5 Via Ferratas/Iron Ways by the water in Tirol

Mountain biking to the Steig

From the village of Walchsee or from the car park at the sports ground, a wide forest track leads gently uphill towards the Kaiserwinkel climbing arena. At a leisurely pace, you pass the Riederalm, where curious goats watch you go as you ride past their pasture.

Carry on towards the Ottenalm – the Starting Point for the Via Ferrata/Iron Way routes. After a good hour, it’s time to park your bikes and swap your Mountain biking helmet for a climbing helmet. If you like, you can put on your harness and Via Ferrata/Iron Way set straight away; the access to the foot of the cliff takes just a few minutes.

Before the tour: Check your status

The condition of Via Ferratas/Iron Ways is constantly changing. In our area database, the Ottenalm Direttissima and the Ottenalm Walchsee Circuit are currently listed as closed – but such entries often lag behind the reality, for example when maintenance is still pending or the route has simply not yet been re-approved.

So, have a quick check with the Kaiserwinkel Tourist Board or the Ottenalm before you pack your mountain bikes. It takes two minutes and saves you an hour of cycling along forest tracks for nothing.

1. Ottenalm Direttissima (D/E) – steep, even steeper

The Ottenalm Direttissima has a distance of just 180 metres, but it involves an altitude gain of 130 metres – including two short overhanging sections and several vertical passages. And as if that weren’t enough, the route’s designers have chosen not to include any footholds.

By now, at the very least, it should be clear: this route is challenging and definitely not suitable for children or beginners. Climbing experience pays off, as do comfortable climbing shoes. Anyone with experience, arm strength, stamina and good footwork will have a brilliant time.

Depending on your level of fitness, you can reach the summit – complete with seating and panoramic views – in 45 minutes. The descent follows a very well-maintained trail, where a sign points towards the Glocknerblick – depending on visibility, you can actually see the eternal ice of the Glockner summit glistening. After 20 minutes, you’ll be back at the Ottenalm.

2. Bergkameradensteig (C/D) – you’ll have to cross two rope bridges

At the Ottenalm, we take the same access path again to the foot of the 1,117-metre-high Harauer Spitze and this time head for the start of theBergkameradensteig. This isn’t an easy Via Ferrata/Iron Way either, though there are integrated footrests, which make it easier to get through one or two sections.

Particularly exciting: the crossing of the two rope bridges – one of which bears the telling name ‘Schluchtenscheißerl’. In total, the route covers 310 metres and 170 metres of altitude gain; two sections are Easy overhanging, which really gets your arm muscles pumping.

Depending on how busy it is, it takes a good hour to an hour and a half to reach the summit ridge of the Harauer Spitze. The view of the Hochmoor Schwemm, a natural landmark, makes the effort worthwhile – as does the knowledge that in just over 20 minutes you’ll be sitting on the sun terrace of the Ottenalm, enjoying cool drinks, hearty dumplings and music played by the landlord himself. This trail, too, is not suitable for beginners or young children.

3. Ottenalm Walchsee Circuit (C) – the third in the series

Anyone heading out on the via ferrata park above Walchsee should be aware that there are three routes, not two. The Ottenalm Walchsee Circuit, rated difficulty C, is the easiest of the three – around 90 metres of altitude gain, starting at 990 metres and finishing at 1,030 metres.

This makes it the logical starting point in the park before tackling the Bergkameradensteig and, eventually, the Direttissima. It shares the same access route from the Ottenalm with the other two routes.

Even more water: two crates to keep the dream alive

Walchsee doesn’t have a monopoly on the combination of steel cable and swimming cap. Two other Tirolean climbs are also situated right by the water:

• Dalfazer Waterfall (D/E), Achensee – a challenging via ferrata near the valley with a spectacular view down into the depths from the edge of the waterfall. 150 metres of altitude gain, one hour’s climbing, one hour of Hiking Time. For experienced via ferrata climbers only – difficult and not to be underestimated. And Lake Achensee is just round the corner afterwards.
• Steinsee Via Ferrata/Iron Way (B/C), Lechtal Alps – the exact opposite: a magnificent limestone route near the Steinseehütte, 190 metres of altitude gain, Starting Point at 2,430 metres, highest point 2,620 metres. The access from the Mountain Lodge/Hut takes an hour and is marked in blue from the boulders onwards. Swimming up here, however, is a test of courage in a class of its own.

And then: into the water

Back to Walchsee. After a leisurely stop for refreshments, we cycle straight to the lake – in just over 45 minutes, we swap our cycling helmets for swimming caps, float in the water and enjoy the stunning view of the Rock Faces of the Zahmer Kaiser.

That’s exactly what it’s all about.