LAKESIDE AT WOLAYERSEE HUTTE

VIA ALPINA DAY 14  – SUNDAY 5 JULY 2026
OBERE BISCHOFALM – WOLLAYERSEE HUTTE

DISTANCE HIKED:  22.2 km
ELEVATION GAIN:  1,175 m

TOTAL DISTANCE HIKED: 349.4 km
TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN: 18,935m

The birds started to sing at 4.13am. But the cows, the cows –  they don’t sleep. And if you’re nearby,  neither do you. Neither of us had a good nights sleep. The cowbells just didn’t let up, all night long. It felt like torture.  The trouble maker cow kept coming back and didn’t let up till we decided to move. We relocated our campsite near a farm house behind a fence. There wasn’t anyone to ask.

We decided to follow an alternate VA trail down to the valley in order to go to the store and resupply.   It was very steep and slippery at the beginning.  Once we got to leaf litter underfoot it was a bit better. Slowly we descended down to a farm (Untere Biscofalm) passing a farmer milking cows. 

Once we passed the farm we followed a dirt road along a full flowing river  listening to the sound of rushing water and birds chirping. No cows in sight.  Quite a delightful walk in the cool of the morning.

We were passed  by a couple of cyclists going in the opposite direction. Otherwise we’d seem nobody till we arrived in a pretty village of  Wüermlack. Then a pleasant walk into the town of Mauthen to get some groceries fot the next stage. We were pleased to find the local Spar supermarket was open on Sunday.

Groceries and lunch done we though about walking back to rejoin the trail at Gastoff Plöckenhause, about 11km away.   It was warm and a roadwalk didn’t appeal so we ended up getting a bus back to the pass. And we are so pleased we did. The road back was steep and winding. It would have been a tough walk back to rejoin the trail. The best 4.50 Euro we’ve ever spent.  Back on trail, with full bellies we headed uphill. Amazing how a short time in town softens you. After last night  I really wanted or perhaps needed another night in a clean hotel room. We’ve learnt our lesson. The best real estate belongs to the cows.

It didn’t take long before the legs remembered what to do. We made it to  Almgastoff Valentilalm, a nice looking mountain hut. We stopped for cold drink. I did wish we were staying there,  the food looked good and the staff were very nice and friendly. It was too early to stop so we moved on for a 6 kilometre section to Kurt Schutze summit, gaining a 1,000m in elevation. 

It was mentally tough to keep going, especially when we were in full sun. As we rose  above the tree canopy, the wildflowers were a riot, filling every crevice.  The clouds rolled in which made the climb a bit easier.  We eventually made the summit and didn’t linger as a cool wind was blowing.  We dropped down towards  Wolayersee Lake. It looked amazing, green and clear.   We arrived at the hut  overlooking the lake and managed to get the last two beds in a dorm of 12. The hut is big and full. Not sure what to make of it. What a change from last night.

I’m finishing writing this while waiting for dinner. I’m so tired I really just want to go to bed.    Dinner was served right on 6.30, a fabulous to have soup, salad, stew with rice and a fabulous poppy seed cake was an extra treat. Amazing staff and so efficient at serving a large, hungry group of hikers. Hunger satisfied we went to bed absolutely smashed. Week 2 done, 10 weeks to go.