And from here I have again a view of this majestic wall that apparently builds the end of the valley. My map tells me that the summit to the left is called „Dreizinkenspitze“ followed by the „Laliederer Spitze“ to the right and at the end you see the „Sonnenspitze“. Two hours later I will stand at the foot of these walls and with every yard I will come closer to this monument my awe will grow. This scenery reminds me a bit of the famous „Rosengarten“ in Southern Tyrolia, only those rocks shimmer red in the sunlight.

Blick zurück ins Laliderertal

Blick auf die Laliderer Spitze

Laliderertal

Blick zurück ins Laliederer Tal

Kleiner Baum zwichen Felsen

Im Sonnenlicht schaun die Felsen aus wie schneebedeckt

Verlassene Almhütte

Blick aufs Gamsjoch

Immer das Etappenziel vor Augen

One last small rise in elevation brings me finally in front of this rock wall and the small village of alpine cabins called Laliedersalm-Niederleger. This translates to something like low lying Laliedersalm. My map tells me that there is also a high lying Alm. Funny names they have here in Austria…….

Laliderer Wände

Blick auf Lalidererwände und den Almenniederleger

Lalidererwände

Laliedersalm-Niederleger

Lalidersalm

Lalidersalm-Niederleger

I am surrounded by earsplitting noise from what feels like hundreds of cowbells. Maybe it’s just imagination, but I am convinced that those towering rocks are amplifying the sound with it’s echo. In the center of this village I see a sign for the Falkenhütte, showing right into the meadow and through the crowds of cows. Could this be right? But then I see the next sign across the meadow, so I cross it.

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 The next leg is the most exhausting part of the tour. On a rather short stretch I have to climb almost 1000 feet. The small path leads through dense brushwood. There are a few cows coming my way and out of respect I let them pass. The last one actually only passes after I hid myself in the underwood. I finally reach another meadow and climb the mountain in large serpentines. As you can see in the pictures the rock wall is still blocking the exit of the valley.  And finally I can see the cabin that will be the perfect spot for a break.

And again I am standing there with my mouth wide open. Or as we say in German when we are really overwhelmed „my mouth goes dry“. But the dry mouth is also due to a quenching thirst that I will fight with a fresh non-alcoholic beer. The first one hisses while it’s going down. Plus these great views. Actually I could stay here for a while.

My guide book would lead me to the summit of the Mahnkopf, but this would mean about an hour one way and a gain of elevation of another 600 feet. Maybe next time. In order to get some great shots of this cabin I do follow that path a bit.

Falkenhütte

Falkenhütte

Falkenhütte

Blick auf den Kuhkopf

Blick auf den Kuhkopf

Since I still have quite a long stretch to walk and I am not really sure how long it’ll take me to get to my final destination, I am not staying too long at this cabin. I do have to catch a bus, that won’t wait for me. But I will certainly come back and then climb to the summit of the Mahnkopf. Or take one of the many other trails, that lead through this natural wonder.

The Falkenhütte being the highest point of this tour, I have to descend to the „Spiliessjoch“. The path is being forked here. To the right you will get to the Ladizalm and the small maple floor. I take a left and cross at the bottom of the rock wall in direction of the Hohljoch.

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At the foot of this impressive wall I am crossing through large fields of rubble. Where the wall rises out of this rubble there are some areas where there still is some snow. Since the sun never get’s here, I am not really surprised.

Since I can’t offer any spectacular wild animal sightings today, a picture of this black and white cow has to do. 🙂

So I reach the Hohljoch and get a last view of the valley through which I came this morning.

Diese Kuh hat echt böse geschaut

Blick ins Laliderertal

Blick ins Laliderertal

When I turn around in the direction I will be continuing, I have the next WOW! on my lips. From the ridge of the Hohljoch I get the first glimpse of the valley that surrounds the Engalm and the big maple floor. I find this view as impressive as all the other great views I had already today.

Blick auf die Grubenkarspitze

Somehow I fell rather small when I look at these mountains, but I also have a sense of freedom. There are some things that we humans can’t create like mother nature did.

Shortly after the ridge the path is being divided again. To the left it leads to the summit of the Gamsjoch which I have already seen from far. To the right the path is leading down into the valley. That’s my direction. Below the sign with the dircetions there is another, rather huge one, showing a crossed out bike. Dear mountain bikers: sometimes such signs actually do make sense. This path is a) narrow and b) in large parts that uneven that you will have to carry your bike. There are other routes for you to ride to the valley. As the Laliederertal for example.

Der Pfad beim Abstieg

Blick auf die Dreizinkenspitze

So I start the descent and have to stop every other minute to let pass another mountain biker who then has to get off his bike, because there is another high and steep step in front of him. But this gives me also the time to enjoy the breathtaking views.

Dreizinkenspitze

Spritzkarspitze

Spritzkarpitze

Gamsjoch

Gamsjoch

Sonnjoch

And the I can see my final destination deep down in the valley. The syllable Kar in the name of the region comes from an ancient German word for bucket, bowl, receptacle. What this has to do with those mounting rock walls, isn’t so clear to me.

While descending I get the first look at the so famous Maple Floor and am somewhat disappointed. Where are those 2000 maple trees?

View of the Engalm

View of the Engalm

But first I reach the Engalm, a beautiful small village of alpine cabins. Very rustic, but also cozy and idyllic. Unfortunately there is this toll road leading up here, that can be used by big motorcoaches and I am not the only one who thinks that this is a truly awesome place. There are quite a lot of people around and this is the end of enjoying a calm day surrounded by mother nature. I take a closer look at the village.

Bauernladen in Eng

Almhütten mit Blick auf das Gamsjoch

Kleine Almhütte

Kappelle im Dorf

Almhütte mit Schmuck au Silberdisteln

Almhütte

Almhütten mit Blick auf den Berg

Almhütte

Blick zur Grubenkarspitze

Blick vom Almgasthof

Dreierlei Knödel. Ein Traum aus vielen Kalorien.

After such a long hike I am very hungry. There is a restaurant in the village (sorry only avialble in German).  Since the weather is just picture perfect I am looking for a seat on the terrace which is divided in a self service and serviced part. I feel like being served, so I sit down next to a group of tourists from one of those motorcoaches. They are talking about their lovers and the illnesses they have. Rather amusing.

On the menu I discover this dish with 3 different dumplings. That’s about exactly what I need now. On my plate I find a regular bread dumpling, one that has been flavored with tomato and one with spinach. All topped with lots of melted butter and cheese. Very yummy but also very heavy. After all those calories I would have to walk my tour again to burn them off.

Instead I am walking around a bit and stop in the farmers shop to do some shopping. There you can have a tasting of local cheese. Along with it you can buy delicious bread and jam. Too bad that they don’t have an online-shop. I’d order my cheese on a weekly basis here. The cheese they are selling has just one a gold medal in the alpine cheese olympics. (Yes, this does exist).

On my way to the close by Alpengasthof and bus stop I finally come across those famous maple trees. And the nature trail telling you everything about them.

Großer Ahornboden

Großer Ahornboden

Ahornbaum

Lehrpfad

Alter Ahornbaum

Altr Ahornbaum

Alter Ahornbaum

Großer Ahornboden

Alpengasthof Eng

Alpengasthof Eng

There actually are a bit over 2000 maple trees growing here. Some of them are up to 600 years old. I haven’t seen most of them since the Engalm marks the end of this nature park. To keep the valley in it’s current state every tree that is dying is replaced by a new one. This is especially spectacular during Indian Summer when the leaves are turning red and yellow.

Unfortunately I realize too late, that I am missing out on something here, but it’s time to catch my bus. When I miss it, I will have to stay overnight. Which wouldn’t be the worst that could happen. So one last admiring look around and th board the bus.

What a terrific day in really awesome scenery.

Respect, if you actaully did read this post completely. 🙂

I hope it wasn’t too boring. 🙂

And as usual I am looking forward to read your comments.