KAT Walk Alpine stage 1: Tradition connects - Along farmsteads back to the origins

The variety-packed route ascends slightly initially through forests and pastures, passing splendid farmsteads in the Penningberg. After a short, flat route to Innerpenningberg, the second ascent begins to the traditional Haag Alm (not open for business – trough with cooled drinks available for you to serve yourself). With no real ascent worthy of mention you come to the Höhenbrandalm, where the descent via a forest trail to the stage destination of Kelchsau begins. In Kelchsau there are also a few really lovely wood-construction buildings and farms.

From Hopfgarten tourist information centre in the centre of village and at Intersport Oberhauser, bear left heading down to the railway underpass. Go under the railway and continue straight across the bridge. There is now a short section to the right, along the road and at the yellow signpost Penningdörfl, 1 h proceed to the left for over a field.

The path takes you into the forest. At the Blaickenhof (670m) continue to the right on a forest path, until you cross the bridge over a stream in Schönbachtal (short downward section). Now bear left for around 100 metres along the road, always following the signposts for Penningdörfl on a cart path through Schönbachtal.

As soon as you come to the first meadows, the path proceeds through them, heading right up to the old heritage farms in the hamlet of Hinterlitzl (765m). Continue on a forest path, climbing slightly for around 500 metres, which then more or less evens out at Penningdörfl (1 hour from Hopfgarten). In Penningdörfl there is also the authentic shop ‚Milchbuben‘, where homemade cheese and other natural farm produce are available for purchase.

Pass the old wooden buildings and follow the signposts for Markbachjoch, Feldalphorn, walking uphill for a short section on a forest path, before a steep path (Markbachjoch, Feldalphorn) to the hamlet of Schipfling (985 m) branches off just in front of a detached house.

As soon as you reach the access road (Mittermoosenweg), keep left on a road which goes downhill for around 800 metres to Innerpenningbergstraße.
Now take a right, heading into the valley on a little used road for around two kilometres, with the final section going slightly downhill to Innerpenningberg (921 m, approx. 1 ½ hours from Penningdörfl).

Cross a bridge here and follow the signposts to Haag Alm. A forest path proceeds in several twists and turns, continually climbing through forest and Alpine terrain up to the traditional Haag Alm, where there is a rustic trough with drinks (1,320 m, approx. 1 ½ hours from Innerpenningberg).

After this, there is still a short section uphill to get to the highest point of the tour (1,338 m).

The route now proceeds slightly downhill again to Höhenbrandalm (1,299 m). Hike via several twists and turns on the forest path through the little ski area – the final section is on asphalt – down to Kelchsau (around 1 ½ hours from Haag Alm).