KAT Walk Alpine stage 6

Variety-packed hike to asecluded plateau with various karst formations and dry Alpine pastures. Areas of mountain pine, lots of areas of mixed forest and yet again extensive views to all four points of the compass complete this mountain adventure. The route proceeds over steep paths, pastureland paths and normal paths and is classified as medium difficulty level. In the final third of the tour there is also the option to enjoy a refreshment stop in the traditional Winterstelleralm.

Preliminary notes: With the Okto Hiking Bus to the hiking start Baumooskogel at the hamlet Scheffau, the KAT Walk Alpine stage 6 is reduced to 16 km, 6 hours duration and 740 m elevation gain. The Okto Hiking Bus runs from Monday to Friday. Information and timetable: Okto Hiking Bus 

From the town centre in St. Johann in Tirol hike past the front section of the Dekanatspfarrkirche (church) heading for the hamlet of Oberhofen. Once you come to Wieshoferbridge – shortly after the statue of St. Nepomuk – bear right on to a side street to then get to Achendamm. The first section to the left proceeds from Achendamm to the farming hamlet of Oberhofen. Impressive Unterinntal farmsteads line the route.

If you follow the signposts for Kalkstein, you will pass a trotting track and then come to the highest hamlet in St. Johann in Tirol. At around 900 metres altitude, at the hamlet of Scheffau, take a right at a gate and follow a forest path to Kalkstein, Adlerspoint. Continue straight up on this, via several bends, until the path dips into the forest. After two bends, you come to a junction at around 1,120m, where you then take a left on a steep path heading for Adlerspoint. Now head up the ridge, following the red-white-red ground markings through alternating forest and pasture terrain, up to the saddle beneath the Baumooskogel. At the junction for the Baumooskogel bear right, continuing down to Baumoosalm.

From the inn, head down on the normal path for a short section, then climb to Bruggwirtsalm (1,356 m). Keep following the signposts for Adlerspoint, hiking through the Alpine area until you get to a former mountain guesthouse (1,419 m, 3 hrs 30 mins from St. Johann i. T. town centre). After a short section continue on a forest trail, until a steep path bears left, heading for Kirchberg.

This proceeds initially through an area of mountain pine and later into open Alpine landscape, where you then come to the highest point of the tour at around 1,550 metres altitude.

Again follow this path which goes slightly downhill and then becomes a pasture path, leading down to the Gerstbergalm (1,501 m). Behind the inn go straight on through a little valley, continuing to Winterstelleralm.

The route proceeds, with no ascent worthy of mention, up to the saddle above Winterstelleralm (refreshments available).On the path down to the Alm, where a refreshment stop is worthwhile (1,423 m, 1 hr 15 mins from Adlerspoint).

After Winterstelleralm follow the forest road into the valley to Lindtalalm /St. Ulrich. At Lindtalalm take a right turn, heading left to Latschenbad / St. Ulrich.
Cross over mountain slope/ Alpine pasture, with the path initially heading slightly uphill and then down to St. Ulrich am Pillersee.

The hiking path merges into an old forest road. Follow this until you come to an asphalt road (heading to MACK mountain pine oil distillery). Go left here, following the road for around 100 m, before bearing right on to a pasture trail to the centre of St. Ulrich a. P.

Pass the church and you will come to the centre of the village and the finish of the KAT Walk, outside Raiffeisenbank St. Ulrich am Pillersee.