Overview
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Gaisalmsteig overview
8,6 km
253 m
2 - 3 hours
Point to Point trail with boat
Out & Back without boat
Easy - Moderate - Difficult - Expert
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About Achensee and Gaisalm
Achensee, also known as Lake Achen, is a beautiful lake in Tyrol Austria, known for its clear turquoise waters and picturesque alpine surroundings. It spans approximately 9 kilometers in length and 1 kilometer in width, making it the largest lake in the Tyrol region.
The lake is located at an altitude of 929 meters above sea level and its deepest point has a depth of 133 meters.
On the western shore of Achensee, you find Gaisalm. This is a charming alpine hut and restaurant, that can only be reached by foot or by boat.
At this hut, you can have a rest, a refreshing drink, and a snack while enjoying some beautiful views over Achensee. It is therefore a popular stop for hikers on the Gaisalmsteig.
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Sleep at farms
Gaisalmsteig hike
The Gaisalmsteig is an easy-going hiking trail between Pertisau and Achenkirch along Gaisalm. The trail between Achenkirch and Gaisalm is also called the Mariensteig.
The hike is moderately challenging, with some steeper sections requiring careful footing, but it is accessible to most hikers with a reasonable level of fitness. Note that some parts are very small and exposed.
You can do the hike in both directions, so you can start in both Pertisau and Achenkirch. At the end of the hike, you can take a boat back to your starting point in both villages. Alternatively, you can also start by taking the boat and hiking back to where you left off.
If the entire walk is a bit too long, you can also take a boat back halfway to Gaisalm or start by taking the boat there.
The trail between Gaisalm and Pertisau is most frequently hiked as it is the easiest part. Because of the weather forecast, we chose to start hiking from Pertisau only until Gaisalm and hiked back the same way.
Pertisau to Gaisalm (4,7 km)
To find the trailhead in Pertisau, you follow the Pertisaus Promenade north. At Hotel Christina, you turn right and walk towards the Pertisaus Strandbad Beach Area. Here, the asphalt road changes into an easily accessible gravel road along the lake, just north of the Pertisau beach.
On the last part of the gravel path, there is a bit of an uphill walk. On top, there’s a bench from where you can enjoy the first beautiful view of Achensee. Not much further, the gravel path turns into a more rugged trail. From here, it is an alternating climb and descent. You walk on sometimes narrow paths along the mountainside following the lake. At some of the slippery and narrow parts, there are steel cables to hold yourself onto. Along the way, you pass some stairs and a little shelter under a small waterfall.
The last part of the hike to Gaisalm is a forest path between the trees. Right before you reach the mountain hut, you also have to cross a dried-up river bed.
Gaisalm to Achenkirch along Mariensteig (3,9 km)
At Gaisalm, you can enjoy a refreshing drink, have a meal, and admire the views from the boat house. From here, you can either continue your hike to Achenkirch. Alternatively, you can take the boat or hike back to Pertisau.
Right after Gaisalm, you have to climb a steep staircase to Mariensteig but with a good railing to hold yourself on.
We only hiked from Pertisau to Gaisalm, climbed the stairs, admired the views from the viewpoint right behind the stairs, and then returned on foot along the same path to Pertisau. So we did not complete the last part between Gaisalm and Achenkirch.
However, we have heard that this part is a bit more challenging with rougher terrain, steeper drop-offs, and more exposed parts.
When you arrive in Achenkirch, you can take the boat back to Pertisau. You can of course also hike all the way back and make it an out & back trail.
When to hike
Season
Gaisalm is only open during the summer months. Therefore, the best time to hike the Gaisalmsteig is from May to September, depending on the snow conditions.
During the winter, the trail is covered in snow. This makes it too dangerous to hike as the trail becomes slippery and avalanches may occur.
Time of the day
Gaisalmsteig is one of the most famous hikes in the Achensee area. Therefore, if you want to avoid the crowds on the path, start as early as possible in the morning. Just take the boat’s timetable into account if you plan to take it.
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How to get there
The best way to reach Achensee is by car. You can start your hike in both Pertisau and Achenkirch. In both villages, you find several parking lots where you can park your car.
Pertisau Parking:
Achenkrich Parking:
Practical
€2 per hour, €8 for one day
Overnight stays are not allowed.
Where to stay
Camping
At Achensee, you can stay at Alpencaravanpark Achensee. There’s no campsite in Pertisau, but there are several other campsites around Achensee: Karwendel Camping, See Camping Wimmer, and Achensee Camping Schwarzenau.
You can also always stay at one of the farms of Schau aufs Land, where you can stay for free in exchange for buying something from the farm shops.
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Hotels
There are a total of 5 villages located on Achensee. In Pertisau and Achenkirch itself, you will find many nice accommodations to stay such as hotels, resorts, chalets, and apartments. But you will also find plenty of nice accommodations in the three other villages, Buchau, Häusern and Maurach.
Hotels
Discover the best places to stay near Achensee and enjoy a comfortable trip.
Tips & Safety
Some parts of the Gaisalmsteig trail are quite narrow and along a deep drop-off, making the hike not always suitable for people with a fear of heights.
Important hiking tips!
Other hikes in the area
Another hike in the Achensee area is the hike to the top of Bärenkopf. For this hike, you can also start hiking in Pertisau or you can take the cable car here. From the top of the Bärenkopf mountain, you have a beautiful view of Achensee. This hike is still on our to-do list. Have you done this hike? Then let us know if it was worth it!
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Win-Win for everyone
Did you know that, if you buy or book something through our links, we receive a small commission?
However, you still pay the same and therefore have no extra costs! So a win-win for everyone. This way, we can continue to add even more travel inspiration and tips to this blog for your next adventure. Thanks a lot!
