Tour to the Ganalm in the Karwendel mountains

The tour to the Ganalm is one of the most special experiences in the Karwendel mountains. No spectacular summits, no tourist hustle and bustle - and that's what makes it so unique. If you are looking for the tranquillity of the mountains, you will find it here: on a quiet path along the Vomper Loch, with impressive views of the Karwendel peaks and a destination that almost seems to have fallen out of time.

A quiet start - from Gnadenwald to the Walderalm

The tour starts in Gnadenwald, a small village above Hall in Tirol. There, on the Hinterhornalmstraße, is a public car park for hikers - the starting point of the tour. From here, a pleasantly ascending path leads through woods and meadows up to the Walderalm. The ascent takes around 1 to 1.5 hours and offers beautiful views of the Inntal valley and the main Alpine ridge.

The actual, quieter part of the tour begins at the Walderalm: a wide forest path that gently leads in a north-westerly direction into the heart of the Karwendel.

On the edge of the wild - the Vomper Loch

What makes this trail special is its location: it runs directly along the Vomper Loch, a wild, almost inaccessible gorge that is considered one of the loneliest in Tyrol. The view into the depths is impressive - craggy rocks, dark forests, hardly any traces of human use. At the same time, the view upwards opens up again and again: the striking peaks of the Karwendel mountains tower all around, rugged, majestic, impressively silent.

The path is easy to walk, but long - solitude is a constant companion. No noise, no network reception, just wind, bird calls and your own cadence.

The actual, quieter part of the tour begins at the Walderalm: a wide forest path that gently leads in a north-westerly direction into the heart

The Ganalm - remote, authentic, impressive

After around two hours you reach the Ganalm - one of the most remote mountain pastures in Tyrol. It is located on a small plateau, surrounded by meadows, mountain pines and rock faces. No car comes here, no road leads to it. The alp seems like a retreat from another time.

The view from here is breathtaking: the Karwendel spreads out in all its wildness and beauty. If you're lucky, you'll be served simple refreshments - often fresh milk, buttermilk or a piece of bread. But even if the mountain hut is closed, the tour is worth it for the scenery alone.

The tranquillity up here is profound - it's one of those places where you automatically slow down, sit down, look, breathe. And that's exactly what makes this place so special.

Practical tips for the tour to the Ganalm

Starting point: Gnadenwald (Tyrol), car park on the Hinterhornalm road

Route description:

Gnadenwald - Walderalm: approx. 1-1.5 hours

Walderalm - Ganalm: approx. 2-2.5 hours

Return route identical

Total time: 6-7 hours (outward and return journey)

Metres in altitude: Approx. 600 metres in total

Difficulty: Easy to moderately difficult - wide, easy paths, no technical passages, but stamina required

Suitable for:

Experienced hikers

Families with older, sure-footed children

Mountain bikers (possible up to the Alm)

Best time: May to October (note snow conditions)

Special features:

Secluded, natural trail through one of the most remote regions in Tyrol

Deep views into the Vomper Loch and far-reaching views of the Karwendel peaks

Authentic alpine pasture without the tourist hustle and bustle

No mobile phone reception - ideal for switching off