KAT WALK FAMILY
MediumDiscover impressive locations at almost 50 km and 3.200 m of altitude in rise, like the magnificent view from the Hausberg in Waidring, the natural beatuty of lake Pillersee, the Jakobskreuz at the top of Buchensteinwand and the lake Wildseelodersee.
1st stage: Waidring – Hausberg / Schaflberg / Kirchberg – St. Jakob in Haus
The first stage starts in Waidring. The historic “traffic juncton” was an important nodal point for many carters and stagecoach travellers. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and even emperor Franz Josef stopped at the Gasthof Post in Waidring.
First the trail leads through a traditional mixed forest up to the Hausberg. Once the summit is reached the view wanders from Fellhorn to the Steinplatte. The red gondolas of the Bergbahnen Steinplatte will transport hikers from the valley up to the primeval coral reef which is today a great hiking plateau. Not only young visitors can playfully explore the prehistoric times at Triassic Park. From the Hausberg in Waidring you walk through the wildly romantic Weissbach canyon to the Alpengasthof Oberweißbach where a magnificent view of the Steinplatte invites you to your first stop. Passing the Rechensau chapel walk over wide alpine pastures and mountain pine fields to the Schaflberg and Kirchberg. Again and again you will enjoy a panoramic view between the mountain pines in all directions and the tranquillity of the mountains. The road leads down to the Winterstelleralm where you meet Anni Waltl, the milkmaid of the alm. She is not only looking after the cows, but also serves a great “Brettljause” (tyrolen snack) to the hikers. From the Winterstelleralm walk down the forest to Schartental and Schwendt (both districts of St. Ulrich am Pillersee) towards St. Jakob in Haus. A very particular place is waiting just before the stage finish – the hamlet Flecken! Beautiful old farmhouses are set around the village fountain – the evidence of living tradition. Along the way one sees the Jakobskreuz on top of the Buchensteinwand and down in the valley one walks the last meters along the Jakobsweg (pilgrim path) to the stage finish in St. Jakob in Haus.
Stage 1: "comfortable" version; Waidring – Pillersee – St. Jakob in Haus
For those who want to take it easy, a "comfortable" version to get started!
The first section is the same as in Stage 1. It leads from Waidring to the Hausberg mountain, the Weißbach canyon towards Oberweißbach. The Alpengasthof (restaurant) invites for a fist stop with a magnificent view to the Steinplatte mountain range. Then the path leads towards Rechensau chapel, where one takes the track to St. Adolari am Pillersee. The Gothic, small pilgrimage church is dedicated to Saint Adolar and goes back to the year 1407th. Cross the street and continue in the direction of Pillersee. The outlets of the lake can be seen from here, the whole splendor of our "eponym" reveals itself after a few minutes. The Pillersee shines green and with its great colour it reveals the rather "modest" water temperatures even in midsummer. Without getting wet it can be admired from a paddle boat or the small floating stage. The path continues towards the south. On the other side of the lake stands the church of St. Ulrich am Pillersee and on the Buchensteinwand you catch a sight of the Jokboskreuz for the first time. From the district Schwendt the route runs the same way as in stage 1.
Stage 2: St. Jakob in Haus – Buchensteinwand - Wildseelodersee
The second stage leads from St. Jakob in Haus via the "Katzeneck", (as the direct route is called by the locals), the Buchensteinwand, where the first highlight of the tour is waiting! The 30 m high and fully accessible Jakobskreuz! The view from the Buchensteinwand to the surrounding mountains is impressive. This view is best enjoyed from the top platform of the cross. Comfortably with the elevator or via stairs this platform can be reached from the inside. Again and again exhibitions decorate the spaces inside the cross and the telescopes on the panoramic platforms describe the surrounding peaks. In western direction walk first towards Tennalm. Above the lift station the path leads to the left to Fieberbrunn and the district of Buchau. The direction Walchau is the next spot to look for and the valley station of the Streuböden lift (red gondola). The Krottenweg, goes up to Lärchfilzhochalm. Here the hiking area is wide again. Large mountain pastures and huts are accessible by a forest road that leads up to the Wildalm. Now the final climb is in front of you - the path towards Wildseelodersee, the second highlight of the tour. The weatherboarded hut is visible from the far and raises the anticipation of Tyrolean hospitality! The higher you get, the farther is the view. Wilder Kaiser, Leogang and Loferer Steinberg and the peaks of Wildseeloder and Henne. Along the last meters on the path the Wildseeloderhaus is already very close and on the left side you can see a small chapel. Up there the Wildseelodersee "appears"! Deep black-blue it nestles between Wildseeloder and Henne. The legend says that alpine dairymans lived in sin and abundance and were punished by a flood. Far down in the Hörndlinger Graben at a small waterfall - the Schreienden Brunnen(screaming fountain) – even today the cries of the drowned people can be heared there. In the small rowing boat, which is on the shore of the lake, you can explore the lake by yourself. At the finish of the second day look down at Fieberbrunn, the Buchensteinwand with the Jakobskruez and the ascent to Wildseelodersee and look forward to culinary delights and a night at the Wildseeloderhaus.
Stage 3: From the Wildseelodersee to the Wildseeloder summit and down to Fieberbrunn
The third stage of the "WaiWi" starts up here at the Wildseelodersee! Energized by a delicious mountain breakfast the day starts with the steep climb up to the right of the alpine hut to the Wildseeloder summit, or “Loder” as the locals call it. Leaving the lake behind, you walk through a rock gate which will open a whole new view over the mountains. Walk along the ridge and reach the peak from the south side. The ultimate goal of the tour is reached! From Waidring to the Wildseeloder whos peak is 2.118 m above sea level and whos summit-cross is made of the last “Pillersee-Stahl” (steel). In the middle of the Kitzbühler Alps the views are unlimited! It’s now time to pause and to look back on the WaiWi with all its highlights before starting the last part of this amazing route – the path down to Fieberbrunn! Via Seenieder and the Wildalm the path takes you down to the valley. A stop at the Wildalpgatterl (restaurant) pays off in any case. Artistry meets tradition and coziness. Bread is made in the stone oven, the meat is from the neighbouring farmers and berries and herbs from the garden.
The descent runs further along the forest road down to the middle station of the Bergbahnen Fieberbrunn. Just behind the Streuböden Alm the path extends to an adventure playground for adults and children in the nature. Timoks Alm with its adventure path, an alpine coaster and a low rope garden are part of it. On the right side of the alpine coaster the road continues towards the storage pond and down the left towards “Brent” and the Lauchsee. The first direct route downhill merges into an asphalt road. Here above the Lauchsee you look towards the Pletzergraben. In the 16th century mining was flourishing in Fieberbrunn. In summer and winter the miners took the long and dangerous way and extracted the well known Pillerseetal steel. The St. Daniel chapel can be seen at the end of the valley on a hill. 1975 the chapel was rebuilt in honour of the miners.
The last 2.5 km of the WaiWi are ahead of you. Past the bathing lake Lauchsee and reach the town centre of Fieberbrunn after some bends. On the way to the village square you discover two cultural sculptures. One is Margarethe Maultasch, a duchess – she was sick with a fever and was cured by the water of the village fountain. This fountain became the namesake of Fieberbrunn (Fieber = fever, brunn = fountain). The other one shows a miner.
WaiWi ends on the square infront of the community centre. The peak of the Wildseeloder looks down on you and the WaiWi is done! Time to review the impressions on the 3 day hike through the PillerseeTal.
