Brandenberger Alps

Occasionally they also appear under the name Rofan Mountains, which is only partially correct, because this designation strictly speaking only applies to the western part between Brandenberger Ache and Lake Achensee.

In addition to the Bavarian Prealps, the Tyrolean mountain group also borders the Kaiser Mountains, the Kitzbühel Alps, the Tux Alps and the Karwendel Mountains.

The highest elevation in the midst of this summit-rich landscape is the peak of the Hochiss at 2,299 meters. Its northern side is crisscrossed by difficult climbing routes, but the ascent via the normal route is much easier on the southern side. From the Erfurter Hut (1,834 meters) above Maurach, head north to below the summit and then in a hairpin turn from the west side up to the peak.

The European long-distance hiking trail E4 also passes by the hut. Likewise, the particularly diverse Tyrolean Eagle Trail, which runs from east to west through all of Tyrol and covers 413 kilometers of hiking. In 33 daily stages, a total of 31,000 meters in altitude are covered. However, a head for heights, surefootedness, and experience in alpine hiking are prerequisites for many stages. Where does the name come from? Quite simply - the course of the trail, when viewed from a bird's eye view, resembles the silhouette of an eagle.

Also easily accessible from the Erfurter Hut is the Rofanspitze (2,259 meters). In a northeasterly direction, it goes up the Grubascharte, then over a steep meadow landscape to the summit cross of the Rofanspitze. Walking time: about 2 hours.

Another nearby mountain, the Sagzahn (2,228 meters), rises like a gigantic sawtooth from the surroundings and captivates hikers and alpine climbers. The giant can be easily climbed from the starting point of the Bayreuther Hut, located above Münster. Via the normal route, it goes from the hut to the Vorderes Sonnwendjoch, where, in good weather, you can enjoy a magnificent view over the Unterinntal, the Kitzbühel Alps, and the Zillertal Alps. Then continue in a northerly direction over the grass-covered ridge to the summit. Walking time: about 2 hours.

You will need two or more days for the "Great Rofan Circuit". With the Rofan cable car, you first go to the Erfurter Hut. The next stops would then be the Dalfázer Wände, the Hochiss, the Spieljoch, the Rofanspitze, the Sagzahn, the Vordere Sonnwendjoch, and the Haidachstellwand - until you return to the Erfurter Hut. The paths are relatively easy to walk and well marked, only in the summit areas there are often simple, short climbing sections (partly secured with wire ropes).

You can find cool relaxation around the waters of the Brandenberger Alps. The aforementioned Brandenberger Ache, a tributary of the Inn, is not only considered a natural monument, but also an important habitat for numerous animal and plant species. Not only water ouzels, wallcreepers, and grey wagtails frolic on the partially floodplain-like overgrown banks - a wide variety of butterfly species have also been recorded here. During a kayak trip, you may encounter some of the aquatic residents - brown trout, bullhead, grayling, and eels have their native homes here.