12 Jul. 2017 · Summer Activities

Sarina Berchtold

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Route Check around the Widderstein

‘So, what do you do after work?’ – ‘I put many metres of altitude behind me.’

‘So, what do you do after work?’ – ‘I put many metres of altitude behind me.’
The fact I will berunning alongside them on the Widderstein Trail on the 29th July usually elicits an appreciative nod from the people I am talking to. Now and again, someone will give me a rather more pitying look. There aren’t many people around here who haven’t heard of the hiking trail around the Widderstein. Most people who know the trail will know exactly what awaits me there as a trail running rookie. I swapped my running shoes for trail running shoes about four months ago. During this time, my training plan has enabled me to discover some completely new hiking routes in Kleinwalsertal. The less snow there was on the mountains, the further up I could go. The paths became narrower and the view became better and better. The time finally arrived in June. The trail around the Widderstein was free of snow.

Time for a Route Check

The starting point is in Baad. The first part of the trail runs gently downhill as far as Bödmen so you don’t break into a sweat straight away. From here the trail continues steadily uphill (still only a gentle incline) until you reach the Hintere Gemstelhütte. This is the point at which things really get started. I figure that there is no point in me running here (too exhausting), so I switch to a brisk walking pace. After crossing over scree, passing a waterfall and making my way up a couple of serpentines, the Obere Gemstelalpe finally comes into sight. I have now put the worst behind me.
However, there is a still a bit more work to do before I reach the Gemstelpass which is just under 2,000 metres above sea level. I am able to enjoy the fantastic views as I travel along the route. Every now and again, I look back on wonderful sights such as the Geisshorn.

Flying over the Trails

I now get to my favourite part. This is the bit where you can fly up and down the fantastic trails. On the left hand side, you can see the Tannbergregion and on the right hand side Kleinwalsertal. During the 8 to 11 kilometre stretch, I pass the Widdersteinhütte and the Hochalpsee lake.

Time to Head Downhill

Now it is time to come down the mountainside. This isn’t actually a specialism of mine. I could definitely hone my technique, however, I have enough to deal with due to all the sticks and stones, roots and small leaps I have to make over the mountain streams. I have put the worst behind me by the time I spy the Bärgunthütte in the distance. Now it is time to step on the gas as I make my way down towards Baad...

Are you also a trail running rookie? Here are a few of the training routes I have accomplished:
I would like to thank the Tri-Team Kleinwalsertal for providing the starting place on the Widderstein trail, Sport & Mode Kessler for the fantastic equipment and Seppi Neuhauser for my personal training plan and all the terrific support he gave to the Walser Trail Challenge-Rookies 2017.

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