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WALK 3

A ridge walk between Sonnenkopf and Falken Alpe

Start	Schöllang, north of Oberstdorf
Distance	10.7km (6½ miles)
Total ascent	1188m (3898ft)
Total descent	1188m (3898ft)
Grade	2
Time	5–6hr
Maps	Kompass-Wanderkarte No 3: Allgäuer Alpen – Kleinwalsertal
Refreshments	Gais Alpe
Transport	Bus 45 from Oberstdorf (direction Sonthofen)
Parking	Car park on the bypass to Altstädten

As this walk involves a big ascent a good standard of fitness is required, but otherwise there are no difficulties worth mentioning. Schöllang is a pleasant village, where just about every house seems to have its balcony adorned with bright red or pink geraniums. A Pension or Gasthaus here might be an interesting alternative to Oberstdorf. The tourist office is located at Schelchwangweg 1, tel (08322) 7000.

Instead of driving into Schöllang (where parking is very limited), follow the bypass in the direction of Altstädten and you will come to a parking bay at the side of the road. From the bus stop in town, near the church, go back (south) along Rubihornstr. and turn left into Sonnenkopfweg. At a fork go right under the bypass road, then left to the start. The path to the Eybachtobelweg and Sonnenkopf is clearly signposted, so it is just a matter of following the Eybach stream uphill until you come to a bridge.

The easiest way to Entschen Alpe is to follow the road left over the bridge, but the more attractive route is to follow the Tobelweg (gorge walk) along the stream. If the Tobelweg is chosen you also go left over the bridge, but after a few metres turn right, off the paved road. Now follow the signpost ‘Eybachtobelweg – Sonnenköpfe’. The path zigzags its way up through the woods and eventually links up with the alm access road, which is followed to the right. (After heavy rain it is advisable to choose the easier alternative, as the steep and narrow Tobelweg can get very slippery, and the track may be washed away in places.)

Before reaching Entschen Alpe hut, however, our path swings left (signposted), away from the road, and winds its way up through fields and then into the woods. At one point it meets a dirt road – a sign ‘Fußweg’ points back downhill here. Walk uphill a few metres more and come to a track that curves left uphill and away from the dirt road. It is signposted ‘Fußweg’ but is easy to miss. After passing a small clearing with views to the north it is not far to the summit cross of the Sonnenkopf (1712m), from where there are magnificent views down into the Retterschwang Valley and across to the Daumen massif.

Wildflowers adorn the Sonnenkopf ridge

Continuing along the ridge, you descend into a trough and then climb very steeply up to the summit of the Heidelbeerkopf (1767m). The same sweaty procedure has to be repeated en route to the Schnippenkopf (1833m), but the dramatic alpine scenery to the left of the track is compensation enough. This peak offers the best views on the entire walk, and the outlook is only hindered by the imposing bulk of the Entschenkopf to the south. As the summit plateau is broad and grassy it would make a good picnic spot.

Compared to the preceding climb, the descent to Falken Alpe is reasonably gradual at first, although the last descent to the hut is steep. A little further down, a trail branches left off the main track to the Entschenkopf, but this route continues downhill through woods to Rubi Hut. Here it goes right (not left to Richterberg Alpe) and down to Gais Alpe. The restaurant here is quite popular, as it also lies on the route to the Nebelhorn and Rubihorn.

To get back to Schöllang via Im Stitzel go down from the restaurant terrace and then around the building. Now follow a track to the right and uphill along a stream (signposted Schöllang – Stitzel). Do not follow the gravel road curving down from Gais Alpe. You can also arrange a taxi from the restaurant.

An alternative if you do not need to get back to Schöllang is to follow the Gaisalptobelweg to Reichenbach. Go down the road from the restaurant, then right at a junction to reach the signposted track that leaves the road on your right. In Reichenbach take the bus back to Oberstdorf.