Ehrwald lies right at the foot of the Wetterstein Mountains, which include the 2,962-meter-high Zugspitze. Several excursions lead up from Ehrwald or the Ehrwalder Alm area; others explore trails along the Gaisbach or cultural topics in the valley. When planning, it is worth distinguishing between a stroll, a summer hike, a challenging mountain tour, and a cultural program.
Hiking and Mountain Excursions
The 8-person Ehrwalder Almbahn gondola takes visitors from Ehrwald to the mountain station at an elevation of 1,500 meters. Hiking, mountaineering, and mountain biking tours start from there; a stroll to the Almsee is also possible. In the Ehrwalder Alm area, a summer hike leads to the Seebensee, from where the route can be continued to the Drachensee. This means you can choose between a stroll to the Almsee and a hike that can be extended to the Drachensee as different excursion options. The lift’s operating days and hours vary by season. Check the current timetable before planning your excursion.
The “Zugspitzi am Gaisbach” water adventure trail is a loop along the Gaisbach toward the Seeben Waterfall, returning via the alpine meadows. If you prefer to plan a loop with a described return route rather than a hike that can be extended, you can include this trail in your selection.
The Gatterl Tour is laid out differently: it leads on foot from Ehrwald over the Gatterl to the Zugspitze. It is suitable only for experienced mountaineers who are sure-footed, have no fear of heights, are in good physical condition, and have appropriate equipment. Check the route conditions before setting out.
Winter Slopes and Trail Ratings
The Ehrwalder Alm ski area has a total of 27.5 kilometers of ski slopes at elevations of 1,100 to 1,900 meters and includes 13 varied runs. Slope information can change as the ski area develops, so check your plans against the current winter trail map. The illuminated valley run of the Ehrwalder Almbahn is also used for sledding. It is three kilometers long. If you plan to go sledding, check the current operating information and conditions in advance.
At the Ehrwalder Wettersteinbahnen, the ratings of two trails differ significantly: the “Blue Bird Trail” is rated easy, while the “Bare Knuckle Trail” is rated difficult. This is a specific difference in difficulty. The ratings are provided by the operator; conditions and operating status may change. Check the latest information before planning to ride the trails.
Culture and Local Customs
“Bergfeuer Ehrwald” is a social practice in Tyrol and was added to Austria’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010. Another annual custom is Scheibenschlagen: it is one of the oldest Alpine Carnival traditions and takes place in Ehrwald every year on the first Sunday after Ash Wednesday. Its fixed date makes the custom a specific seasonal occasion for a visit.
The museums also offer different points of interest. The “Museum im Spinnhof” began operating as a museum in its current premises on June 21, 2020. In the valley, the “BAHNORAMA anno 1926” cable car museum displays the original cable car drive and a historic operator’s cabin. Alongside mountain trails, the program therefore also includes cultural and technical subjects.
Planning Your Journey and Accommodation
The valley stations of the two lifts near Ehrwald can be reached by car, train, and bus. If traveling by public transport, it is advisable to check the current timetables. If you are looking for a hotel in Ehrwald, first decide which activities you want to shape your stay: the summer hike to the Seebensee, the winter slopes, and the date of Scheibenschlagen offer different seasonal highlights.
Discover more destinations: Berwang, Reutte, Wängle, Schattwald, Hinterbichl, Boden, Hinterhornbach, Breitenwang.
Go to the main travel overview: Reutte.
