For the trail · alpventurer.com/grosser-widderstein-circuit-summit-baad
Großer Widderstein — Circling a Giant, Topping Out at 2,533 m
Großer Widderstein · Austria
- Time
- ~6.3 h moving; 8–9 h with breaks
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Season
- June–October
- Water
- Carry water; refill at huts and alps
- Parking
- Car park near the start, Paid: 2.00 EUR/hour;8.00 EUR/day, 47.309265, 10.120872
In short
This challenging loop starts in Baad, Austria, circles Großer Widderstein and includes a summit spur. It covers 16.1 km with 1,375 m of ascent and takes about 6.3 hours moving, or 8-9 hours with breaks. The route reaches 2,528 m and is described for June to October.
The route
- Distance
- 16.1 km
- Ascent
- +1,375 m
- Descent
- −1,375 m
- High point
- 2,528 m
- Lowest point
- 1,218 m
A Baad: 47.30917, 10.12123▲ Großer Widderstein: 47.28483, 10.12893
Walking time, without breaks
- Relaxed11 h 40 min
- Average9 h 20 min
- Fast7 h 30 min
How steep
- Under 8% 4.1 km
- 8 to 15% 4.2 km
- 15 to 25% 1.5 km
- Over 25% 4.0 km
In two parts
- Up to Großer Widderstein 6.9 km · +1,341 m
- Back down to Baad 6.8 km · −1,297 m
What to pack
Every hike
- Water: about 3.5 litres (half a litre an hour)
- Rain jacket
- A warm layer (fleece or light down)
- Sun cap, sunglasses and sun cream
- Boots or trail shoes with good grip
- Phone with the map offline, and a power bank
- Small first aid kit
- Headlamp, in case it gets late
- Some cash and your ID
For the summit
- Hat and gloves: it is colder and windier at the top
- Walking poles, for the way down
For a long day
- Lunch, and a snack for every two hours
- Salty snacks or electrolytes
- Blister plasters
Chains and scrambles
- Helmet, for falling stones
- Gloves for the cables
The guide
Route: Baad → Bärgunthütte → Hochalppass → Widderstein summit → Widderstein Hütte → Gemstelpass → Gemstelalpen → Gemstelboden → Baad (loop)
The Widderstein dominates Kleinwalsertal like a ship’s prow — steep walls, broken gullies, and ridges that drink the wind. The classic day out is a full circumnavigation with a summit spur: a long, satisfying mountain day with real hands-on moments near the top and easy hut stops below.
Approach: Baad → Bärgunthütte → Hochalppass
From Baad (1,220 m) the path rises gently along the Bärguntbach to Bärgunthütte (1,408 m) — meadows, water, and the massif building to your left. Beyond the hut the trail narrows, the stone gets sharper, and the Kleiner & Großer Widderstein stack into view. A final push over the Hochalppass (~2,000 m) opens big northern and southern panoramas; on clear days you’ll spot Hoher Ifen and the tiny Hochalpsee cupped below the saddle.
Summit Spur: “Red turns alpine”
At a signed junction, the summit path leaves the traverse and heads into a rubble gully. This is where the day changes character:
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Terrain: steep trail, loose scree, easy scrambling; short sections need hands.
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Objective hazard: rockfall in the gully; helmet recommended.
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Skills: sure-footed, comfortable with exposure.
The summit ridge appears suddenly; the cross at 2,533 m sits over a 360° pageant — Nebelhorn, Hochvogel, Mädelegabel NE; Biberkopf E; Schesaplana SW; a pick-and-mix of Allgäu and Lechtal giants in every direction.
Descend the same spur back to the circumnavigation line.
Traverse Out: Widderstein Hütte → Gemstelpass → Gemstelalpen → Baad
Drop to Widderstein Hütte (2,009 m) for a late bowl or a wheat beer with the north face in full view. The path then rolls to Gemstelpass (1,972 m) and down the Gemstel valley: Obere/Hintere Gemstelalpe and Bernhard’s Gemstelalpe dot the descent. At Gemstelboden pick the promenade back along the Breitach to Baad. It’s civilised, scenic, and kind on tired knees.
Trail Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Distance | 16.12 km (loop) |
| Elevation gain / loss | 1,375 m / 1,375 m |
| Max / Min elevation | 2,528 m / 1,217 m |
| Difficulty | Moderate–Hard (red hiking + short exposed summit spur) |
| Moving time (Naismith) | ~6.3 h (16.12/4 + 1,375/600) |
| Realistic day | 8–9 h with breaks, photos, summit spur congestion |
| Gear flag | Helmet advisable for summit gully; poles useful on descent |
Access & Start
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Trailhead: Baad (Kleinwalsertal, AUT). Paid hiker parking.
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By car: B19 via Sonthofen → Oberstdorf → Kleinwalsertal → Baad.
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Public transport: Train to Oberstdorf → Walserbus to Baad (frequent in season).
Season & Conditions
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Best: June–October; early summer can hold residual snow in gullies.
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After rain: summit gully is loose + greasy; rockfall risk increases.
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Heat: long day, little shade — carry water; refill at huts/alps.
Safety Notes (no drama, just true)
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Helmet on the summit spur (rockfall from parties above).
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Sure-footedness essential; short hands-on moves, light exposure.
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Turn-around rule: if the gully queues or you’re uncomfortable, skip the top; the loop alone is an excellent day.
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Weather window: this loop is long — avoid marginal forecasts.
Waypoints (logical anchors)
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Baad, P P1 → Bärgunthütte → Hochalppass → Summit spur jct. → Großer Widderstein 2,533 m → back to spur jct. → Widderstein Hütte → Gemstelpass → Gemstelalpen → Gemstelboden → Baad.
Huts & Refill
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Bärgunthütte (1,408 m) — early stop, water, simple food.
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Widderstein Hütte (2,009 m) — full kitchen, best views.
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Gemstelalpen — seasonal dairy stops in descent.
What I’d Pack
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Helmet, light shell, sun protection, 2 L water, poles, small first-aid, map/app with offline tiles.
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Shoes: proper mountain shoes (grippy sole; avoid lifestyle sneakers).