The easy hike to Gamsalm in the Tyrolean Zugspitze village of Ehrwald is feasible for young and old. Short distance, wonderful views of the Alps, a wide range of outdoor activities and excellent alpine cuisine are the reasons why the Gamsalm remains a popular destination at any time of the year. In autumn or winter, the hut is a special highlight.

Tour profile

Difficulty level: easy
Route length: approx. 4 km (total from Ehrwald and back)
ascents: approx. 250 hm
descents: approx. 250 hm

Getting there

By train: From Grainau, take the regional train towards Reutte/Vils. In 15 minutes you can reach the Ehrwald Zugspitzbahn train station. From here, follow Zugspitzstraße on foot for about 1.5 km until you reach the junction to Ebne/Adolf-Pichler-Weg. The Adolf-Pichler-Weg is a cozy forest road that takes hikers to the ski slopes in about 15 minutes. You are welcome to take a short break at the bench, which is here on the side of the slopes. You then follow the ski slopes and reach Gamsalm after another 15-20 minutes. While skiing, you should of course stay on the edge of the slopes and watch out for skiers.

By car: Take the B23 to Ehrwald. Right at the town border, turn left under the railway bridge. In Ehrwald, follow the signs for the Wetterstein lifts, where there is a parking lot for skiers and hikers. From the car park, follow the ski slopes to the hut. Alternatively, you can park at the top of the Tiroler Zugspitze Railway in Obermoos and take the forest path to Gamsalm.

The Gamsalm

The Gamsalm (1,278 m above sea level) is located directly on the Gamskarabfahrt ski slope in the middle of the Wettersteinbahnen ski area. With its attractively decorated dining rooms and sun terrace, which is also popular in winter, it offers a typical winter sports atmosphere. In winter, you can stop by skiing here, whether on a ski tour or as a break while skiing. Outside of ski hours, sledgers can enjoy the Gamsalm as a toboggan hut. When the weather is nice, the outdoor sun loungers never remain empty.

In snow-free times, the hut can be reached on numerous hiking routes on the Tyrolean side of the Zugspitze. Well-maintained, easy-to-walk trails ensure that the hut remains an attraction for guests and locals even in off-season. Especially during the cold Advent season, a cozy stop at Gamsalm with mulled wine and Kaiserschmarrn is a real dream! There is a nice playground for children. Below the hut is the picturesque Gamskarsee, which supplies the ski cannons in the ski area with its water in winter. From here, you can see the Ehrwalder Sonnenspitz (2,417 m), Daniel (2,340 m) with Uppsspitze as the highest mountain in the Ammergau Alps, Gartner Wand (2,377 m), Pleisspitze (2,225 m), Grubigstein (2,233 m) and other peaks in the Eastern Alps.

Activities on the Gamsalm:

• skiing. The nice little ski area of Wettersteinbahnen is perfect for families and beginners. Night skiing is also offered from time to time, but not on the chamois downhill run. The cable cars in Ehrwald are included in the Top Snow Card.
• Tobogganing on the slopes. For safety reasons, tobogganing is only possible outside of ski operating hours. As long as the slopes remain snow-covered, you can sled from the hut down into the valley. Of course, you have to carry up the sled or pointed bob. After stopping off at the hut, drive briefly down to the Gamskar lift and then take the pull path to the left, which leads slightly uphill to the large ski slope. From here, you can descend at least 300-400 meters into the valley. The slope ends right at the parking lot.
• Short hiking tour from Ehrwald via the Gamsalm and Tiroler Zugspitzbahn (easy). The circuit has max. 6 km and less than 300 hm. It is ideal as an easy walk after lunch break or as a family hike. Click here for the route description.
• Large hiking tour via the Ehrwalder Almbahn valley station, Koppensteig, Ehrwalder Höhenweg and Gamsalm (moderately difficult). At 9 km and 430 m, this route requires good fitness and over 3 hours of time. The tour is also suitable as a family hike. Click here for the route description.
• Hike or bike ride to the Hochthörlehütte and on to the Eibsee (medium to difficult). The route to the Hochthörlehütte (1,479 m) is approx. 7 km and almost 500 m in one direction, so you should plan a little more time here. The forest road is also suitable for mountain bikes. This makes the Gamsalm a perfect base on the long route, where you can plan a pleasant drinking break. From the Hochthörlehütte, you can continue or continue to Eibsee (+ 6 km) and Grainau (+ 4 km), which is quite a long tour. Accordingly, you should bring appropriate equipment (e.g. light or food) and plan enough time, especially if you rely on public transport.
• Hiking to the Wiener-Neustädter Hütte (difficult, for experienced people too with Zugspitze summit). Through the Gamskar, it goes from the Gamsalm on steep gravel roads to the Wiener-Neustädter Hütte. At 1,100 m above sea level, the climb is one of the most demanding hikes in the Zugspitze region. Just before the hut, you will be rewarded with a fantastic view of Lake Eibsee. The hut is located at an altitude of 2,200 m not far from the Stopselzieher via ferrata, so climbing or crossing the Zugspitze can start here. After 700 meters in altitude, you reach the Zugspitze summit, from here you can take the Tiroler Zugspitze Railway back to Obermoos. Experienced mountaineers can descend on foot via the Knorrhütte and Gatterl to Ehrwald to the Ehrwalder Almbahn car park and return to the starting point via the Koppensteig.

Tips & info:

• Gamsalm - webpage
• Wettersteinbahnen Ehrwald Ski Resort - webpage
• Tyrolean Zugspitze Railway - webpage
• Hochthörlehütte - webpage
• Wiener-Neustädter Hütte - webpage

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