Winter hike to Lake Obernberg

The rear Obernberg Valley is perfectly suited for a comfortable winter hike, even with sledging fun on the way back.

Map See map
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At the head of the Oberberg valley the Waldruh Tavern is located.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Here the parking space is located, which is our starting point today.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Map of winter hikes in Obernberg.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Just at the beginning of our walk we surprise a squirrel looking for food.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Cross by the wayside.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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A few wooden huts at the Unterreinsalm mountain pasture.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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From here the ascent starts.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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We have almost reached our destination.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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An information panel shows detailed information about the area and Lake Obernberg.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Snow, frost, light and shade affect these blades of grass.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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The Lake Obernberg with the little chapel “Maria am See” and the Kleiner Tribulaun behind.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Around the lake.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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On the west side the circular path is only a narrow trail.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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View on the frozen, snow-covered lake.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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View towards the Brennero border ridge.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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We also pass the church “Unsere Liebe Frau am See”.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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The altar in the inside of the chapel.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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The ceiling fresco shows the coronation of Mary.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Across the bridge we come back to the forest road.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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A last view on the lake before we start our descent.
Foto: AT, © Peer

The area around Mt. Obernberger Tribulaun (2,780 m a.s.l.) is considered to be an area with guaranteed snow, just right for a little winter hike. Our starting point is the parking space at the head of the valley (chargeable) at the Waldruh Tavern. The path starts flat, crosses a forest and proceeds to an open meadow with a few wooden huts. Here the ascent for about 1 km starts, up to the Lake Obernberg. The lake is divided into two halves, right in the middle the chapel "Maria am See" is located on a hill. A really magic scenery, with the Kleiner Tribulaun in the background and the surrounding winter landscape.

We decide to round the lake. After a visit to the chapel we start our way back to our starting point where we stop off at the Waldruh Tavern to finish this gorgeous winter day in a comfortable way. The section from the wooden huts up to the lake (approx. 1 km) is also a sledge run in winter. So it’s worth to take a sledge along and to pay attention to oncoming sledges while the ascent!

Author: AT

If you want to do this winter hike, please take information about the weather and the current conditions of the trail on site!

Starting point: Obernberg, head of the valley (Waldruh Tavern)
Destination: Lake Obernberg
Signposts: "Winterwanderweg", sledge run, Lake Obernberg
Distance: about 6.5 km (in total)
Walking time: about 2 hours
Altitude difference: approx. 190 m
Altitude level: between 1,440 and 1,610 m a.s.l.
Experienced in: January 2016