Winter hike through the Schwarzwasser valley to the Schwarzwasser hut

Base station Ifen - Herzsee - Melköde - Schwarzwasser hut (operated in winter) - Melköde - Herzsee - Base station Ifen

Sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate clothing. Hiking poles recommended for steeper sections.

Most routes from Germany converge in Ulm and continue on the A7. At the Allgäu motorway junction via the section of the A980 to the Waltenhofen junction and on the four-lane B19 via Sonthofen and Oberstdorf into the Kleinwalsertal. From Austria (Vorarlberg) and Switzerland, the Kleinwalsertal is reached via the Bregenzerwald (Hittisau) – Riedberg pass – Fischen – Oberstdorf. Coming from Tyrol, the fastest way leads via the A7 to Kempten and further on the B19 towards Oberstdorf. No motorway vignette is required for the drive into the valley.

Starting point of the route: Walserbus Line 5 - Ifen bus stop 

>>> Walserbus timetable

Paid parking spaces at the Ifen parking lot

The Schwarzwasser valley is an important refuge area for endangered animal species such as the capercaillie, black grouse, and hazel grouse, as well as bird species such as the sparrowhawk, rock ptarmigan, golden eagle, and eagle owl. 

The Schwarzwasser hut is operated in winter; a stop at the Schwarzwasser hut for a delicious Kaiserschmarrn is recommended.