Schnalstal/Senales valley

A circular walk to some of Tirol's highest farmsteads

At a glance: this not-too-strenuous day tour takes you to the high mountain farmsteads of the Schnalstal valley. The living quarters and the farm buildings are all of wood, weathered by wind and snow. Staying on the sunny south-facing slopes, the path passes many splendid farmsteads and leads around the Schnalser Stausee reservoir. A good place to stop: the Finailhof (1950 m), Tirol’s highest wheat-producing farm.

Best time: summer and autumn, the best months are July to September.

Rewards: the charm of the old farmsteads, the view of the lake, the larch forests.

Effort: after a short but steep ascent this is an easy circular walk with a difference in altitude of 300 m, suitable for all; walking time: 3 hours.

Starting point: Vernagt (1710 m) on the reservoir of the same name, behind the village of Unser Frau in Schnals.

Route: From 1 Vernagt (parking area) into the Tisental valley (path no. 8) to the farmstead Tisenhof, on to Rafein and then to the 2 farmstead Finailhof, high above the lake. The path continues along the south facing slopes to Marchegg, crosses the river Schnals and main road, and returns on the other side of the valley along the shore of the lake, across the grassy dam back to Vernagt.