Hiking in the Gadental

A road leads from the village of Sonntag into a side valley of the Großes Walsertal to Buchboden. From there, it is easy to set off into the mountains.

You soon leave everyday life behind you: a hiking trail leads past stone deposits that tell of earlier rockfalls and on to a special place - Bad Rothenbrunnen. Nestled between the mountains is a historic inn with a cozy garden and chapel. Legend has it that a shepherd was healed here by the reddish-colored water of the Matona stream after an apparition of the Virgin Mary. Since then, this former spa house has been considered a special place. Time stands still in the inn's listed parlor with its tiled stove at its heart - a place to linger.

But your hike continues, accompanied by the babbling brook, through refreshing forests and across alpine meadows. The bells of grazing animals ring in the distance, almost like music. You sit down on a bench for a moment, take a deep breath, close your eyes and enjoy the peace and quiet. The nature here is overwhelming: green meadows, clear air and rocky mountains.

Soon the path leads you closer to the ringing of bells - the Gadenalpe comes into view. Three huts, run by a young couple, invite you to take a break. Here you can enjoy fresh, homemade drinks or take a piece of cheese from their own production with you. The view sweeps over to the distant waterfalls and you can feel the tranquillity of this place, the hospitality of the alpine people and the connection to nature.

Strengthened, you make your way back towards Bad Rothenbrunnen. A stop in the cozy guest garden or the comfortable restaurant is almost a must. Enjoy regional delicacies and treat yourself to a piece of homemade cake at the end. Then take a leisurely stroll back to Buchboden.

An unforgettable hike in the Großes Walsertal is coming to an end, but the impressions will stay with you for a long time.