Schrofenpass - Schrofenpass

The Schrofenpass south of Oberstdorf

The Schrofenpass, together with the Stillach or Rappenalptal, provides a direct connection between the holiday centers Oberstdorf in the Allgäu and Lech-Zürs or St. Anton am Arlberg. At just 1687 m, the pass looks like an appealing, easy connection at first glance. This is not the case, however, as the old, rather wide mule track (laid out in 1795) was blown up during World War II.^[1]

background

The pass is located in the main ridge of the Allgäu High Alps about 16 km south of Oberstdorf as the crow flies.

In earlier times, the route over the pass was of greater economic importance than the mule track that was used with pack animals. According to the Oberstdorf local history museum, the first route over the pass was mentioned as early as 1440 (... "Path and footbridge over Biberalp and over the Lechlyten" ...)^[2]

In 1795, a comfortable, six-shoe (about 1.5 to 2 m) wide path was blasted through the rock face that represented the eye of the needle. The path was even secured with a 40 cm high stone wall. This path was blown up during World War II, so that today there is only a narrow mountain path.

With the "mechanization" of transport from the 19th century onwards, the pass lost its importance as a transit route across the Alps.

For more detailed information on the history of the pass, see page of the Oberstdorf local history museum to the Schrofenpass.

getting there

The next larger town north of the pass is Oberstdorf. Arrival see in there items

Pass crossing

In the street

Over the Schrofenpass leads no road. If you want to drive towards Arlberg from Obersdorf, you have to take longer detours.

On foot

DAV signposting with walking times at the top of the pass (readable in the image enlargement).

A mountain path leads over the pass, and to conquer it you should have a head for heights and, above all, surefooted. Appropriate mountain hiking equipment (sturdy hiking boots and telescopic sticks) should also be used (see also section securityThe very informative video below gives a first impression of parts of the difficult passage Web links.

If you want to cover the entire stage from Oberstdorf to Lechleiten or Warth in one day, you should be quite fit, as the walking time is very long. It is advisable to shorten the route from Oberstdorf by bus. The timetable for the Oberstdorf - Birgsau line is to be found here.

Alternatively, you can split the stage over two days. Accommodation options in the Stillachtal are z. B. the Berggasthof Einödsbach and the Hotel Birgsauer Hof.

• Walking time Birgsau - Lechleiten: 5 1/2 to 6 hours
• Total walking time Oberstdorf - Lechleiten - (Warth):?
• crossing Rappenseehütte - Schrofenpass - Mindelheimer Hut: 5 1/2 h

By bicycle

For many mountain bikers, the Schrofenpass is the first, still quite easy, challenge on their Transalp towards Lake Garda.

Aluminum bridge on the Schrofenpass

In the area of ​​the north ascent there are more than 150 meters of longer pushing or carrying passages for the bike (see also pictures below). A head for heights and surefootedness are also required here, as the mountain bike sometimes has to be shouldered. When hikers meet, it can get tight here. However, if one behaves with foresight or does not enter a bottleneck with oncoming traffic without being informed, there are usually minor problems with oncoming traffic. Such a bottleneck is, for example, the area around the well-known aluminum bridgewhich can be seen in many pictures on the net. In the steep section of the rock face, however, there are always places where you can easily pass each other.

The southern run, on the other hand, is largely rideable for well-trained MTB enthusiasts. Anyone who has more detailed information on wearing time and shouldering the bike are welcome to add them here. The very informative video below gives a first impression of parts of the difficult passage Web links.

From the point of view of mountain hiking in terms of the nature of the path, ankle-high mountain boots are required for the mountain path in order to be able to step safely.

Anyone who is on the road with the MTB should therefore at least absolutely "Bicycle mountaineering boots“With clipless pedal adapter. These bike trekking shoes have treaded soles and have a firmer hold in the ankle area than z. B pure cycling shoes, as they are pulled up a little further (otherwise see also section security).

The route to the Lower Biberalpe is a wonderful touring route for a day tour from Oberstdorf, if you bypass the main road to the Fellhornbahn.

Route sections:

• Oberstdorf (810 m) - Untere Biberalpe (1310 m): about 16 - 17 km on road or asphalt and gravel roads
• Lower Biberalpe (1310 m) - Schrofenpass (1687 m) - Lechleiten (1500 m): about 6 km mostly on mountain paths (some with longer pushing passages

security

Although the Schrofenpass is only 1687 m high, one moves in the area of ​​the pass height in high alpine terrain. The result can be correspondingly rapid changes in the weather. Do not attempt to cross the pass if there is a risk of thunderstorms!

The Mountain weather of the Austrian Alpine Club gives a good overview of the General weather situation in the Alpine region.

Go on

Anyone with a mountain bike on the Heckmair route or the Joe Route Heading south to Lake Garda, his journey continues after the Schrofenpass Warth through the upper Lechtal direction Lech to Freiburg hut away. The first of 6 stages of the Alpine crossing ends here.

See also

• Overview of the Alpine passes in the topic namespace.

literature

• Hiking, cycling and ski touring map "Allgäu Alps / Kleinwalsertal 1: 50000" from Kompass Verlag

Individual evidence

Web links

• Only for those with a head for heights: ascent of the rock face path in the north ascent Video on Youtube (2:35 min).
• Schrofenpass Crossing by mountain bike

47 ° 17 ′ N. 10 ° 12 ′ E

This is a useful article. There are still some places where information is missing. If you have something to add be brave and complete them.