Schwende – Alp Sigel – Widderalpsattel – Wasserauen

This walk past Alp Sigel and Widderalpsattel is a little long but it is in the heart of Alpstein, one of the most beautiful places in the Alps, so it is well worth every step and every height meter. The views a truly incredible and there is a rather exposed section on this hike. So if you don’t have a head for heights, you might like to choose the alternative route also described below.

Start in Schwende, where there is a bus stop, train station and parking. Make your way past Gasthof “Frohe Aussicht”, up to the small road and turn off the road again after a few meters towards Alp Sigel.

The path will be getting steeper all the time. See that wall of rocks above you? Yes, that’s were the path is leading. Once you reach the woods, the path gets a bit more shallow, until you leave the trees again. There is a cute wooden hut with some benches and then it’s upwards again. Another steep slope to walk up until you reach the rocks and now it’s up some steep steps. There are ropes along here to keep you safe. And then finally it’s only a few more steps until you step into a lovely meadow on the top.

There are lovely views of Alpstein and Hoher Kasten from up here, it’s just as well as you may feel like sitting down and having a rest up here after that steep uphill. Once you are ready to move on, make your way down to the huts at Alp Sigel. Walk through the beautiful huts until you reach the sign post at the end.

This is where you have a choice. If you do not have a head for heights, turn left here and make your way down to Kalthütte. Once you reach the hut, turn right and make your way up the valley. At a junction, chose the middle path, continuing up the valley to the right. Now the path leads upwards past Alphütte Widderalp to the Widderalpsattel. Here you get back onto the original route of this hike. This way will mean you have to do about 300 additional height meters, but it will be less scary.

If you are sure footed and have a head for heights, take the right turn and walk along the stunning mountain slope above Sämtisersee. The path is very gentle along here, giving you plenty of opportunity to enjoy the incredible views.

After a while the path turns right, moving the other side of the ridge so you get to enjoy even more views. It then turns slightly uphill towards Bogartenlücke, a quite impressive pass.

Once you get up to the path look right, you will see a path there that leads very steeply uphill in lots and lots of little turns. But don’t be scared, it is not as steep as it looks.

Once you’ve made it up the steep turns, the path becomes a bit more exposed. It turns right and gets rather narrow and tilted above a steep grassy slope, watch your steps here. Once you have reached the ridge, there is a rather steep slope on either side of the path. However, the ridge is wide enough to feel safe and very soon you are on the top of Schafberg.

Schafberg is a quiet peak but it feels like it’s right at the center of this beautiful area with the Alpstein all around you! From the top, continue along the ridge. The path may feel exposed in places along here but is generally not too scary. At the end of the ridge the path leads down towards Widderalpsattel pass. The grassy slopes above the pass are great for a lunch break as you will again have lovely views up here.

At the pass there is a path leading around the valley towards Meglisalp, which you could take if you would like to extend the hike. However, for this walk make your way directly down to the huts in the valley below. At the huts the path leads right and then winds down a steeper, flower strewn slope.

Towards the end of the slope you will see Meglisalp on your left. If you have never been there, it’s worth turning left on the path at the bottom of the slope and paying a short visit to this village. Otherwise, turn right an continue on the path high above Seealpsee.

Follow the path above the lake, which leads all the way to the end of the valley. After a while you will pass a little emergency hut and then the path starts winding down until you reach Gross-Hütten, which translates to “big huts”, a selection of wooden huts. Here you can buy some fresh milk and cheese during the summer.

Continue past the huts and another set of huts called Klein-Hütten and then the path leads steeply down into Wasserauen. From Wasserauen the train will take you back to Schwende.