, anyone who is out and about in alpine terrain has to be well prepared. This includes careful information and tour planning as well as the right equipment. Correctly assessing alpine dangers requires a lot of knowledge and experience. Why not learn from professionals and go on tour with one of the experienced guides?

Start

Mittelberg (1,163 m)
Coordinates:
DD
47.315133, 10.145757
DMS
47°18'54.5"N 10°08'44.7"E
UTM
32T 586592 5240821
w3w 
///sues.blimp.hang

Destination

Mittelberg

Turn-by-turn directions

From the car park or from the bus station in Bödmen (Mittelberg), we turn to the Gemstelweg. Past the farmer's shop Gemstelhof we enter the silent valley crossing the Breitach bridge. After the bridge we keep left, follow the Breitach downriver first, then the Gemstelbach upstream. Follow the signs direction Schönesbodenalpe. The forest / gravel road rises a little but is still suitable for kids buggies. After a shady path section the forest thins out slowly. Nature Alp Schönisboden lies just above the path. Once we crossed the bridge with cattle gate we return on the other side of the creek. After five minutes we reach "Bernhards Gemstelhütte", which is perfect for a stop. We leave the valley, hiking along the already familiar Gemstel creek on moderately steep gravel paths. Left we pass large pastures until at the bridge we are back on the path that takes us to the starting point.

Public transport

Public-transport-friendly

Leave the car where it is!

The Walserbus is a convenient way to reach your starting point. Line 1 takes you to the village Mittelberg. For this tour you need to get off at the bus stop "Gemse".

>>> Timetable Walserbus

By road

Most routes from Germany lead to Ulm before carrying on along the A7. Take the Allgäu junction over a section of the A980 to the Waltenhofen junction, then take the 4- lane B19 via Sonthofen and Oberstdorf to Kleinwalsertal. From Austria (Vorarlberg) and Switzerland you reach the Kleinwalsertal via the Bregenzerwald (Hittisau) – Riedbergpass – Fischen – Oberstdorf. From Tyrol the fastest route is over the A7 to Kempten carrying on along the B19 direction Oberstdorf. A motorway vignette is not required to reach the valley.

Parking

A parking area (fee required) is located at the end of the Bödmerstraße direction Baad.

Coordinates

DD
47.315133, 10.145757
DMS
47°18'54.5"N 10°08'44.7"E
UTM
32T 586592 5240821
w3w 
///sues.blimp.hang
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

Author’s map recommendations

Nature experience map, scale 1:12,000; Kleinwalsertal tour map (with hiking guide), scale 1:25,000; DAV hiking map, scale 1:25,000; the respective cards are available for a fee in the Walserhaus Hirschegg.

Equipment

Sturdy boots and hiking poles for steep passages recommended.

Questions and answers

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Rating

4.6
(7)
Ernst Büetiger
August 07, 2022 · Community
sehr schöne leichte wanderung
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When did you do this route? July 06, 2022
Nadine Baumann
August 09, 2021 · Community
Es ist eine sehr schöne, relativ kurze und nicht sehr anspruchsvolle Tour. Kann man gut vor oder nach einer großen Tour machen. Allerdings war, bedingt durch Hochsaison, sehr viel los.
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When did you do this route? August 09, 2021
Photo: Nadine Baumann, Community
Photo: Nadine Baumann, Community
Photo: Nadine Baumann, Community
Bernd Stötzel 
June 20, 2020 · Community
Sehr schöne Taltour, auch gut bei schlechtem Wetter zu gehen.
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When did you do this route? June 19, 2020
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Reviews
Difficulty
easy
Distance
5.6 km
Duration
2:00 h
Ascent
173 m
Descent
173 m
Highest point
1,293 m
Lowest point
1,150 m
Public-transport-friendly Circular route Scenic Refreshment stops available Family-friendly Dog-friendly Suitable for strollers

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  • 6 Waypoints
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