Innerfragant: Hiking in the Großfragant High Valley

In Innerfragant, mountain tours, hikes and the Fragant landscape take centre stage. The Großfragant High Valley, several trails to Innerfragant and the connection to the Mölltal Glacier give travellers different points of reference for planning. When comparing tours, you can use the routes described, the time of year and the destinations mentioned as a guide.

Alpine meadows and seasonal tours

The Fraganter Schutzhaus is located at 1,770 m in the Großfragant High Valley. The gentle alpine meadows there are known for their abundance of flowers. In summer, the mountain refuge serves as a starting point for mountain tours and hikes; in winter, for ski tours and snowshoe hikes. Which of these activities is your priority makes the season an important factor in your planning.

The history of the building is also precisely dated: the Fraganter Schutzhaus opened on 31 July 1927, after an old administrative building was converted into a mountain refuge. The opening date and the building’s conversion tell the story of its origins and add to its present-day role as a starting point for seasonal activities.

Hiking trails and historical connections

The Rollbahnweg passes through the alpine area of Großfragant and then descends to Innerfragant. Stops 1 to 10 of the Großfragant “drunter&drüber” themed trail are along the Rollbahnweg. It is also the fifth stage of the Alpe-Adria-Trail. Thus, the route includes both a themed trail and a section of a long-distance hiking trail.

One historical landmark is the 4,400 m long Rollbahn, built in 1906/07 to transport ore. Route 9 is described as taking a different course: it leads via Patschgalm (Kleinfragant) back down the valley to Innerfragant. These specific waypoints can help you compare them: the Rollbahnweg is described as passing through the alpine area of Großfragant, while Route 9 goes via Patschgalm.

On the way to Innerfragant, the Fragantbach is crossed twice. A waterfall on the stream can be seen over the final 200 m. The trail to the Fraganter Schutzhaus starts to the left of the waterfall at the Innerfraganterwirt. There are also crystal-clear mountain lakes in the summer area of the Mölltal Glacier.

Bus and glacier cable car

The “Innerfragant Ort” bus stop is right on the Innerfraganter Landesstraße L20a. During the summer months, bus route 103 runs twice daily to the valley station of the Mölltal Glacier cable car in Innerfragant and back. Check the current summer timetable before travelling, as the service is seasonal.

The Gletscherexpress reaches the middle station of the Mölltal Glacier at 2,200 m in eight minutes. From there, a gondola takes you to the mountain station at 2,800 m. The two stations are therefore 600 metres apart in altitude. This sequence distinguishes the Gletscherexpress ride to the middle station from the subsequent gondola ride to the mountain station; the stated elevations help you understand the two sections.

Discover more destinations: Schüttbach, Lainach, Winkl.

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