It is one of the last sunny autumn weekends this year. We, Lukas and Maria from the Tatonka marketing team, want to take advantage of the great weather on Sunday to start one more trip into the mountains. We are excited to see our hiking backpacks for the upcoming season not just on the screen and in the office, but also to test them in their natural environment. To avoid the hustle and bustle and the crowds as much as possible on such a beautiful day, we get up extra early and are on time for the first mountain ride at 8:30 am at the Ehrwalder Almbahn, where our hike starts. We park our car there, which costs us 5 euros (effective October 2022) for the full day.
Tour data
- Start and end point: Ehrwalder Almbahn, Dr. Ludwig Ganghoferstr 66, 6632 Ehrwald, Austria
- Duration / walking time: approx. 3:15 hours
- Trail length: approx. 11.5 km
- Vertical meters upwards: 470
- Vertical meters downhill: 470
- Difficulty: medium
- Suitable for strollers: No
- Suitable for dogs:
- Refreshment stops: Coburger hut (link just in German) and mountain station of the Ehrwalder Almbahn
We decided to take the train up the first meters of altitude, since the two lakes are a popular destination for excursions and we thus gain some “head start” from the crowds. For ascent and descent we pay 19,50 Euro p. P. (effective October 2022). Already at the valley station we can sense the colorful autumn colors that give the landscape a very special look.
Arrived at the mountain station, our hike towards Seebensee begins and here we also start tracking our Komoot tour.
The tour on Komoot
Note: The Komoot tour ends unfortunately only halfway down the valley, because the colleague forgot to press stop in time
The first meters we walk gently uphill on a wide forest road towards the forest. Again and again the sun flashes out from behind the mountain and finally also between the trees, which results in a great light atmosphere.
In the forest, the path eventually narrows and we can always enjoy an impressive view of the Zugspitze massif. Using the signposts, we follow the path deeper into the forest.
After about 30 minutes of walking we leave the small forest path and end up again on a wider forest road. There we already recognize the striking Sonnenspitze, a two-thousand-meter peak right next to Seebensee.
A short time later and a few meters uphill we see it in front of us: the beautiful Seebensee! However, at this point it is still in the shade, which is why it looks just half as beautiful as when it is illuminated by the sun in its various shades of blue. So we decide to continue hiking without a break and to enjoy the view again in all its glory on the descent.
We continue uphill towards the dragon lake. We cross a meadow, at the end of which begins the serpentine climb up about 250 hm, which is strenuous but also beautiful and absolutely rewarding.
Because already after a few meters you have a great view over the Seebensee and the mountains behind. After the entertaining climb (which, by the way, is also the most strenuous part of this tour) and now a total of 6 km of trail, we reach the Coburger hut, which is located directly in front of the Drachensee and unfortunately already closed at this late time of year. Too bad for us – because we had already looked forward so much to a wheat beer and a Kaiserschmarren.
Fortunately, however, we have stocked up on snacks beforehand and are now enjoying them with a view of the gorgeous Drachensee and the surrounding peaks.
Unfortunately, the light does not reach the lake, which is why it remains in the dark, but the light atmosphere around noon is particularly beautiful. What we use of course to shoot a few photos.
After an extended break and a short nap on the meadow we start the way back. This leads us over the same way again to the back. Since the sun has now wandered a bit, we once again enjoy the view of the Seebensee from above.
Arriving back at Seebensee, we once again enjoy the sight of the turquoise and blue tones that the lake has now taken on. We don’t stay long, however, as there are now really a lot of people bustling around the lake.
On the way back, we admire the now fully illuminated mountain landscape and now look forward to a delicious Kaiserschmarren at the mountain station of the Ehrwalder Almbahn. To enjoy the golden mountain autumn once again to the fullest was the best decision this weekend!
Touring equipment
- Hiking backpack (depending on weather conditions and personal equipment between 15 and 25 liters)
- Drinking bottle with enough water or similar
- Cap
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen (at least sun protection factor 30)
- Sunscreen for the lips
