Winter circular hike on the Gottesacker

Ifen valley station - ascent with Ifen gondola - Ifen mountain station - hiking trail signage to the winter circular route - descent with Ifen gondola - Ifen valley station

Good footwear, weatherproof clothing and hiking poles for steeper sections are recommended.

Most routes from Germany converge in Ulm and continue on the A7. At the Allgäu motorway junction via the A980 section to the Waltenhofen exit and on the four-lane B19 via Sonthofen and Oberstdorf to the Kleinwalsertal. From Austria (Vorarlberg) and Switzerland, the Kleinwalsertal is reached via the Bregenzerwald (Hittisau) – Riedberg Pass – Fischen – Oberstdorf. Coming from Tyrol, the fastest route leads via the A7 to Kempten and further on the B19 towards Oberstdorf. No motorway vignette is required for driving into the valley.

Starting point of the route: Walserbus line 5. Bus stop Ifen

>>> Walserbus timetable

Paid parking spaces at the Ifen car park

Nature is so much more than the backdrop for unforgettable mountain experiences. It is a habitat for animals and plants. It provides drinking water and supplies us with high quality food. Not only does it provide valuable raw materials such as wood, it also protects against avalanches and mudslides and regulates the climate. It is up to us to support nature in everything that it does for us. One thing is certain, together we can achieve more:

Smart in NATURE

CONSCIOUS together

EXPERIENCE foresight

Smart in NATURE

Take a deep breath and recharge your batteries, be outside and feel free. When we enjoy nature, we are guests in the living room of shy animals and rare plants. If you behave smart, they will be happy to share their living space with you in the future too.

Stay on paths and marked routes

If you follow the marked paths and routes, you are sure to come to new favorite places. In this way you also respect protected areas, because many animals and plants need special protection. Especially in winter, any disturbance unnecessarily costs the wild animals the strength they need to survive.

Avoiding twilight times

Standing on a mountain at sunrise is a special experience. The morning and evening hours are also the time when most wild animals are in search of food. If they are disturbed, they get stressed. If it cannot be avoided, please stay on the marked path, do not use a bright headlamp and enjoy the silence.

Stay clean & take rubbish with you

It goes without saying: You take rubbish with you again, on the mountain and in the valley. Please also organic waste, because it is composted much more slowly at altitude. You can dispose of the rubbish properly at home or in your accommodation - please remember that there are no rubbish bins in public spaces in Kleinwalsertal.

On the natural toilet

If you are looking for a quiet place, please be at least 50 m away from water. Bury excrement or cover it with a large stone. Use fallen leaves or recycled toilet paper and put the paper back in the trash bag.

On tour with a dog

Are you always in control of your four-legged partner, even if he gets his nose for marmots, deer or other wild animals? You are both on the safe side on a leash. Keep dogs on a short leash near grazing cattle. If an attack by a grazing animal is foreseeable: leash off immediately. There are numerous dog stations in the valley for the disposal of dog bags. The farmers and alpine farmers thank you because manure in meadows and fields contaminates the feed and makes grazing cattle sick.

CONSCIOUS to each other

Consideration for other athletes and those looking for relaxation

Everyone loves to enjoy a special piece of earth for themselves. But most of the time we are not traveling alone. No problem, because there is enough space. Allow time, open the way in an accommodating manner, provide support when someone needs help and always give a smile. So nothing stands in the way of friendly cooperation and relaxed enjoyment of nature.

Appreciating the preservation of the cultural landscape

Alpine landscapes are touching with their contrast: Imposing peaks and natural forests alternate with gentle valleys, well-tended meadows and pastures. In the Kleinwalsertal too, this delightful landscape at three altitudes is no coincidence, but the result of an interplay of natural and cultural landscapes. Behind this is the work of farmers, alpine and forestry as well as hunters. With their work, they ensure that the attractiveness of the recreation and leisure area and the diversity of species are preserved. We already say thank you if we stay on the marked trails and enjoy regional products.

EXPERIENCE farsighted

Safe on tour - for you and others

Whether on a ski or snowshoe tour in winter or on a mountain tour in summer, anyone who is out and about in alpine terrain has to be well prepared. This includes careful information and tour planning as well as the right equipment. Correctly assessing alpine dangers requires a lot of knowledge and experience. Why not learn from professionals and go on tour with one of the experienced guides?

Unique are the snow dunes shaped by the wind on the Gottesacker.