The Grubigstein is essentially the three-peaked eastern shoulder of the impressive Gartnerwand and therefore, in alpine terms, quite insignificant by itself, if not for its impressive presence from the valley levels. Those who take the rather long path from Lermoos are rewarded with a magnificent, comprehensive panorama offered from the various summit points. In particular, the nearby Wetterstein mountains and the opposite Mieming chain repeatedly attract the gaze. With good visibility, the view extends over the Fern Pass to the glaciers of the main Alpine ridge. This wonderful distraction is also quite helpful because the ski area on Grubigstein itself is not everywhere visually appealing: numerous lifts, lonely snow cannons, and winter guest accommodations seem somewhat out of place in summer months but ultimately hardly matter.
From Lermoos, rather quiet forest paths lead to the Wolfratshauser Hut and further to the Grubig Hut. By then, many cable car excursionists join, who take the rather short remaining path from the Grubigstein lift top station to the Grubigstein but do not always manage it: steep terrain requires a minimum of surefootedness, although the difficulties remain quite moderate. Only the forelaid, lower summit cross is reached with some effort, as fine scree makes the short connecting trail a slippery path requiring caution. Back at the Grubig Hut, the further descent leads over wide, gentle forest roads past the Grubigalm back to Lermoos.
Author’s recommendation
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Safety information
The trails and paths of the route are in good condition. Surefootedness and, above the Wolfratshauser Hut, also some freedom from vertigo are required.Roadbook
Leave the Lermoos train station and follow Danielstraße to the left. This leads down into the village after a right turn and reaches the federal road. Cross it and continue on the other side towards the valley station of the Grubigsteinbahn cable car. At the first opportunity, turn right and shortly afterwards, before the left curve, turn into a driveway on the right, at the end of which a public footpath in the form of a trail continues. This leads up to a small hill, where it is now well signposted to the left, uphill. The trail reaches the edge of the forest, continues to rise quite evenly, and finally joins a forest road. Following this road for just a few meters to the right, a trail almost immediately branches off to the left, continuing the previous direction. For long stretches, parallel and partially in sight of a mountain bike trail, another forest road is crossed. The terrain becomes a bit rockier, but the trail remains without special difficulties. Somewhat surprisingly, the terrain opens up and briefly leaves the forest along a long clearing. After a short time, a trail leads right back into the forest, which, after wide bends below the now visible Wolfratshauser Hut, finally leads into open terrain and shortly thereafter reaches the scenic hut terrace.
Directly at the Wolfratshauser Hut, another trail begins, ascending further over a ridge. Trails branch off to the right and left, and the path, marked as difficult, becomes somewhat steeper. There follow some secured sections with ropes and slightly exposed spots, which present no difficulties for experienced mountain hikers. As soon as the trail reaches calmer terrain in the dwarf pine belt again, it continues holding right through a gully-like gorge uphill. Passing under the Grubigstein lift, the Grubig Hut is finally reached in a wide right curve, located right next to the top station of the lift. Accordingly, the last stretch is noticeably busier: behind the mountain guesthouse, a trail leads upwards in a curve and then leisurely crosses south towards the avalanche barriers. At their edge, the trail climbs steeply for a short moment, then winds through the barriers. Shortly afterwards, the view opens to the upper summit cross, which is easily reached again over gentle terrain. Those who want to go a little further can continue to the slightly higher actual summit point and enjoy the extraordinary view beyond both summit crosses.
The descent initially follows the same path back to the Grubig Hut, with a detour to the signposted lower summit cross recommended for sure-footed hikers. From the Grubig Hut, follow the wide forest road downhill, which crosses various ski slopes with moderate gradient and many curves and reaches the Grubigalm located by a reservoir lake. Shortly afterwards, ignore the forest road branching off to the left and continue descending with switchbacks through a mostly dense path to the transfer node of four lifts, passing by this. Shortly afterwards, the forest road merges into a transversal forest road; follow this to the right until the Grubigsteinbahn cable car comes into view. At the reservoir lake there, turn left as signposted and follow a trail downhill along the lift route, but before the nearby forest clearing turn right and descend over steep meadows to a forest road. Follow it to the nearby hairpin bend and there go downhill via another trail. With only a slight gradient, the path reaches the outskirts of Lermoos and turns into a street. At the first opportunity, turn left, and before the church turn left again into Hinterfeldweg. This leads to the valley station of a family lift, behind it turn right and follow a footpath towards the nearby houses. The public path leads through the yards and reaches the federal road on the other side of the houses. Follow it to the left and finally along the already known Danielstraße to the right uphill to the train station, where the route suggestion ends.
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
The route is excellently suited for arrival and departure by public transportation:
The Lermoos train station is on the railway line (Munich - ) Garmisch-Partenkirchen - Reutte in Tyrol and is served hourly on weekends. The route description begins directly at the station.
Directions
- From Munich, take the A 95 to Eschenlohe, then drive via the end of the motorway on B 2 and B 23 through Griesen and Ehrwald to Lermoos.
- From Innsbruck or Landeck, take the Inntal Autobahn to the Mötz or Imst junctions, respectively. Then take B 189 to Nasserreith and cross the Fern Pass via B 179. Leave the federal road before the Lermoos tunnel and drive through Biberwier to Lermoos.
- From Reutte in Tyrol, take B 179 towards Fern Pass. Leave the federal road before the Lermoos tunnel and drive into the village.
Parking
Only a few parking spaces are available at the Lermoos train station. Alternatively, a large number of parking spaces are available at the valley station of the Grubigsteinbahn cable car, just a few hundred meters away.Coordinates
Author’s map recommendations
Book recommendations for this region:
Recommended maps for this region:
Equipment
Sturdy footwear is obligatory for this route. For the descent sections, poles can be helpful depending on preference.
Even though several refreshment stops are passed, you should have provisions and sufficient drinks in your backpack.
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

User Questions