Sunnenseit’n Weg, or Sunnyside Trail, is a short and easy point-to-point hike that runs on the western side of Stubai Valley from Kreuzjochbahn middle station, above Fulpmes, to Neustift. This well-groomed trail is a perfect excursion for families with kids and anyone who wants to enjoy panoramic views of Stubai Valley and the Stubai Alps with very little effort.
The Sunnyside path links three notable Naturschauplätze, or scenic nature sites, of Stubaital, including (1) Naturschauplatz Gschmitz, (2) Naturschauplatz Neustiftblick, and (3) Naturschauplatz Kartnall.
- Parking: Schlick 2000 ski area car park in Fulpmes: Google Maps
- Starting Point: Kreuzjochbahn middle station
- Ending Point: Neustift
- Distance: 10.6 km point-to-point
- Time Needed: 3:30 hours
- Elevation Gain: 334 meters
- Elevation Loss: 698 meters
- Difficulty: Easy
- Where to Stay in Fulpmes: Lärchenlodge Apartments and Spa (aparthotel), or Alpenhotel Tirolerhof in Fulpmes (hotel)
- Where to Stay in Neustift: Hotel Brunnenhof (3-star hotel), Activehotel Bergkönig (4-star hotel), or Alpeiner – Nature Resort Tirol (4-star hotel)
- Recommended Itinerary: Stubai Summer Getaway
Sunnenseit’n Weg Map
Essential Trail Info
Trailhead | Kreuzjochbahn middle station aka Froneben middle station.
How to Get to the Trailhead | Navigate to the Kreuzjochbahn cable car in the Schlick 2000 ski-hiking resort area. There is a free car park near the valley station called Fulpmes Schlick 2000 Parkplatz. The Kreuzjochbahn gondola connects Fulpmes with Kreuzjoch (2136 m), but for the purpose of the Sunnenseit’n Weg hike, you only need to ride the gondola to the middle station.
Hiking Season | May – October
Trail Direction | The trail unfolds more beautifully if you hike from Kreuzjochbahn to Neustift.
Difficulty | Easy. This is a family-friendly trail, with no difficult sections. Though the trail mostly descends, expect a few ascending passages. This path is not suitable for strollers.
Trail Variations | You may want to ascend all the way up to the Kreuzjoch mountain station to marvel at the views of the Kalkkögel massif, walk up to the Aussichtsplattform Stubaiblick viewpoint, and eat lunch at the Panorama Restaurant Kreuzjoch. To extend the hike, trace the Naturlehrweg, or Nature Trail Schlick 2000, from the mountain station to the middle station.
Where to Eat | Fronebenalm, Berggasthof Vergör, or Jausenstation Oberkartnall
Sunnenseit’n Weg Trail Description
Kreuzjochbahn Middle Station to Berggasthof Vergör (50 minutes)
Always follow the signs to Hängebrücke, which means “suspension bridge.” The Sunnenseit’n Weg trail is indicated by a gray sticker, usually placed next to the word Hängebrücke on the yellow trail signs.
At first, the Sunnenseit’n Weg follows the Baumhausweg (treehouse trail), which links a series of treehouses and playgrounds.
When you disembark the Kreuzjochbahn at the middle station, you can either follow the shortcut path that bypasses the initial stretch of the Baumhausweg to Fronebenalm, or follow the more roundabout treehouse trail to Fronebenalm.
If you’re traveling with kids, definitely follow the Baumhausweg, so your children don’t miss one of the treehouse playgrounds.
The two paths connect and lead southwest across the forested mountainside, initially along a wide gravel path. Along the way, you’ll pass a series of treehouses.
Shortly before Berggasthof Vergör, also signed Jausenstation Vergör, the trail emerges from the forest, crossing a sloping meadow. The views of the valley and mountains are wondrous.
Berggasthof Vergör to Naturschauplatz Gschmitz (25 minutes)
Continue walking toward the suspension bridge. After about 15 minutes, you’ll reach a junction where you can take a short detour to Naturschauplatz-Gschmitz. Although the sign indicates 10 minutes, it takes no more than five.
This Gschmitz viewpoint is an elevated platform around a larch tree, which overlooks a picture-perfect meadow with three hay huts, backed by the Stubai Alps. Below the platform, there’s a swing.
Naturschauplatz Gschmitz – Pfurtschell Farm – Naturschauplatz Neustiftblick – Hängebrücke am Sunnenseit’n Weg (50 minutes)
Retrace your steps back to the junction and continue hiking in the direction of the Hängebrücke.
When the trail intersects with the paved road, maintain the same direction and join the road to Pfurtschell mountain farm. The Pfurtschell apartments are a great budget-friendly option, but you’ll need to stay at least three nights.
Before crossing the 110-meter-long suspension bridge, hike up to the Naturschauplatz Neustiftblick viewpoint, which boasts an excellent vantage point of the bridge, the village of Neustift, and Mount Elfer.
Hängebrücke am Sunnenseit’n Weg – Naturschauplatz Kartnall – Jausenstation Oberkartnall – Neustift (1:20 hours)
After crossing the bridge, the trail continues along the same trajectory for 1.5 km (30 minutes).
When you reach a signed junction, make a sharp right in the direction of Kartnall and Oberkartnall. A narrow trail ascends to the Naturschauplatz Kartnall viewpoint and to the Jausenstation Oberkartnall mountain restaurant.
The steep sloping pastures of Kartnall, grazed by sheep, is a particularly romantic spot. Enjoy the view and a meal at Jausenstation Oberkartnall, before completing the hike.
Return to the Naturschauplatz Kartnall viewpoint and then hike down to Neustift village.
Where to Stay in Stubai Valley
There are 5 villages in Stubai Valley: Neustift, Fulpmes, Telfes, Mieders, and Schönberg. For the purpose of this hike, we recommend staying in either Fulpmes or Neustift.
Between May and October, many accommodations include a complimentary Stubai Super Card, which provides guests with one free ascent and descent on each of the four cable cars in the valley, including the Kreuzjochbahn.
3-star accommodations: Hotel Brunnenhof and Ausserwieserhof
4-star accommodations: Lärchenlodge Apartments and Spa, Biohotel Rastbichlhof, Activehotel Bergkönig, Alpenhotel Tirolerhof, and Alpeiner – Nature Resort Tirol
5-star accommodation: Relais & Châteaux Spa Hotel Jagdhof
Family-Friendly accommodation: Familotel Kindl
More Tyrol Hiking Guides
More Things to Do around Stubai Valley:
- Nockspitze-Saile Hike starting in Axamer Lizum
- Wolfsklamm Gorge Hike starting in Stans
- Hundskopf Peak via Felix Kuen Steig starting at Hinterhornalm
- Rotmoosalm – Wangalm – Wettersteinhütte Circuit Trail starting in Gaistal
- Lake Achensee
Tyrol & Innsbruck:
Austria Travel Itineraries:
- 2-Week Austria Road Trip – starting in Vienna
- 1-Week Austria Road Trip – starting in Salzburg or Munich
- 10-Day Bavarian Alps & Tyrolean Alps Road Trip – starting in Munich
- Salzkammergut Itinerary – starting in Vienna or Salzburg
- Munich to Dolomites Road Trip Route Options – starting in Munich
Car-Free Travel:
Hiking:
Pin this Image for Future Trip Planning!
Stay Connected:
Connect with us on Pinterest.
Follow us on Instagram.
Like us on Facebook.
Support Us:
If you love reading my content, you can send me a direct donation.
