11 Sep. 2017 · Summer Activities | Culinary

Carolin Schratt

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Stopping Off for Refreshments on the Kleiner Grenzverkehr Mountain Bike Tour

The 25 km-long circular cross-border mountain bike tour called the Kleiner Grenzverkehr (literally small cross-border) will take you across the German-Austrian border twice as you travel from Riezlern to Oberstdorf and back.

The 25 km-long circular cross-border mountain bike tour called the Kleiner Grenzverkehr (literally small cross-border) will take you across the German-Austrian border twice as you travel from Riezlern to Oberstdorf and back. The tour is not just great fun, it will also make you build up a big appetite. This is certainly why before you set off you need to know where the best alpine huts, dairies and inns are located. Our top tips for the tour:

Gasthof Bergblick Ausserschwende

In the winter, this guest house is a great place from which to set off along the Schwende cross-country skiing trail and during the summer you can head off from here in the direction of the Fellhorn and Kanzelwand mountains. The brightly coloured parasols on the terrace beckon walkers and cyclists from all over to make a pit stop here. The guest house serves hot food at lunchtime and during the evening. During the day, there is a selection of cakes and savoury snacks on offer.

Bergstüble in Oberwestegg

There is plenty of fun and entertainment to be enjoyed at the Bergstüble which is located above the village of Riezlern. There is a play area to amuse the children and the guest house also sometimes hosts live music events and barbeques. It is definitely the place to be for bikers who come here to fortify themselves before they set off up the Söllereck mountain.

Genusshütte Mittelalp (literally: the Mittelalp ‘hut of delights’)

If you want to find out how the gourmet hut Mittelalp acquired its name (and whether it deserves this title), there is only one thing you should do: stop off and see for yourself of course! This is one of six gourmet huts in the Kleinwalsertal where regional specialities are usually served on what is called a Brotzeitbrett (a type of wooden chopping board). Cheese and dairy products do not have travel far at all because cheese is actually produced on the alp. Once a week, it is even possible to look over the shoulder of Gerhard Hilbrand whilst he makes the cheese. There is also a bike service station located here.

Alternative: via the Osterbergalpe to the Gasthof Hörnlepass

Alpe Osterberg

Alpine farmers have been working the surrounding grazing land here on the border between Germany and Kleinwalsertal since the 17th century. The great wealth of experienced amassed over the centuries means that many different types of home-made dishes and locally-sourced specialities are served at Brotzeit (snack time). Naturally, everything tastes twice as nice as you look at the glorious view of the Oberstdorf and Walser mountains ...

Alpengasthof Hörnlepass

It is certainly worth the effort to take a short detour to this pleasant guest house located in the heart of Hochmoor on the Hörnlepass. Plant lovers should definitely seek out the densely planted alpine herb garden beneath the guest house where they will encounter a profusion of botanical fragrances. Landlady of the guest house Christine Keck cultivates and lovingly tends over 400 plant species in this beautiful garden. Many of the herbs grown in the garden are used in fine dishes and desserts which are prepared by her son Gregor. There is also a bike service station located here.

You might also be interested in this article:

Hut tours with a difference: 3 coursesin 3 huts

I hear “Atemlos” by Helene playing on the radio … Two weeks later, we’re in the car heading for Riezlern and a long weekend filled with gentle hikes and the great outdoors.