Eagle Walk Stage 07: Steinberg am Rofan - Erfurter Hütte

Fully enjoy the scenic diversity of the Rofan Mountain Range on this challenging walk, with its gentle pastoral hills to the south and the sheer rock faces to the north. Once you have passed Durrahof Farm, continue on the E4 Long-Distance Hiking Trail to Labegg Graben. Afterwards, the route will take you through Schauertal Valley and to idyllic Zireinersee Lake. This aquatic gem is unbelievably deep – 200 metres – and so cold that you’ll have to steel yourself just to dip your little toe into the water. But you can also follow the example of Rofanspitze Peak that is reflected upside down in the crystal-clear mountain waters. From the lake, you will walk along Schafsteig Trail just below Rofanspitze Peak (weather permitting) where you then follow signage to Erfurter Hut, which is located next to the top terminal of Rofan Gondola.

trail description: Starting off at Waldhäusl Inn in Steinberg am Rofan, take a short walk to the southeast on the village street towards St. Lambert's Parish Church and follow this for around 500 metres. Bear left after the hay barn and continue walking until the road emerges onto a path leading into Steinberger Loch and up to Durrahof Farm. Follow E4 Long-Distance Hiking Trail to Labegg Graben. (Periods of heavy rain or snowmelt make it difficult to get through Schauertal Valley and then cross Schafsteigsattel Col safely. There is an alternative hike in the area that is the better option in inclement weather.*)

From Labegg Graben, follow posted signage to “Rofan” along the forest road. Keep walking gently uphill through thinning forest and along meadows and follow signage to “Zireiner See” and/or “Erfurter Hütte”. When you reach a parting of the ways right behind a farmhouse, take the trail that goes uphill, and do not walk downhill. The trail is a mere footpath now. You will soon cross a creek with a little waterfall, where the path merges with a forest road. Bear right following signage to “Bayreuther Hütte”. Then, take the left fork along the creek and keep walking uphill. Later, follow the footpath and turn right onto a broad forest road. Then turn left onto a dirt road leading uphill that will soon merge into a footpath.

The trail takes you through thinning woodlands along the creek towards “Zireiner See”. Beyond the creek (there is no bridge), continue on the steep path that will soon take you up to the world of wide open Alpine meadows. Here you pass the idyllic Schauertalalm and follow the path uphill towards “Schauertalsattel”. Plenty of exposed roots and rocks will help keep your pace in check. The trail furiously works its way up along dwarf pines. You will soon arrive at a basin, where you follow signage to “Erfurter Hütte”. After passing the southern shore of Zireinersee Lake, follow the way-marked trail towards “Marchalm” and “Schafsteig, Rofan”. Be careful, this path is rated black and may be slippery and hazardous in wet conditions! Schafsteig Path skirts the east fast of Rofanspitz Spire, then diagonally uphill, before making a vigorous climb up to Schafsteigsattel Col, situated northeast of Rofanspitze. From the col, turn left and stroll down a short passage that takes you through gentle meadows. Follow signage to “Erfurter Hütte” and/or “Rofan Seilbahn” and continue on the relatively even footpath to the saddle. From here, it is a gentle downhill stroll into a lush green basin.

Keep walking along Alpine pastures until you reach Erfurter Hut, which is located right next to the top terminal of Rofan Gondola at an elevation of 1,831 metres and is a nice place to spend the night; as well is Rofan Mountain Inn. You will pass Mauritzalm Alpine Pasture Hut before reaching the destination end of this walk. You may either walk downhill (1½ hours) or ride the gondola down to Maurach. Almost the entire segment of this Eagle Walk coincides with Nordalpenweg Trail 01.

*) Alternative Route:

Periods of heavy rain or snowmelt make it difficult to get through Schauertal Valley and then cross Schafsteigsattel Col safely. There is an alternative hike in the area that is the better option in inclement weather:

From Labegg Graben, take the left fork up to Enteralm Alpine Pasture Hut (where hearty tidbits are served) – Ameisenkogel (elev. 1,518m) – a lovely trail takes you to Labeggalm Alpine Pasture Hut (strongly recommended: pause for a rest at quaint Anderl’s Hütte which is readily accessible within a 15-minute walk). Follow the path (do not take Trail No. 411) atop Kreuzeinjoch Col (elev. 1,702m) – continue climbing towards Rossweide and Rosskogelsattel Col (elev. 1,868m) – atop Rosskogel Peak turn right to the vantage point overlooking Zireinersee Lake and descend to the beautiful mountain lake (refuel with hearty delicacies at Sonnwendjochhaus Lodge if you please). Skirt the lake westward with a vigorous climb taking you to Marchgatterl turnoff. Take the fork towards Zireiner Alm (elev. 1,698m) and Bayreuther Hut (elev. 1,600m, on-mountain eatery and accommodation).

Follow Trail No. 22 to Sonnwendbühelalm at an elevation of 1,645 metres – Wiesinger Ski Hut – climb up to Schermsteinalm Alpine Pasture Hut and Schermstein Hochleger in ruins – Grubascharte Notch – from the notch, follow the Eagle Walk on Trail No. 401 to Erfurter Hut or to Rofan Mountain Inn (on-mountain eateries and accommodations).

The Alternative Route takes some 2.5 hours longer to complete. Benefits: There are no black-rated trails and the route is usually snow-free and ready to negotiate in May and June as well as in September and October. Graced with a lot of sunshine, this trail melts out early, providing peak-probing hiking early in the season.