Walking on the Seefeld Plateau

Walking on the Seefeld plateau means that you will be walking in the Alps and that, in turn, means that the preparation that you make for a day out in the mountains may need to be a little bit different from your normal preparations at home. Make yourself familiar with the way that walking works in Austria and you'll be confident of enjoying your day out in the mountain air!

Equipment

It depends on what you are planning for your day out. A lot of people now possess the "semi-training shoe/semi-walking boot" hybrid, and they will be fine for lower-level walks. However, for high mountain walks, where surefootedness is required, then there is no substitute for properly designed walking boots with good soles.

The weather can change quickly in the mountains. Make sure that you try to get an up-to-date weather forecast before you go off for the day - but whatever it says, take your raingear with you. Try to wear layers of clothing when you go walking, rather than one bulky top, as that will give you more options if the weather or altitude changes during the day. The sun can be as unpleasant as the rain at altitude and, even on a cloudy day, sunburn can be a real possibility. Always wear high-factor suncream and sunglasses if it is a bright day.

Remember to take food and drink with you. It is very easy to dehydrate when you are out on a walk so a waterbottle is an essential part of your kit. A few muesli bars packed away in your pack can help perk up a tired body.

Lastly, many European walkers already know the advantages of using walking poles. They will help you get into a steady rhythm on a climb, but it is on the descent that their worth really becomes apparent. As well as advantages in balance, they will save tremendous amounts of strain on your knees.

Trail Markings

The Tyrolean walking trail markings are being upgraded - the newer-looking yellow signs are the most up-to-date ones.

The main change is that there is no longer any blue - or "easy" marking. Trails with no colour are considered to be suitable for anyone who has the requisite fitness to go walking in the mountains. These are classified as "walking trails"

Trails marked with a red or black dot are now considered to be "mountain walking trails" with the implication a greater degree of care from the side of the walker.

Trails that are marked red have the following description:

"Red mountain paths are walking trails of medium difficulty. They are well-signposted, mostly narrow, sometimes steep and in bad weather necessitate experience of the mountains. They can possess short secured passages or secured scrambling sections. These trails should be used by surefooted and fit walkers with appropriate mountain walking equipment."

Trails that are marked black have the following description:

"Black mountain paths are difficult trails. They are adequately signposted, narrow, completely or mostly steep and can be dangerous in bad weather. These mountain trails can also have lengthy sections of secured scrambling and should only be attempted by completely surefooted and experienced walkers who do not suffer from vertigo. The equipment carried should be appropriate to the route."

Please remember that, as with any active sport, it is your responsibility to equip and inform yourself adequately before you set out.

Walking Trails on the Seefeld Plateau

Eppzirleralm - Walk accessible from Seefeld, Scharnitz
Gleierschklamm - Walk accessible from Scharnitz
Gschwandtkopf - Walk accessible from Seefeld, Mösern, Reith
Leutaschklamm - Walk accessible from Leutasch
Puitalm - Walk accessible from Leutasch
Reitherjochalm - Walk accessible from Seefeld, Reith
Wildmoos - Walk accessible from Seefeld, Leutasch, Mösern

Tiroler Adlerweg
Tiroler Adlerweg - Zirl-Giessenbach
Tiroler Adlerweg - Giessenbach-Leutasch

Extensive information (in German only) about the variety of walking on the Seefeld plateau is also available from Seefeld-Wandern.