Route: Neustift
Area: Austria, Stubai Valley, Tyrol
Date of walk: 10th September 2023
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 5.0 miles
Ascent: 1,300 feet
Weather: Sunny, cloudless and very hot
We awoke to another day of sunshine and blue skies and decided it was time to explore the area around our base for this walking holiday, the village of Milders in the Stubai Valley. The walk started from our hotel, the Milderer Hof, which I can highly recommend. However as this is a circular route there are various other possible starting points, including Neustift. Milders and Neustift are both on a regular bus route and anyone looking to shorten the route could easily take advantage of this by catching a bus back at the half way point
We headed north up the valley in the direction of Forchach, following a narrow lane. Before long we reached the power station which, as power stations go, is small and unobtrusive. We crossed a footbridge over a small stream here and joined a path in the woods marked ‘Kartnall Forchach’. This marked the start of a steepish ascent along a narrow zigzag path, with occasional wonderful views over the Stubai Valley below
Eventually we reached a lane and turned right along it, enjoying more spectacular views across the valley to the peaks on the other side. After about fifteen minutes we arrived in the ancient settlement of Kartnall. Refreshments are available here, but we carried on along the montainside. The road petered out beyond Kartnall and we followed a gravel path which descended gently down into the village of Neustift. We wandered through the attractive streets to seek out the return path to Milders, which is to be found near the main road bridge at the end of the car park by the leisure centre. A delightful and very easy path beside the bank of the River Ruetz brought us back into Milders to complete a very enjoyable walk
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We walk out of our hotel, the Hotel Milderer Hof (which I can highly recommend) and head up the valley. This is a circular route and there are various other starting points for anyone staying elsewhere
Leaving Milders...
We turn right and walk by the power station at the top of Milders
After crossing a bridge over Oberbergbach we follow the sign for Kartnall
The start of a narrow zig zag path up through woodland, with wildflowers lining the way...
Looking back down over Milders
We follow the narrow path for some time, with zig zags taking the sting out of the steep gradient...
The end of the climb as we arrive at a traditional Tyrolean farm by the roadside
Looking along the valley to the Stubai Glacier which we'd visited yesterday
We follow this quiet lane for a while
Looking down to the Stubai Valley
The River Ruetz below
Further along the lane (this section lasted for about 20 minutes, during the course of which we only saw one car)
Neustift below
Kartnall, which was established in the 13th century following regular floods in the Stubai Valley. The farmers found some suitable land here and the lower and the upper “Kartnallhof” (farmyard) were built, where livestock and dairy farming provided a living
A small chapel on the outskirts of the hamlet
We walk through Kartnall, with the Stubai Valley below...
The road ends here and we follow a track towards Neustift below...
Wonderful views back along the valley to the Stubai Glacier at its head...
Neustift below as we pass by this bench
Another view back along the Stubai Valley
Neustift and its church below...
We arrive in Neustift and head towards the centre of the village
We walk along the main street to seek out the path back to Milders (anyone looking to shorten the route could take a bus back from here)
The start of an easy and very pleasant walk back to Milders, with the River Ruetz on our left
Looking up to Kartnall, which we'd passed through earlier
Looking along the River Ruetz
We leave the riverside and head towards Milders
We arrive back in Milders and from here it's a short stroll back to our hotel and the end of a wonderful walk
