Schärtenalm from Hintersee

Schärtenalm from Hintersee is a 7.1 km out-and-back to a rustic mountain hut above the lake. The climb follows the lower approach toward Blaueishütte and turns around at the alm, before the trail becomes a steeper alpine ascent. Expect about 580 m of climbing over 3.5 km, then the same way down; allow roughly 3 to 3.5 hours including a stop. Pick this if you want a proper uphill walk with a hut terrace at the end without taking on the longer hut route.

Start at the southwest end of Parkplatz Seeklause. The marked route begins on a broad forest track; after about 100 m it turns left onto Blaueis-Forststraße. After two bends, take Blaueisweg left past a striking red rock wall. The path climbs at a fairly even grade through forest above Hintersee. Near 1,250 m, the Pfeiffemacherbrücke approach joins and the climb gets noticeably steeper, with tight switchbacks to the clearing below Schärtenalm.

Schärtenalm sits at about 1,360 m, on a clearing with views back over Hintersee toward Reiter Alm and Ramsauer Tal. The hut serves simple snack plates, drinks and homemade cakes; visitors especially praise its Kaiserschmarrn, a sweet shredded pancake. Its traditional Kaser has changed little over centuries. From the terrace, turn back toward the lake and valley for the view that makes this a satisfying turnaround.

For this hike, turn around at Schärtenalm. The path beyond first crosses toward Blaueisbankl and a bridge beside a rock face, then steepens into an alpine trail after the material-cableway station, climbing below Steinberg and Schärtenspitze toward Blaueishütte. That continuation is a different, longer outing; the 7.1 km here includes only the walk to the alm and back.