Experience Nature in the Valley of Mountain Huts

A nature trail leads from the valley head in Hüttschlag, alongside a stream and into Schödertal. 45 info boards along the way teach you all about animals, plants, geology, as well as the history of Grossarltal. 

Highlights along the path include Kreealm waterfall, the Ötzlsee, a natural Kneipp-therapy opportunity and, of course, Schödersee lake.

The Schödersee is the only periodic lake in Hohe Tauern National Park. During the time of the snow melt and after heavy rainfall, a lake – several hundred meters long and wide, forms in Schödertal (the walk there takes around 1 ½ hrs. one-way). During the dry period in summer, it dries up and only a narrow stream remains.  This plunges initially down several steep stages, then meanders gently along the broad bottom of the periodic lake, before finally disappearing between a few stones. 

The path leading to the lake is highly interesting: Initially you are accompanied by the water, but then things get quiet, almost eerily so. You don’t know why, until finally you realize that the water is no longer there, now flowing underground on this stage of the path. The view of the magnificent Schödersee – if it is even there, of course – will reward you for the effort that went into the hike up.

If you wish, and if you are in good physical condition, you can also continue your hike through this area of high-alpine virgin forest. After around 3 hours, you will reach the Arlscharte (elev. 2,252 m) with glorious views of the Hochalmspitze, Ankogel, as well as the Maltastausee with its imposing dam.

Wenn Sie noch Lust und Kondition haben, können Sie natürlich noch weiter durch diese hochalpine Urwaldlandschaft wandern. Nach rund 3 h Gehzeit erreichen Sie die Arlscharte (2.252 m) mit herrlichem Blick auf die Hochalmspitze, den Ankogel und den Maltastausee mit seiner imposanten Staumauer.