From the Loassattel pass, follow the trail in the direction of the Kellerjoch Hut, i.e. back a little from the Gamsstein or Loas inn and then uphill to the left. The track leads steeply upward, at first passing through sparse mountain woods that offer a little shade, and later across alpine grassland with almrausch (alpine roses) and pines. Apart from the fact that it can be rather hot on good days, the climb offers a wonderful view over the Karwendel, the Inntal valley and also over the Sonntagsköpfel and Gilfert peaks. Just below the Kuhmöser summit, the trail becomes flatter and even runs for a while downward along the sloping flank. From here, you can already see the Kellerjoch Hut, which was built on a particularly beautiful vantage point. One last climb leads to the Kellerjoch Hut after 2h. From here, there are several possibilities for the descent: for vertigo sufferers, the descent via the Alte Kellerjoch Hut and the Proxenalm meadow can be recommended. Those who do not suffer from vertigo and are sure of foot should choose the very beautiful, picturesque “Alpinsteig” (alpine track) past the chapel. Just behind the refuge, a track secured with wire ropes leads to the chapel on the Kreuzjoch pass (approx. 30min). From there, a steep path leads downhill to the Kellerjoch pass, where you must follow the signposts for Gratzenkopf. The trail can already easily be seen from the Kellerjoch pass and leads right along the ridge. At the two following forks in the road, keep to the left each time to reach the summit cross of the Gratzenkopf after approx. 1h 30min. After the Gratzenkopf, the trail leads downhill in a left bend. At the start, it still passes over long grass (be careful in wet conditions), later narrowly winding its way through ever denser woodland until reaching the forest road coming from the Proxenalm meadow. Follow this on the right-hand side with signs pointing to “Schwaz – Zintberg – Pirchner Aste”. Several turnoffs through the wood are well marked out in red. The Pirchner Aste inn half way along the descent offers catering services and invites you in for a snack. After one last stretch through the woods, you will reach the Zintberg mountain asphalt road. Follow it around several hairpin bends to reach the silver town of Schwaz after approx. 1h 30min (from the Pirchner Aste). Even on the descent you have a good view over Schloss Freundsberg castle, which can be easily reached via a detour along the footpath.
From the forest road to the Proxenalm meadow, the track branches off leftward to the Gratzenkopf. Look for the signs and be careful not to miss them.
(Christina Schwann, OeAV)

 

The horseshoe-shaped Kellerjoch mountain range is the highest elevation at the northeastern end of the Tuxer Alps. The relatively modest peaks should not be too quickly underestimated, as the 1,800m altitude difference with the Inn makes the boulder-strewn ridge an outstanding vantage point over the Inntal valley. From the Kellerjoch Hut of the Schwaz section of the Austrian Alpine Club, you can reach the little chapel at the Kellerjoch pass using a rather exposed but well secured track and enjoy a breathtaking view into the Karwendel mountains and the Inntal valley far below. Sheltered by the high mountains to the North and the somewhat lower peaks of the Tuxer Alps to the South that allow enough sunshine onto the valley floor, the Inntal valley has very favourable climate conditions. Furthermore, the warm Foen winds have a positive effect on the vegetation – if not always on those who are sensitive to weather changes. In the past, the Inntal valley was predominantly a large, marshy area, but today its appearance is mainly influenced by agriculture, industrial areas and the Inntal motorway. The descent over the Zintberg mountain already takes you to the turn-off in the footpath to "Freundsberg" Castle, whose tower houses the Schwazer “Bergbau- und Heimatmuseum” (Mining and Local History Museum). The castle is one of the symbols used to present the lower Inntal valley. The first naming ceremony dates back to the year 1128. Mining has always played an influential role in Schwaz, the "silver town", as it is also called. The economic wealth of the town in the 15th century also had an extremely positive effect in cultural terms. And although the town was almost totally destroyed by fire in the Tyrolean Freedom Wars of 1809, many of the buildings bear witness to the brilliance of days gone by even today. The "Church of our Lady” parish church, which is the biggest Gothic church in Tyrol, the Franciscan monastery with its cloister, the Fuggerhaus (a merchant family house) and the town hall are some of the most interesting buildings to visit. Famous personalities such as Hans Sachs, Paracelsus or the Emperor Maximilian in the 15th century were guests in the silver town. Even today, world-famous artists gather to meet each other in the beautiful town of the lower Inntal valley. Special mention should be made above all to the "Klangspuren-Festival" and the "Avantgarde Schwaz", which have attracted attention from far beyond the borders of Tyrol.
(Christina Schwann, OeAV)