Hike up to the Kanisfluh summit with ibexes

Kanisfluh hike – Mellau to Kanisfluh with ibex observation

On a wonderful day the hike starts directly at the parking lot of the Mellauer mountain lifts. Along the road you reach the nearby forest. After a few minutes in the forest, we turn right and go very steeply up to the “Hofstätten cottage”.

The Hofstätten cottage on the way to the Kanisfluh – an impressive view

The location cottage can be described as special – the view in any case. In the meantime the cottage is privately owned and no longer served. Next to the cottage there is a not so small mountainThe Vorarlberger Bergkäse (mountain cheese) is a regional cheese specialty from the Austrian province Vorarlberg. » More info stream, where you can have a great rest. The beautiful waterfalls invite you to stay. When the weather is nice, you can also take a bath and grill – the naturalHere in Austria, we call our fresh, natural milk for our cheese production hay milk (hay mild standard) - in Germany it is different. » More info pool is more than big enough.

The path to Kanisfluh mountain continues right behind the stream. If there is a lot of water you have to be careful when crossing – the bridge is no longer there. However, the path then only knows one direction, very steep upwards – without interruption. And it drags on until you reach the plateau. But the first 1000 meters of altitude have been reached.

The path relaxes on the plateau and continues for a while parallel to the Kanisfluh. Later, at the path split you either walk left up (again steep) to the Kanisfluh summit or, easier, right down to the Alpengasthof Edelweiss.

Further to the Kanisfluh summit and encounter with ibex and chamois

Again it goes steeply further 500 height meters up to the Kanisfluh summit. At the top you have to unpack the DDoptics binoculars 10×42 and the Pirschler spotting scope and look out for ibex (Stein Bock) and chamois.

With a little luck, you can spot some of the wildlife in the Alps and observe them for longer – possibly discovering an edelweiss (flower). Kanisfluh is also known for its rare and special bird species such as the Rock Thrush. Occasionally a golden eagle flies over you.

Today is a very good day – our binoculars were not dragged up for nothing. See for yourself:

After these wonderful observations the descent begins to the next highlight – the Alpengasthof Edelweiss (extraordinary restaurant with rooms)

The newly renovated Alpengasthof Edelweiss

Right from the start – a visit to the Alpengasthof Edelweiss in Au at the foot of the Kanisfluh is a MUST.

The descent takes a little longer, but at the Alpengasthof you will be greeted by a large sunny terrace. Behind the house there is an alpine lounge with very comfortable seating.
At the Alpengasthof you can really endure a long time and stay overnight. It has some double rooms, 2 apartments and even a wellness area. The accommodation is booked with overnight stay with half board.

The guesthouse is outside as well as inside lovingly arranged by the owners Helga Diem and Josef Moosbrugger. At the moment you feel very comfortable – even in the rooms. At a later hour you can make yourself comfortable in the Fox-Cave Bar.

The friendliness of the owners and all helpers is immediately noticeable and extraordinary. The qualityDetecting cheese defects and quality - on the cheese dough. Recognizing cheese defects requires some practice. » More info of the food and drinks really make the palate sing. The evening menu surprises, the wines too – one forgets completely that one is on a mountain inn at 1500m altitude.

The next day the wonderful breakfast is served on the sun terrace with a clear view. Like all adventures, it ends afterwards and it’s time to get back on the road and after a short ascent you’ll descend 1000 m to Mellau.

Conclusion: Absolutely Recommended Hiking Tour

This hike is highly recommended for all nature lovers who are good walkers and have a reasonable basic physical fitness. With a bit of luck you can see the stone deer colony from close up. Good footwear is a matterThe dry matter refers to that portion of the cheese that remains after removal of the water contained. The more water is removed from the cheese, the lower its dry matter and vice versa. » More info of course. It is also recommended to take enough to drink with you, possibly also an energy bar.

TIP: Don’t forget to bring good binoculars such as DDoptics and a good camera with sufficient zoom. A spotting scope can also be a great advantage.