From Lech Valley up to the lofty heights of the Lech Valley Alps and the Ansbacher Hut
The second stage on the E5 is also Day 1 of crossing the Lech Valley Alps. This rugged and impressive mountain ridge is traversed via a wonderful alternative to the main route over the Memminger Hut. Why? First, the route via the Ansbacher Hut is somewhat easier in terms of difficulty and follows red (moderately difficult) mountain trails throughout. Second, the route via the Ansbacher Hut is much less crowded. And third, this route is simply beautiful in terms of scenery.
To ensure there is enough time to enjoy the scenery, the first, somewhat monotonous part of the stage – the valley hike to Madau – is covered by a shuttle. Shortly after getting off, the path to the Ansbacher Hut branches off from the main E5 route, and initially, you walk on a small paved road, then on a gravel road, up to the Hintere Alperschonalpe (place to stop, rest, and eat). Just before reaching the alpine pasture, which is on the other side of the stream, the marked trail to the Ansbacher Hut branches off. The valley slowly opens up and turns into a secluded alpine high valley. Especially in the upper part of the ascent, which steadily but not too steeply leads up to the plateau, there is a special view of the surrounding mountains. From Flarschjoch (pass), the highest point of the ascent, it is only a short descent down to the Ansbacher Hut, where a magnificent view opens up of the Arlberg and the 3,168-meter-high Hoher Riffler opposite the hut.
Description
Since the route into the Madau Valley to Madau is lengthy, the day begins with a shuttle (Feuerstein Taxi) coming from Holzgau and stopping in Bach on the way to Madau (reservation required one day in advance – and be sure to inform the driver that you want to go to the Ansbacher Hut or the Alperschonalpe!). Alternatively, Madau can also be reached from Bach in a good two-hour hike, partly on an asphalt road and partly on a hiking trail.
The signposted taxi stand in the Madau Valley is located in front of the bridge, just before the turnoff to the hamlet of Madau and the “Hermine” alpine inn. Continue along the road, cross the bridge, and after a short climb, turn right onto the paved road to Alperschonalpe (signpost: “Ansbacher Hütte”). You now walk for quite some time along the road, gaining only a little elevation. Relief comes at the end of the tarred road. You then follow the gravel path until shortly before the Upper Alperschonalpe. At the “Ansbacher Hütte” signpost, turn left and go uphill along a path that is quite steep in sections, into the valley and then down to the Alperschonbach, over which a bridge leads. The onward path is hard to miss, a good trail that steadily gains elevation and passes the Lärchwald Hut (private), leading up to a plateau. There you meet the Lechtaler Höhenweg (Lech Valley High-Altitude Trail) and signposts. At the next forks in the path, continue following the signs to the Ansbacher Hut. The ascent to Flarschjoch drags on a bit and becomes really steep in the last few meters. The descent on the other side is easy, and soon you will have reached the Ansbacher Hut.
