27^Jul Sat
06:05

A hike between the Schwarzwasser and Kleinwalsertal valleys. Almost exactly in the middle between the two most striking peaks of the Kleinwalsertal valley, the Hoher Ifen and the Widderstein in the Allgäu Alps, a narrow, grassy ridge about four kilometers long runs from east to west. Its eastern end is the Walmendinger Horn, which lies high above Mittelberg and is blessed with a magnificent panorama. Our hike goes exactly along this narrow ridge, which rewards us with beautiful, open views along the entire length.

From Baad we hike up to Stutzalpe having a nice view of the valley. Straight ahead the path leads stepper to the upper Lüchlealp - a dairy pasture where mountain and alpine cheese is produced passing through beautiful mountain meadows full of flowers. We finally reach Walmendingerhorn where a gorgeous view is waiting for us.

On the west side we see the narrow, grassy ridge of the Ochsenhofer Köpfe, to the right of it the wide Schwarzwassertal, overlooked by the Hoher Ifen, and to the left the rear Kleinwalsertal with its typical steep grassy mountains and the mighty Widderstein. After this detour, our hike goes further with a long descent. In a wide arc we descend a good 150 meters in altitude on a wide gravel path. At a small saddle (1,800 m) we leave the wide main path and tackle the opposite ascent, which leads steeply uphill on what is initially a fairly wide path.

Later, a narrow path branches off to the right, which leads directly up the ridge to the Muttelbergkopf, 1,989 m. 

The path goes up and down moderately over the ridge with its wonderful views to the Ochsenhofer Scharte, 1,851 m, a small pass between the Schwarzwassertal (right) and the rear Kleinwalsertal (left).

After the ridge we proceed north direction to descend to idyllic Schwarzwasserhütte where we could stop for a drink or food. 

The hike takes you to a larger forest path into a side valley that is of great geological and botanical interest. You hike down to Melköde on a slightly descending path with a small river and waterfalls nearby and close to the Rüchewald forest. The Schwarzwassertal is an important refuge for endangered animal species, such as capercaillie, black grouse and hazel grouse, sparrowhawk, rock partridge, golden eagle, eagle owl, dipper, adder, etc. and the variety of plant species is also remarkable. 

After we proceed to Hirschegg, our final destination where we catch the bus towards Oberstdorf.