From the Riss Valley to the Plumsjoch Hut

The hike from the Riss Valley, from the Hagel Huts to the Plumsjoch Hut, is well-suited for a Sunday trip with children. The 600 metres of ascent are easy to manage on the steadily, but never too steeply, rising path, and as a (mid-way) destination, a stop at the rustic Plumsjoch Hut and the magnificent view of Gamsjoch, Laliderer Falk, Engtal, and the main Karwendel range are enticing.

The day started overcast, but the alpine weather forecast (and the satellite image) promised clearing skies and blue sky with sun later in the day. The first 30 minutes led through the cool and shady green of the forest, before the path merged into a track and followed it for a while. This track is also open to mountain bikers. I am always fascinated by the saturated green tones of the mountain forests, especially the herbaceous forest floor – which radiates vitality and fertility. At the Plumsalm, halfway to the Plumsjoch, we left the track and followed the footpath through now lighter forest and flower-rich alpine meadows, always with the Plumsjoch Hut ahead and above us in view. After a final short steep climb, the rustic hut was finally reached.

It’s only a few metres to the Plumsjoch saddle, which is the transition to the Gerntal valley towards Pertisau and Lake Achensee. To the north, the Montscheinspitze (2106 m), a popular panoramic peak, towers above, and to the south, steep switchbacks lead up the normal ascent to the north ridge of the Bettlerkarspitze (2268 m).

After a hearty and extensive lunch, we decided not to return directly, but instead followed the Grasbergjoch ridge path past the Satteljoch and descended via the Hasentalalm to enjoy the magnificent view of the Great Ahornboden.