Walking in Austria. Kev Reynolds

upon a rocky spur projecting from the Klein Litzner at the head of the Kromertal, the Saarbrucker Hut is used by climbers tackling an assortment of neighbouring peaks, as well as by hut-to-hut trekkers, for there are several passes nearby that link with other refuges on both sides of the frontier. It’s a traditional hut, easily accessible and often very busy. There are two routes to it through the Kromertal, the shorter of which follows a track all the way from the southern end of the Vermunt reservoir. The route described here, though longer and slightly more demanding, is the more scenic option.

      From the western side of the Bielerhöhe car park take a waymarked path which descends below the road to the Madlener-Haus. Pass along its left-hand side and, a few paces later, follow the red-and-white waymarked path (no 302) cutting left ahead along the edge of a gully. It then descends into the gully and crosses a stream before working along the lower hillside to a signed fork at 1950m.

      The Grosser Seehorn overlooks the Saarbrücker Hut

      Branch left and angle across the hillside, rising to turn a spur and reach a sloping shelf above the entrance to the Kromertal. Crossing minor streams the path rises again, making a few twists, then over a rocky shoulder and a rock tip beyond. A succession of shoulders are crossed or turned before coming to two small tarns. Soon after, the way descends a little to cross the Kromer Bach by footbridge. A few paces later come onto the track which serves the hut. A sign here indicates 50mins to reach it.

      Either follow the track as it winds up into a stony basin below glacial remnants, or take the more direct, but steeper, waymarked path leading directly to the Saarbrucker Hut.

      The Saarbrucker Hut is a large Category I hut with 20 beds in rooms, and 80 dormitory places. It is manned at Easter and Whitsun, and from July to the end of September (tel [phone]).

      ROUTE 11

      Wiesbadener Hut (2443m) – Litzner Sattel (2737m) – Saarbrucker Hut (2538m)

Start	Wiesbadener Hut (2443m)
Valley base	Bielerhöhe
Distance	10km
Height gain	696m
Height loss	641m
Grade	3
Time	4½hrs
Location	Northwest of the Wiesbadener Hut

      Classified as an ‘Alpine route’ suitable for experienced mountain walkers only, this is a popular cross-country trek for climbers moving from one hut to the next. The Litzner Sattel lies in a ridge running northeast of the elegant rock pinnacle of the Gross Litzner, and on its northern side lie the remnants of a small glacier – mostly snow now, but it could be icy in its upper reaches.

      From the Wiesbadener Hut (see Route 12) walk down the track/dirt road to the southern end of the Silvretta Stausee reservoir. Cross the bridge over the torrent which drains the Ochsental, and at the next junction branch left into the Klostertal (about 1hr to here).

      A good path keeps to the left of the Klostertaler Bach, and about 45mins after entering the valley, you come to a sign stating that the unmanned Klostertaler Hut is just 20mins ahead. Fork right here on a narrow trail which soon crosses two branches of the stream on what was found to be a somewhat dubious footbridge during research.

      The trail now weaves alongside the stream, then climbs a steep grass slope in the little side valley known as the Verhupftäli. Where there are brief rock slabs to mount, fixed ropes provide aid, and once you’ve climbed above these the way continues up to a plateau at about 2500m. This leads to the upper basin which is topped by the ridge connecting the Gross Litzner to the Sattelkopf and Verhupfspitz.

      A line of small cairns and waymarks direct the path up a steep ramp of rocks to a prominent cairn. Bear left (west) along the ridge, descend to a saddle and pass along the left-hand side of a small lake, then curve north to reach the Litzner Sattel (about 3½hrs from the Wiesbadener Hut).

      Descend the northern side of the pass to a steep snow slope (caution). Angle a little leftwards down this slope, and at the foot of the snow you’ll find blue and white waymarks taking the trail down to a second snow slope. Below this more waymarks lead into a basin below the Saarbrucker Hut. Join its service road/track and follow it up to the hut, whose details are found under Route 10.

      ROUTE 12

      Bielerhöhe (2036m) – Wiesbadener Hut (2443m) – Radsattel (2652m) – Bielerhöhe

Start	Bielerhöhe (2036m)
Valley base	Bielerhöhe or Galtür
Distance	13km
Height gain	616m
Height loss	616m
Grade	2–3
Time	5–6hrs
Location	Southeast of the Bielerhöhe

      A circular tour with close views of Piz Buin and the Dreiländerspitz, visiting a popular mountain hut and crossing an easy pass, this makes an excellent day’s walk.

      From the Bielerhöhe car park cross the dam wall and wander along a good path on the western side of the Silvretta Stausee. When the path forks near the end of the lake take the left branch (the right branch is for the Klostertal). Shortly after cross the Klostertaler Bach and continue round the southern end of the lake, and having crossed a second stream join the east bank trail and bear right into the Ochsental. Mountain views increase in grandeur, and glaciers and snowfields of the Dreiländerspitz, Piz Buin, Signalhorn and Silvrettahorn form a gleaming white backrop. Several minor streams are crossed as the path rises to the Wiesbadener Hut (2443m) about 2–2½hrs from the Bielerhöhe.

      The Silvretta reservoir at the Bielerhöhe

      The Wiesbadener Hut (Category I) has 160 dormitory places and 40 beds, and is fully staffed from the end of February to early May, and from the end of June to early October (tel [phone]).

      A few paces beyond the hut bear left on the Edmund Lorenz Weg, a trail climbing northward with a few zigzags up to a high, stone-littered meadow – a good vantage point from which to study Piz Buin and its neighbours. Cairns and waymarks guide the continuing way into a rolling pastureland where a few minor pools are found in early summer. From here the path climbs a final slope to the 2652m Radsattel by a series of zigzags. This saddle, or pass, on the southeast ridge of the Hohes Rad marks the boundary between Vorarlberg and Tyrol.

      The ascent of the Hohes Rad (2934m) is recommended if you have the time and energy. Take the left-hand path at the Radsattel. Heading north it cuts along the east side of the ridge to a point about 200m above the little Radsee, where a sign painted on a rock directs the ascent route up to the left. The way is a little exposed, and some easy scrambling is involved, but the summit is reached about 30–45mins from the Radsattel. The panoramic view makes the effort worthwhile.

      At the Radsattel take the right fork at the path junction to descend northeastwards. Snow patches often lie well into summer