Alm Levels: The Eppzirler Alm and its Hosts

The roots of the Alm go far back: as early as the 16th century, Eppzirl was mentioned multiple times in the "Gejaidbuch der Graffschaft Tirol" (Gejaid Book of the County of Tyrol). At that time, valuable Tyrolean oil shale was already being mined. However, initially, it wasn't particularly successful – Eppzirl only reached its peak as a mining area in the 19th century with the development of cast-iron melting pots. At that time, the Alm received the nickname "Goldalpe". Up to ten mines were dug in oil shale deposits to extract the valuable oil. In the 1920s, the Eppzirler Alm experienced its own "Golden Twenties". Besides the still existing stables, the cheese hut was built, and in 1932 the Alm was first accessed by a forestry road. To this day, it remains preserved as a gem of alpine pasture and high mountain landscape.

In total, the alpine pasture covers an area of about 1,100 hectares and is managed from early June to the end of October (depending on the weather). During this time, about 100 cattle graze on the meadows, which the hut hosts keep a constant watch over. Hikers often enjoy taking a seat on the sun terrace. The menu is small, but filled with everything that makes hikers' hearts happy. Served are bacon and cheese dumplings with cabbage, soup or salad, a generously filled snack platter, bacon and cheese sandwiches, and wonderfully fragrant homemade apple strudel.

The Eppzirler Alm can be reached via the forest path in a leisurely two hours from Gießenbach. The route is family-friendly and manageable for children. For those who wish, the Eppzirler Alm can serve as the endpoint, or it can be used as a starting point for further hikes, for example over the Eppzirler Scharte to the Solsteinhaus (hiking time: 2.5 to 3 hours / altitude difference: 350 m) or over the Ursprungsattel to the Nördlinger Hütte (hiking time: 4.5 to 5 hours / altitude difference: 779 m) as well as for summit tours to one of the peaks of the Karwendel.

Very ambitious hikers tackle the circular hike from the valley station of the Rosshütte cable car over the Schlagkopf, the Eppzirler Alm, and the Nördlinger Hütte, and back to Seefeld via the Reitherjochalm. The entire route is just over 20 kilometers long, the tour lasts around ten hours, and requires really good fitness, surefootedness, and a head for heights. If you have all of that, the tour is truly sensational and rewards you with exhilarating views and a lot of happiness. On the 15th stage of the Adlerweg, which leads from the Solsteinhaus over Scharnitz into the Leutasch, you also pass by the Alm via the Eppzirler Scharte.

When it starts to "autumn" in the Karwendel Mountains, it becomes really beautiful in Eppzirler: the larches on the slopes around the alpine inn turn into a bright golden yellow, while the mountain peaks around are already dusted with snow. On mild days, you can enjoy the warm sun rays on the terrace, but inside the cozy room, Christian and Vanessa also like to heat up the oven, where you can make yourself really comfortable.