Route: Leutasch Valley
Area: Austria, Tyrol
Date of walk: 25th June 2025
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 6.1 miles
Ascent: 600 feet
Weather: Sunny and very warm
After yesterday’s grand adventure on Seefelder Spitze we decided to keep to valley level today. Using our PlateauCard, which has been extremely useful on this holiday, we took the bus from our base in Mösern to Seefeld and then a connecting bus to the Gaistal Valley. The Gaistal is a specific valley within the larger Leutasch Valley, known for its mountain pastures, hiking trails, and alpine huts. The area is home to roe deer, red deer and chamois, while golden eagles nest in the walls of the Wetterstein mountain range. We’d intended to start from Klamm but the bus failed to stop there and so we alighted at the next stop along the valley by the Stupfer car park. After crossing a wobbly footbridge over the Leutascher Ache river we turned left to follow a path beside its banks. The river would be our constant companion until we reached Weidach
The riverside path was a delight and was lined with wildflowers along its length, attracting many bees and butterflies. As we approached Weidach the path gradually widended and the sense of wilderness disappeared. Nonetheless it was a lovely stroll into the village. Rather than ending the walk here we decided to visit the viewpoint at Kurbl Hang. This short circular detour could be tackled as a separate walk. We found our way to the start of the woodland path at the edge of Weidach and followed a narrow twisting path up through the woods. Although it was easy going, it was a hot day, around 30c, so some puffing and panting was involved
We reached the viewing platform and soaked in the lovely views of the Leutasch Valley and the Wetterstein mountains before descending back in to Weidach to complete the detour, about 2.2 miles in all. From there we caught the bus back to our hotel
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Having alighted from the bus, we walk through the Stupfer car park in Gaistal. Hohe Munde is in the background
We cross the Leutascher Ache river via a footbridge which sways disconcertingly
The Leutascher Ache and Hohe Munde
We turn left after the bridge and follow the easy riverside path
Gehrenspitze beyond the woodland
Further progress by the river is restricted by a narrow gorge, so we cross this bridge and turn right
We notice a curious shrine in the cliff above...
After walking by the road for a few yards we re-cross the river...
Looking back to Hohe Munde
One of the delights of the walk was the wildflowers which lined the path, attracting numerous butterflies...
I believe this is a chequered skipper, which became extinct in the UK in 1976 but was re-introduced from Europe
Green-veined white
Heath fritillary
...and a wall brown, though the best sighting happened further along, in a village garden...
The path widens as we approach the village of Weidach
A last look along the Leutascher Ache as we enter into Weidach
Attractive chalets in Weidach
In one of the front gardens, a swallowtail feasting on sweet william
Instead of ending the walk here we made a circular detour to the viewpoint at Kurbl Hang, following the sign on the left
A steady uphill climb through the woods...
We arrive at the viewpoint, which commands a wonderful position overlooking the Leutasch Valley...
We descend through the woods back down into Weidach to end the walk
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