Stufenstein – a garden in rocky wilderness

The hike to Alp Stufenstein leads into a lonely world far from any hustle and bustle. The route mostly runs off officially marked trails and is only suitable for sure-footed mountain hikers.

On the mountain hiking trail from Stechelberg to Trachsellauenen, a wooden sign at Staldenbach shows the turn-off to the Rottal valley. The route is considered a demanding alpine hiking trail, but the lower section poses no particular difficulties for experienced mountain hikers. The landscape scenery is magnificent: above the Schmadribach, glacier-crowned rock peaks of Grosshorn, Breithorn, and Tschingelhorn arch. The narrow path leads steeply upwards to Altläger. On trail traces, the path goes via the Schafbach to the huts of Alp Stufenstein. Their slopes resemble flower gardens in summer: flowers glow in all colors and shapes and contrast magically with the peaks on the horizon. Managing the steep terrain requires significant effort. This was rewarded in 2009 when the tenant couple received the cultural landscape prize of the Oberland-Ost region. From Schafbach, the trail goes along a very steep forest path to Sichellauenen and from there on the hiking path back to Stechelberg.