Umbaltal - Clarahütte

Dating back to 1872, the Clarahütte in the Virgental Valley in East Tirol is one of the oldest huts of the Austrian Alpine Club in the Venediger Massif. It is also one of only few huts in Tirol to graze sheep on the surrounding pastures in the summer months. This 15-kilometre-long hike leads along the Isel river into the beautiful Umbaltal Valley with its thundering waterfall. The Clarahütte is also a highlight in its own right. The hut was renovated in recent years using an environmentally friendly design to help the building blend into its alpine surroundings.
The hike begins at the car park in Ströden. Rated easy to intermediate, it first takes walkers over the Mauerbach river, then turns left at the first large National Park information sign and heads along an easy trail to the Islitzer Alm. Behind the Islitzer Alm, cross over the Ise river. It is here that the water-themed learning trail ("Wasserschaupfad Umbalfälle") heads along the left-hand side of the river. The path winds its way up next to the waterfall before leaving the treeline and entering high alpine terrain. Pass another waterfall and continue to the Ochsnerhütte (1,933 metres). It is here that the trail becomes narrower and less steep. From here it is about 40 minutes to the Clarahütte. At the fork in the path to the Neue Reichenbergerhütte, make sure you stay on the trail for the Clarahütte.