Gries Ernst Riml Spitz Bachfallenferner | 2677m

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The route passes by the following peaks:

  • Ernst-Riml-Spitz (2507 m)

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A short but very charming mountain hike leading to the Winnebachseehütte, nestled in the picturesque landscape of the Ötztal Valley. The hike through tranquil nature, leading to the Winnebachseehütte, idyllically situated on Lake Winnebach, is a unique experience. The Ernst-Riml-Spitze, a modest elevation east of the hut, proves to be a jewel of peace and seclusion. Despite its proximity to the hut and its low elevation, this summit offers a majestic view of the entire Winnebachtal Valley, especially the imposing Gänsekragenspitze and the mighty summit of the Breiten Grieskogel. From the hut parking lot at the upper end of Gries, we first head back a few metres towards the village and then follow the ascending asphalt road to the hamlet of Winnebach, 1692 metres , which you reach after just 10 minutes. follow the road to Winnebach (1691 m), passing between the cluster of houses and following the marked cart track no. 141, winding up through the forest.

After passing the last houses in the hamlet, hiking trail 141 leads moderately steeply into the mountain forest in several switchbacks. Hikers can repeatedly catch magnificent views of the entire Sulztal valley before leaving the forest path at a signpost at an elevation of 1,850 meters and following trail 141 – now a narrow path – further uphill.

The mountain forest gradually thins out and gives way to a vast scree field (on the Grießern). Shortly after the tree line, the 2000-meter bench invites you to take a short break. Now the beautiful valley opens up, and the path becomes less steep, climbing the southern slopes of the Gänsekragen to the Winnebachalp at 2180 meters . From here, there is also a magnificent view of the Bachfalle waterfall, which plunges thunderously into the depths. The trail continues, initially climbing gently, to the junction for the "Kleinkanada" climbing area, which you ignore to the left. About ten minutes after the junction, you reach the Winnebachsee Hut, 2,362 meters high, perched above the steep path . From the hut terrace or the restaurant, you can enjoy the magnificent panorama of the waterfall opposite while enjoying a hearty snack. .Directly behind the hut, cross the lake outlet over a wooden bridge on the right and continue eastward to the left of a moraine ridge into the Iss River

you cross the Winnebach stream directly behind the hut and climb the final 150 meters to the Ernst-Riml-Spitze, 2,512 meters , initially over boulders and later over meadows and rocks (careful in wet conditions) . Upon reaching the summit cross, hikers are treated to a magnificent panoramic view of the surrounding three-thousand-meter peaks and the wildly romantic Winnebach Valley.

After signing the summit book, we hike further till we reach the Bachfallferner. Here we get to admire the lake that is forming from the glacier melting just above it, dominated from Gaislehnkogel (3218m). From the eternal ice of the glacier you have a magnificent view of the surrounding rugged peaks

Like many other alpine glacier, also this one is getting smaller and smaller. Material transported through the glacier and washed out of the glacier forms a valley plain in which the glacier streams flow. Here small lakes have formed on the plateau or the valley plain of the glacier. This glacier stream plunges here at a demolition edge of the plateau into the Winnebach valley, a deep cut into the folded rock massif of the Alps through which the Winnebach has ground itself for many thousands of years.

We finally take the same route back to the Winnebachseehütte (where we can have a long stop enjoying the lake and drinking and eating something) and later we can hike back to the starting point at the hiking car park in Gries .





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By public transport:
    Train station near start point: Zentrum Shuttle (12.2 Km from start point)

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Winnebachseehütte (2362 m):
    Website: Homepage
    Phone: +43 5253 5197
    Wikipedia: Wikipedia page
    Location: Google maps

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Technical Difficulty Medium Difficult
Gear
Popularity 1
Highest point 2677m
Total gain 1019m
Total loss 1028m
Duration 05h35m
Distance 12.3Km
Rating 1062

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