Kitzbuhel to Gr Gebra via Aurach, Hochwildalmhutte and Return
Austria
Distance 25km Climb 1300m
Saturday 16th August 2014
After breakfast we set off, it was rather damp and overcast when we started walking today. The walk took us south east from the Hotel Edelweiss down the road onto the walk to Aurach.
The river was full and fast flowing, following the heavy rain over the last few days. At Aurach we turned east, crossed a bridge over the river and headed up towards the main road. Crossing the main road near a backeri we continued east and took the road up to Oberaurach, following signs for the Wildpark. At Oberaurach we passed the two interesting looking churches.
From Oberaurach we followed the signs to the Wildpark, continuing east, this took us up on the road, there was no path as we started a steady climb up.
When we reached the Wildpark car park this was where we were going to separate, Anne turned left towards the Wildpark. I continued walking through the car park, where I crossed a stream that flowed across the road.
It had been raining off and on all day but now things were starting to clear and it was really very warm, So I had to take my coat off. A party of four walkers passed me and were flying up the hill. The route took me up by the road, although in parts paths turned off the road to cut off corners and crossed steeply up the hill across the country.
At one place where the route moves off the road it reaches the cross at Nieder-Wildalm, 1360m where the views were stunning.
As I moved up the path and onto a narrow country path, I saw the walking group ahead and above me on another path. After about 700m the path crosses a road and starts climbing up to Hochwildalmhutte at a height of 1557m. The other group had stopped at Hochwildalmhutte.
Klaus had told me previously of a famous footballer who lives and owns the Hochwildalmhutte, I had problems remembering his name so when I got back to the hotel I asked Klaus to write it down. It was Wolfgang Feiersinger and he had played for Borussia Dormund when they had won the Champions League in 1997. Klaus said I should have called in to see Wolfgang.
I had reached the Hochwildalmhutte last year where I saw a number of tops I would like to walk up. This year I was going to get at least one in. The view this year was different as I could not see any of the tops due to the low cloud cover. The ground was very wet, slippery in places. I could see this waterfall across the valley and you can see the amount of water falling.
With the low cloud it was difficult to follow the route so I had to take care. Just past Hochwildalmhutte is the junction for Bischof and Gr Gebra. I decided to walk up Gr Gebra. The path climbed up north west, twisting and turning. There was a steep climb up over a ridge and I was in another high valley. The low cloud was still obscuring the views up.
Another quick short steep climb north and I was in another high valley. This was brilliant.
In places the sky's cleared and the views were brilliant.
At one point I could almost see the top. Then the cloud lowered again.
I reached the top of Gr Gebra (Gebraranken) 2057m and could not see a thing. Best to turn back.
In places it was steep and so I took my time coming down. A few meters down I turned and looked up, the view had cleared,
Going down, it did not take long to reach the path above Hochwildalmhutte. As I approached a walker passed me and was heading up the route.
The walking group who had stopped at Hochwildalmhutte started down hill just ahead of me.
I passed them at Niederwildalm. It started raining on my way down, so it was time to put my coat back on. It did not take long to reach Aurach, then walk back to Kitzbuhel where I met Anne.
Today we made it for tea and cakes at the Hotel Edelweiss. It had been another good day walking. Approx. 25km with 1300m climb.
I took this photo of Gr Gebra from the Kitzbuheller Horn a few days later when the sky was clear.
More to follow
Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.
If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done in Austria or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.
Previous walk in Austria Aschau to Schwarzkogel
Next walk in Austria Kitzbuhel to Kitzbuheler Horn Cross
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