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How to Visit Grosser Ahornboden in Tirol, Karwendel Nature Park, Austria

Grosser Ahornboden is a wide grassy plain in the secluded Hinterrisstal (โ€œUpper Riss Valleyโ€), tucked away in Karwendel Nature Park in Tirol, Austria.

This upper part of the Risstal Valley is called Grosser Ahornboden, โ€œGreat Maple Floor,โ€ because itโ€™s studded with 2,300 sycamore maple trees, some 600 years old.

The beauty of this hidden valley is heightened by the sheer rock faces of the Karwendel Mountains, rising above it on all sides. 

Another attraction of Hinterrisstal is the Eng Almdorf, which is a small alpine pasture village situated at the very end of the valley, just beyond Grosser Ahornboden. This part of Hinterrisstal is often called Eng Valley.

Grosser Ahornboden is a worthy day trip from Lake Achensee, Innsbruck, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Mittenwald, and even Munich.

However, we highly recommend staying at least two nights at Die Eng – Alpengasthof und Naturhotel to explore the many Karwendel hiking trails which start at the hotelโ€™s doorstep.

If you’re curious of how to integrate a visit to Grosser Ahornboden into a road trip, take a look at our 10-day Bavarian Alps & Tyrolean Alps itinerary, starting at the Munich International Airport.

Grosser Ahornboden, Karwendel Nature Park, Austria

Overview Map


Location

Grosser Ahornboden, Karwendel Nature Park, Austria

Grosser Ahornboden is located in Tirol, Austria. However, it’s only accessible by car/bus from Bavaria, Germany.

Drivers must pay a 7 EUR toll to drive the Eng-Hinterriss toll road to the Eng Alpine Pasture and Grosser Ahornboden. The toll increases to 10 EUR if you spend one or more nights in the Eng.

There’s a large free car park at Alpengasthof Eng.


When to Visit

Grosser Ahornboden Great Maple Floor in Karwendel Nature Park, Tyrol, Austria

Grosser Ahornboden is only accessible from early May until late October, depending on snow conditions. Exact opening and closing dates Hinterriss-Eng toll road.

Grosser Ahornboden, Great Maple Floor, Tyrol, Austria

In summer, Engalm (1250 m) is an active alpine pasture, where they still produce cheese on-site. During the summer hiking season, all the nearby mountain refuges (e.g. Falkenhรผtte, Lamsenjochhรผtte) are open.

In Autumn, Grosser Ahornboden is a very popular destination for photographing fall foliage.

Related: Autumn in Austria: Top Destinations


Hiking Trails


Gamsjoch

Gamsjoch Ridge Trail, Karwendel Mountains, Tyrol, Austria

Gamsjoch (2452 m) is a three-headed mountain in the Eastern Karwendel Mountains.

The western summit of Gamsjoch (2438 m) is a popular peak hike, because of its sweeping views of Hinterautal-Vomper-Kette, which is the largest mountain chain in the Karwendel Mountains.

This day hike begins at the Eng Alpine Pasture at the end of Risstal Valley.

Hikers have the option to ascend to Gamsjoch via Hohljoch saddle (the easier, but longer option), or via the unmarked Gumpenkar stream bed/cirque (unmarked and painfully steep, but shorter option).


Trail Stats

Gamsjoch Hike, Karwendel Nature Park, Tyrol, Austria

Trailhead | Eng Almdorf

Distance | 13.8 km circuit

Time Needed | 6:30 hours

Elevation Gain/Loss | 1324 meters

Difficulty | Difficult. You need stamina, a head for heights, and good trail intuition. 

Learn More: Gamsjoch Trail Guide


Binsalm Alpine Pasture

Eng Almdorf, Grosser Ahornboden, Austria

This short circuit trail to the Binsalm alpine pasture hut is an easy hike, suitable for the whole family. Starting at Alpengasthof Eng, follow signs to “Panoramaweg” and “Drijaggenalm.”

The path narrows and ascends, with views of Lalidererwรคnde and Birkkarspitze. Once you reach the unmanaged Drijaggenalm, the highest point of the tour, continue to Binsalm.

Binsalm (1500 m) is an active alpine pasture, managed from mid-May until the end of October. Grab a bite to eat here, before completing the circuit to Eng Almdorf (30 minutes).


Trail Stats

Trailhead | Eng Almdorf

Distance | 5.8 km circuit

Time Needed | 2:15 hours

Elevation Gain/Loss | 440 meters

Difficulty | Easy – Moderate


Falkenhรผtte Mountain Hut

Falkenhรผtte Mountain Hut Hike, Karwendel Mountains, Austria

Falkenhรผtte is a mountain hut situated at the foot of the Lalidererwรคnde at an elevation of 1848 meters.

Like the other hikes, the trail to Falkenhรผtte begins at Engalm alpine pasture.

Following the Via Alpina, the path steadily ascends through forest to Hohljoch saddle (1794 m).

From here, the path continues straigh ahead, now downhill along the Lalidererwรคnde walls. You’ll make a final counter-ascent to Spielissjoch saddle (1773 m) and onwards to Falkenhรผtte (1848 m).


Trail Stats

Trailhead | Eng Almdorf

Distance | 13.5 km out-and-back

Time Needed | 5 hours

Elevation Gain/Loss | 890 meters

Difficulty | Moderate


Where to Stay


Die Eng – Alpengasthof & Naturhotel

Die Eng, Grosser Ahornboden, Austria

Midrange | After hiking to Gamsjoch, we spent the night at the Alpengasthof and Naturhotel die Eng. The hotel is located directly at the trailhead, between Grosser Ahornboden and the Eng Alpine Pasture.

It’s the best possible base for hiking in this region. You could stay here for a week and not run out of hiking options.

This mountains hotel has comfortable, modern rooms – many of which were recently refurbished. The hotel also has on-site restaurant and a relaxing spa area (modernized in 2022) that will revive your legs after the hike.

Book your Stay at Alpengasthof and Naturhotel die Eng.


More Tyrol Hiking Guides

Lake Achensee:

Innsbruck:

Wetterstein Mountains / Seefeld Plateau:

Mayrhofen / Zillertal:

Ehrwald:

East Tyrol:

Treks:



Sabrina Brett

Hello! Iโ€™m a spirited traveler on a quest to hike in the most picturesque alpine and coastal destinations across Europe. In 2016, I left my home and job in San Francisco, California, to move to Germany, and later Austria. The following year, I created this blog to help like-minded travelers experience new and exciting ways to travel authentically. I travel to hike, and I hope to inspire your next adventure.

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