Rettenschöss: Hiking Between Farms and Alpine Pastures

Get to know Rettenschöss through its hiking trails, scattered farms and traditional alpine pastures. Many varied hiking trails lead directly out of the village. Winter hikes, snowshoe hikes and cycling tours are also among the activities available in Rettenschöss. The landscape ranges from scattered farms to traditional alpine pastures at different elevations.

Hiking Trails Between Village and Alpine Pasture

The scattered farms and traditional alpine pastures extend from 600 to 1,450 metres above sea level. When choosing a hike, you can use the named destinations and the corresponding route as a guide: one trail leads to the chapel in the village centre, while others go to an alpine pasture or continue along a forest road.

The Rettenschöss Village Walk is 5.60 km long, takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, and has an elevation gain of 116 metres. It is family-friendly. The starting point is the public car park in the village centre; from there, the trail leads to St. Anthony’s Chapel beside the municipal office and school. This route therefore combines its stated distance and duration with a specific destination in the village centre.

The hike to Wildbichlalm starts at the paid Ritzgraben car park in Rettenschöss and leads through a beech forest to the alpine pasture. From Wildbichlalm, you can continue the hike to Karspitze in about 45 minutes. Unlike the Village Walk, this route centres on the beech forest trail, the alpine pasture destination and the option to continue to Karspitze.

Another option is the Rettenschöss–Wandberg route. It starts in Rettenschöss and continues along a forest road, with panoramic views of the Kaiser Mountains and the Hohe Tauern. The routes described therefore differ in their destinations and views: the village chapel, an alpine pasture with the option to continue to Karspitze, or the route towards Wandberg. Check the conditions on your chosen route before setting out.

Winter and Cycling Tours

In winter, you can go winter hiking and snowshoeing in Rettenschöss. These two activities offer different ways to explore the surroundings on foot. Many cycling tours also start in Rettenschöss and lead to secluded spots that invite you to take a break. Cycling routes thus complement the hiking trails with another way to explore the area. When planning a cycling tour, you should also check the conditions on the route.

Chapels, Alpine Pastures and Regional Cuisine

A chapel dedicated to St. Anthony is located in the hamlet of Harland. The Rettenschöss Village Walk leads to St. Anthony’s Chapel beside the municipal office and school.

The named alpine pasture destinations also have culinary attractions. Burgeralm’s hay-milk cheese is one of the specialities you can sample; check availability before your visit. Wildbichlalm serves regional cuisine. Before stopping for a meal, check whether it is available. Wildbichlalm also offers a view of the Zahmer Kaiser. Wildbichler Alm is a Tyrolean mountain hut at an elevation of 1,050 metres in Rettenschöss; check its seasonal opening arrangements before visiting.

Getting There

From Walchsee, you can reach the centre of Rettenschöss by car by following the Schwemm river. For the local trails, note the respective starting points: the Village Walk starts at the public car park in the village centre, while the hike to Wildbichlalm starts at the paid Ritzgraben car park.

Discover more destinations: Kirchbichl, Niederndorf, Brandenberg, Brixlegg, Ellmau, Hinterthiersee, Auffach, Breitenbach Am Inn

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