Grosser Ahornboden is a wide grassy plain in the secluded Hinterrisstal (“Upper Riss Valley”), tucked away in Karwendel Nature Park in Tirol, Austria.
This upper part of the Risstal Valley is called Grosser Ahornboden, “Great Maple Floor,” because it’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 hotel’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.
- Location: Hinterrisstal Valley, Tyrol, Austria | Google Maps
- When to Visit: Mid-June – mid/late October, depending on snow/weather conditions.
- Weather Forecast and Webcam: Bergfex Weather Hinterriß
- Where to Stay: Die Eng – Alpengasthof und Naturhotel (midrange)
- Recommended Hiking Map: Kompass hiking map Naturpark Karwendel 1:35 000
- Toll: 7 EUR/car
Overview Map
Location
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 is only accessible from early May until late October, depending on snow conditions. Exact opening and closing dates Hinterriss-Eng toll road.
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. Falkenhütte, Lamsenjochhütte) 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 (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
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
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 Lalidererwände 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
Falkenhütte Mountain Hut
Falkenhütte is a mountain hut situated at the foot of the Lalidererwände at an elevation of 1848 meters.
Like the other hikes, the trail to Falkenhütte 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 Lalidererwände walls. You’ll make a final counter-ascent to Spielissjoch saddle (1773 m) and onwards to Falkenhütte (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
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:
- Seekarspitze – Seebergspitze Ridge Trail
- Bärenkopf Summit Hike
- Lamsenjochhütte – Hahnkampl Circuit Trail
- Hochiss Peak Hike
Innsbruck:
- Stone Pine Path, Tux Alps
- Wolfsklamm Gorge
- Nockspitze Peak Hike
- Hundskopf Via Ferrata
- Where to Stay in Innsbruck
Wetterstein Mountains / Seefeld Plateau:
Mayrhofen / Zillertal:
Ehrwald:
East Tyrol:
Treks:
- Emperor’s Crown (Kaiserkrone) Trek
- Karwendel High Trail
- Eagle Walk – Lechtal Alps
- Berlin High Trail
- Venediger High Trail
