Alp stories: The Eppzirler Alp and its hosts

The roots of the alp go back a long way: already in the 16th century the Eppzirl was mentioned several times in the "Gejaidbuch der Graffschaft Tirol". At that time, valuable Tyrolean stone oil was also already being extracted. In the beginning, however, it was not very successful - Eppzirl only experienced its heyday as a mining area in the 19th century with the development of cast iron crucibles. At that time the mountain pasture was given the secondary name "Goldalpe". Oil shale deposits were dug in up to ten pits for the valuable stone oil. In the 1920s, the Eppzirler Alm experienced its very own "Golden Twenties". In addition to the stables, which still exist today, the Sennhütte was built, and in 1932 the alp was made accessible for the first time by a forest road. Until today it is preserved as a jewel of alpine pasture and high mountain landscape.

In total, the alpine pasture covers an area of about 1,100 hectares and is managed from the beginning of June to end-October (depending on weather conditions). Then around 100 head of cattle also graze on the meadows, which the hut keepers keep a constantly watchful eye on. Hikers always like to take a seat on the sun terrace. The menu is small, but stocked with everything that makes hikers' hearts happy. Served are bacon and cheese dumplings with cabbage, soup or salad, a richly stocked Jausenbrettl, bacon and cheese sandwiches and wonderfully fragrant homemade apple strudel.

The panoramic view over the gentle, lush meadows of the alpine pasture on one side and the jagged limestone peaks of the Karwendel mountains on the other side amazes every visitor. Behind the lovely alp, the Erlspitze, the Eppzirler Scharte, the Freiungstürme, the Kuhjoch and Reither Spitze are enthroned - the views are truly breathtaking, allowing hikers to relax and at the same time giving them energy. For this feeling, you don't even have to have stood on the peaks in Eppzirl.

The Eppzirler Alm can be reached comfortably via the forest path in about two hours from Gießenbach. The route is family-friendly and also good for children. If you like, the Eppzirler Alm is the end point, or you can use it as a starting point for further hikes, for example via the Eppzirler Scharte to the Solsteinhaus (walking time: 2.5 to 3 h / difference in altitude: 350 m) or via the Ursprungsattel to the Nördlinger Hütte (walking time: 4.5 to 5 h / difference in altitude: 779 m) or for summit tours on one of the Karwendel peaks.

The more ambitious take the circular hike from the valley station of the Rosshütte cable car via the Schlagkopf, the Eppzirler Alm and the Nördlinger Hütte and via the Reitherjochalm back to Seefeld. The entire route is just over 20 kilometers long, the tour takes about ten hours and requires a really good physical condition as well as surefootedness and a head for heights. If you bring all this with you, it is truly sensational and rewards you with tingling views and far-reaching vistas and plenty of happiness. Also on the 15th stage of the Adlerweg, which leads from the Solsteinhaus via Scharnitz to Leutasch, you pass the alp via the Eppzirler Scharte down.