Gurgler Alm goats
| Start | Obergurgl (1927m) |
| Valley base | Obergurgl |
| Distance | 7.5km (one way) |
| Height gain | 503m |
| Grade | 2–3 |
| Time | 2½hrs (+ 2hrs return) |
| Location | In the Gurglertal SW of Obergurgl |
A natural extension of Route 16, this walk leads to a traditional mountain hut situated on a spur high in the Gurglertal. It was formerly known as the Karlsruher Hut, in Cecil Davies’s guide which preceded the present volume (Mountain Walking in Austria), and he described it as ‘overlooking the great ice-fall of the Gurgl Glacier’. But he was there in the 1960s, and since then glacial recession has led to the glacier’s complete disappearance from the hut’s view. It was on that glacier (in the days when it extended much farther down the valley) that Auguste Piccard and his companion crash-landed their balloon in May 1931 after making the first flight into the stratosphere.
Follow directions given in Route 16 to reach the Schönwies Hut (1½hrs), then take the continuing dirt road/track beyond as it rises to a broad grassy saddle with splendid views back through the Rotmoostal. In just 2mins from the hut, note the path breaking to the left, signed to the Hangerer (in 2½hrs), and 2mins beyond this another path to the right, leading to the viewpoint of the Schönwiesskopf (a 15min diversion).
The 3021m Hangerer can be clearly seen from Obergurgl as an obvious pointed mountain – as you draw closer the summit cross can also be seen. The ascent is steep but not difficult, with a path virtually all the way to the top. Summit views are said to be excellent.
Gurgler Alm goats
Across the saddle the track descends, then curves along the east flank of the Gurglertal and past the tiny building of the Gurgler Alm (2255m). From here you should be able to see a building on a shoulder some way ahead, with the track rising to it. This is not the Langtalereck Hut, but an old customs hut, now locked and unused. The track contours beyond the Gurgler Alm, then twists up the slope ahead, passes to the left of the customs hut, then drops down to the Langtalereck Hut about 1hr after leaving the Schönwies Hut. Instead of a large glacier in view, the outlook is now dominated by slabs of red rock that flank both sides of the Gurglertal. The narrow Langental, with the Hochwilde at its head, cuts back into the mountains behind the hut.
Built by the Karlsruhe section of the DAV in 1929/30, the Langtalereck Hut (2430m) has 22 beds and 45 dormitory places, and is fully staffed from March to the beginning of May, and from the end of June to the end of September (tel 0664 5268655).