ROUTE 20

Gries-im-Sulztal (1569m) – Winnebachsee Hut (2361m)

Start	Gries-im-Sulztal (1569m)
Valley base	Längenfeld or Gries
Distance	5km (one way)
Height gain	792m
Grade	3
Time	2½hrs (+1½–2hrs return)
Location	Northeast of Gries

The approach to the Winnebachsee Hut is persistently steep, but as almost every step is uphill, height is quickly gained. The hut is popular with day visitors, so don’t expect to have the path to yourself.

At the eastern end of Gries walk up the side road which rises between hay meadows, then makes a couple of turns to reach the buildings of Winnebach (1692m, accommodation and refreshments) after about 20mins. The road ends by a large barn, with a footpath rising behind it, soon giving views onto the rooftops of Gries. It’s a broad and well-made path that twists up the wooded slopes of the narrow Winnebachtal.

The way is clear throughout, and there are no junctions to watch out for. Above the forest the path cuts through dwarf pine, then angles across scree, turns a bend and enters an upper level of the Winnebach Alm. Across the flat meadows the spectacular Bachfalle waterfall streaks the opposite wall. For a short spell the path eases across the left-hand slope, then the gradient steepens, with a few twists to gain the hut.

The Winnebachsee Hut and its little tarn

The Winnebachsee Hut (2361m) occupies a position at the southern end of the little lake after which it is named. Above the lake rocky peaks curve in a horseshoe, several of which exceed 3000m. Built in 1901, it’s a small, traditional hut with very fine views from the terrace. There are 8 beds and 40 dormitory places, and it’s fully staffed from March to the beginning of May, and from the end of June to mid-October (tel 05253 5197).

Routes from the Winnebachsee Hut

• Making a circuit of the Winnebachsee is a natural temptation, but beware that whilst it is possible, a path only goes along the west bank, and crossing the powerful stream that feeds the lake at its northern end involves the use of semi-submerged rocks. Caution is advised. Allow 30–40mins.
• The ascent of the 2914m Gänsekragen west of the hut by a very steep path will take about 1½–2hrs. The summit is marked by a cross, and the views are impressive – especially to the glacier-clad Ötztal Alps.
• Northeast of the hut, the Winnebachjoch (2782m) provides a way over the mountains to the Westfalenhaus in the Längental stem of the Lüsenstal (3½hrs). In the words of Cecil Davies, the way is long and laborious to the joch, but without difficulty on descent to the Westfalenhaus.