Wochenbrunn to Gruttenhütte & Scheffau Hike

Hochkaiser Alm on a walk from Grutten Hut to Scheffau in Wilder Kaiser
Hochkaiser Alm on a walk from Grutten Hut to Scheffau in Wilder Kaiser

By Vicky · Published Oct. 14th, 2024

This hike in Wilder Kaiser heads from Wochenbrunn Alm up to scenic Gruttenhütte (Grutten Hut), along the panoramic contour path and down to Scheffau town.

Wochenbrunn to Gruttenhütte & Scheffau Hiking Map

Location

The hike starts at Wochenbrunner Alm above Ellmau and ends in Scheffau am Wilden Kaiser. There’s a car park at Wochenbrunner Alm, but it’s along a toll road that costs €5. It’s much better to use the free Kaiserjet Wanderbuses. There’s a bus from Ellmau starting at the Ellmau Dorf/Bauhof Bus Stop that heads to Wochenbrunner Alm every 15-30 minutes. There’s a free car park near this bus stop.

To return from Scheffau to Ellmau at the end of the hike you’ll also find a free bus. Alternatively, park in the free car park in Scheffau and take two buses to the start, then hike back to your car. Find the bus timetables here. Note, the KaiserJet and Hiking Buses are free to everyone, while the local Public buses that travel further are only free to those with a Wilder Kaiser Guest Card.

Tips

  • You can get refreshments at Wochenbrunner Alm at the beginning, at Gruttenhütte (after about 1.5 hours of walking), or in several Alms near the end of the hike. At Hoch Kaiseralm you can get drinks only – cans floating in a drinking trough – with an honesty box (cash).
  • Hiking poles* are useful on the way up and down to reduce the strain on your leg joints.
  • There’s little technical difficulty on this hike, but you do need to be surefooted. There’s one ladder to climb (but it’s more like stairs) and one short section over rock where you have to hold onto a metal cable and use metal rungs for your feet. This section is shortly before Kaiser Hochalm.
  • Check out other great hikes on our Austria or Germany Hiking Page.

Wochenbrunn to Gruttenhütte & Scheffau Hiking Route

Hiking up to Gruttenhütte (Grutten Hut)

Setting off from Wochenbrunner Alm
Setting off from Wochenbrunner Alm
Hiking up to Gruttenhütte (Grutten Hut) in the Mist
Hiking up to Gruttenhütte (Grutten Hut) in the Mist

From Wochenbrunner Alm, head along the hiking path through the grassy area and into the wood opposite the hut. The first roughly 1.5km continues fairly steeply upwards through the trees, without any views. Eventually though, you’ll come out into the open and traverse a scree field (though the path is not covered in scree).

From here, you get your first panoramic views (if it’s not misty), and will soon be able to see Gruttenhütte (Grutten Hut) perched up above you. It’s not too much further uphill now, and the views are quite motivational.

You’ll finally reach the end of the climb, join another path, and see Gruttenhütte close by on your left. Head to the hut, and sit down if you want refreshments. It’s relatively expensive, but the views are worth it.

Hiking from Gruttenhütte to Hochkaiser Alm

Hiking from Gruttenhütte to Hochkaiser Alm
Hiking in Wilder Kaiser Valley, Austria

After resting a while, leave the hut out the back and turn left down the main track. In just over one kilometre, take the signed smaller path slightly up to the right. After an initial very short uphill, the path contours around the hillside below the Kaiser Mountains. It’s a very scenic route and you have great panoramas while walking.

In a while, you’ll round the corner and face yet another great view of the steep and rocky mountains above. Keep on going, heading slightly downwards into a small bowl. If it’s bad weather, or you want to cut the hike short, there’s a path heading downwards in the centre of this bowl.

A ladder on the hike from Wochenbrunn to Scheffau
A ladder
A cable on the hike from Wochenbrunn to Scheffau
A cable to help you down the rocks
Cows in the fields
Cows in the fields

If you’re still feeling good, ignore the path down and continue with a small ascent. Near the top of the uphill, you’ll reach a ladder. It’s not very steep and has a good handrail so it’s more like walking up stairs. At the top, there’s a well-placed bench where you can rest after the climb.

A few hundred meters further, the path traverses a small rocky cliff. There’s a large metal cable to hold onto and a few metal staples to stand on as you descend the few meters over this. At the bottom, it’s easy walking to Hochkaiser Alm.

Hiking signpost in the Alps
Hiking signpost on the route
Looking down on the path to Hochkaiser Alm
Looking down on the path to Hochkaiser Alm

There isn’t a real mountain hut here, just a little collection of small unoccupied huts. There are benches at the front of two of these huts, and it’s a great place to have a rest. On the other side of the huts, in a small fenced area, you’ll find a water trough. This is filled with cans – beer or soft drink – and there’s an honesty box to pay (cash only) if you want one.

Hochkaiser Alm to Scheffau am Wilden Kaiser

Cows and a rocky mountain in the Austrian Alps

When you’re ready, continue down the main track. Ignore the first junction which comes up very quickly, but take the track to the left at the following junction. This track winds downwards past Kaiser Neideralm. Turn right at the edge of the forest, signed towards Scheffau. Keep left and walk down the side of the field (the path isn’t super clear here).

You’ll soon reach a track. Follow this still downwards, past a popular Alm, and to another junction before a forest. Turn right here and into Rehbachklamm. This fun little section of the hike has several easy ladders and bridges across the stream.

Hiking down Rehbachklamm
Walking down Rehbachklamm.
Scheffau, the end of a great hike

When you reach the road and car park, turn slightly right and then left to continue walking down Rehbachklamm. At the next junction turn right to keep by the river – the more interesting trail. Eventually, the path ends and you come out on the outskirts of Scheffau am Wilden Kaiser.

Take the first left, then follow the road down towards the church in the centre of Scheffau. There’s a bus stop here if you’re heading back to Ellmau, or a large car park on the left. This is the end of the Wochenbrunn to Gruttenhütte & Scheffau Hike.


Guidebooks for Hiking in the Alps


Check out other great hikes on our Austria or Germany Hiking Page.

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