Rotspitzl

A short walk from the hotel took us to the bus stop where we caught the local bus to Gasteig, higher up the Stubai valley. After a very short stretch on the road we set off on a path through the trees, continually zig-zagging upwards. We were pleased to be in the trees so that we didn’t feel the full force of the sun. A few stops were needed to re-group and catch our breath before continuing ever onwards and upwards. Breaks in the trees afforded views back down to the valley and across to higher mountain tops. Eventually we emerged above the tree line and reached the remote 350 year old Mischbachalm. This was a very basic but characterful affair. Here we had a 'first lunch' as we still had more climbing to do, with one particularly taxing section. Before long we reached Rotspitzl, with its ornate cross. After photos and signing the book we enjoyed the rest of our lunch.

The second half of our walk was to be all downhill, descending the 4,000 feet that we had climbed. The path was generally not too steep and we made very good time. A short stop was taken at Bacherwandalm where the owner had a novel way of keeping the drinks cool. Crates of bottles were placed in a trough where stream water ran in at one end and out at the other. Suitably refreshed we continued on our way to Volderau where we caught the bus back to Fulpmes.