Hiking in Gschnitztal, wildflowers in Schmirntal

2 September 2020

At half past ten, I start at the parking lot 'Liftstüberl' in Trins in Gschnitztal. 

From here you can start several hikes. One option is not available: The Bergeralmbahn is not running, so I hike along the Gschnitzbach on a flat, paved path that would also be good for cycling. 

I quickly discard the alternative path through the forest above mine. I don't want to walk in the dark forest while the sun is shining. 

On the way, I meet maybe 6 people and after about 1.5 hours and about 6km, I arrive in Gschnitz. The last quarter of the path also goes through a forest here. 

It is quite chilly here and I am glad for my thick fleece jacket. Unfortunately, in Gschnitz, the dog is frozen and there is nothing of interest. So I walk back on the village street, but then have to go back on the path I came from. 

The weather forecast is now very bad and dark clouds are gathering above the mountain peaks around me. I get a few drops and soon start freezing, so I have to put on my rain/wind jacket as well. I pick up the pace, there's not much to photograph in the gray scenery. 

After about 13km, I reach the parking lot at Liftstüberl again shortly before 2pm. The sun flickers through the clouds now and then, but it looks nasty in the direction I just came from. 

I sit outside at a table, actually keep looking at the sun and enjoy the best Kaiserschmarrn of my life for quite a while. Only at half past three I leave this protected spot and drive about half an hour over to Schmirntal to visit a small alpine flower garden there.

The Schmirntal was not accessible in the last few days because the rain caused a stream to overflow and made the access impassable. It is another side valley of the Wipptal, where I have been hiking for a week now. The route climbs about 400m in many switchbacks, offering magnificent views. 

After the village of Schmirn, it goes a few more kilometers to Toldern, a village at an altitude of around 1400m. 

Almost at the end of the drivable route, in the hamlet of Toldern, some residents have created an alpine flower and herb garden in spring 2020. A mini garden, equipped with so much love and even great sun loungers amidst a high alpine panorama, including a view of the Hintertux Glacier in the Hintertux Alps, which quickly disappears behind clouds again. 

At 12 degrees, the great sun loungers are unfortunately not an option. A little further on the meadow, you can see a small stock mill from 1839. These mills have a horizontal water wheel (Wikipedia knows more). 

This single remaining specimen in Tyrol also exists thanks to the support of the locals. 

Through a tunnel, the road continues further into this high valley to Kasern, which is more like a small roundabout where 3 farms and a restaurant are located. 

Then the single-lane road turns into a gravel track that disappears between the mountains in the distance. I prefer to turn around now, especially since it starts raining and I still have to drive down about 100 curves. I am really excited about this wonderful area, amazed by such remote settlements, and regret the rain starting again. 

I am back in my apartment shortly after 6:00 pm and wrap myself in a blanket for a while on the balcony. Because, oh wonder: the clouds are swirling loosely around the mountain peaks, so that I can finally experience the panorama again. That gives hope for tomorrow 🤞🏼🤞🏼