Ski Touring recommended route

Ski tour: To the Steinmandl

Ski Touring · Kleinwalsertal
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  • Winterlandschaft Melköde
    Winterlandschaft Melköde
    Photo: Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen | Fotograf: Oliver Farys, CC BY-ND, Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen | Fotograf: Oliver Farys
A nature experience for experienced tourers in Schwarzwassertal with a route entirely in the spirit of "experiencing nature consciously".
moderate
Distance 15.7 km
3:45 h
748 m
749 m
1,980 m
1,240 m
The ski tour on the Steinmandl (1,982 m) is a tour on the local mountain of the Schwarzwasserhütte. The tour offers ideal ski slopes for beginners, and the tour can also be combined with other peaks. Due to the long Talhatscher, an overnight stay at the Schwarzwassertalhütte is ideal.

The Schwarzwassertal is also popular with winter hikers in winter. Particularly on the first section to the Schwarzwasserhütte, a little more consideration for the other winter sports enthusiasts is required on the ascent and descent. Then enough space and enjoyment of nature is guaranteed for everyone.

Consciously experiencing nature stands for a respectful coexistence among winter sports enthusiasts and towards nature. The route described takes into account the designated winter sanctuary in the Schwarzwassertal.

Author’s recommendation

Be sure to take a camera with you, the Herzsee is a great photo opportunity.
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Author
Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen
Update: March 03, 2023
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
1,980 m
Lowest point
1,240 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Asphalt 1.12%Dirt road 24.61%Forested/wild trail 47.65%Path 1.92%Unknown 24.67%
Asphalt
0.2 km
Dirt road
3.9 km
Forested/wild trail
7.5 km
Path
0.3 km
Unknown
3.9 km
Show elevation profile

Rest stops

Schwarzwasserhütte

Safety information

In particular the steep grass slopes in the upper area require a safe avalanche situation, so take the avalanche report into account! The specified GPS track is only a suggestion. No liability can be assumed for the correctness of the information. Away from secured pistes, everyone is responsible for finding out about alpine dangers, especially avalanches. Ski touring in alpine terrain is always at your own risk. Weather and snow conditions may make changes to the route necessary. For experienced ski tourers.

 

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

  • 140 Alpine Emergencies Austria wide 
  • 144 Alpine Emergencies Vorarlberg 
  • 112 Euro-Emergencies (works with every mobile network)

www.vorarlberg.travel/safety-tips

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

Hirschegg (1,240 m)
Coordinates:
DD
47.343731, 10.146197
DMS
47°20'37.4"N 10°08'46.3"E
UTM
32T 586579 5243999
w3w 
///attempt.unimportant.computers

Destination

Hirschegg

Turn-by-turn directions

Ascent

The tour starts at the Ifen - Schwarzwassertal car park, which can be easily reached by bus (see "Arrival"). First we follow the forest path on the Schwarzwasserbach, following the winter hiking trail, to the Schwarzwasserhütte (refreshment stops, approx. 1,620m). We climb up to the summit via the wide east ridge, which is just behind the hut.

 

Descent

The easier descent is along the ascent track. If the conditions are safe, there is also a steeper / nicer descent through the troughs to the left of the east ridge in the ascending direction. When we arrive at the Schwarzwasserhütte, we have to push a little further out of the valley.

Public transport

Public-transport-friendly

Leave the car where it is!

The Walserbus is a convenient way to reach your starting point. Take line 1 to the Riezlern Post stop, where you change to line 5 "Ifen" and get off at the "Ifen" endstation.

>>> Walserbus timetable

 

By road

When arriving by car, form car pools.

Most routes from Germany meet in Ulm and continue on the A7. At the Allgäu motorway triangle via the section of the A980 to the Waltenhofen junction and on the four-lane B19 via Sonthofen and Oberstdorf into the Kleinwalsertal.

From Austria (Vorarlberg) and Switzerland you can reach the Kleinwalsertal via the Bregenzerwald (Hittisau) - Riedbergpass - Fischen - Oberstdorf.

Coming from Tirol, the quickest route is via the A7 to Kempten and further on the B19 towards Oberstdorf. You do not need a motorway vignette to drive into the valley.

Parking

There are chargeable parking spaces near the starting point. 

Parking along the main road is not permitted.

Coordinates

DD
47.343731, 10.146197
DMS
47°20'37.4"N 10°08'46.3"E
UTM
32T 586579 5243999
w3w 
///attempt.unimportant.computers
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

Author’s map recommendations

For the planning of ski tours we recommend the maps of the German Alpine Club.

Equipment

Careful planning, study the avalanche report:(https://vorarlberg.at/web/land-vorarlberg/contentdetailseite/-/asset_publisher/qA6AJ38txu0k/content/lawinenwarndienst), for an avalanche emergency: avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe (standard), risk assessments on site always undertake, complete ski touring training.

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Difficulty
moderate
Distance
15.7 km
Duration
3:45 h
Ascent
748 m
Descent
749 m
Highest point
1,980 m
Lowest point
1,240 m
Public-transport-friendly Out and back Scenic Refreshment stops available Summit route suitable for snowboards Forest roads Clear area Forest Naturally on tour (DAV-initiative)

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  • 4 Waypoints
  • 4 Waypoints
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