Stage 6: Maurach → Eng
This morning began with what might have been the best hotel breakfast we’ve had in a long while. A delicious spread of breads, cheeses, fruit, and more — it felt like a real treat before heading back into the mountains. Afterward, we stopped by the bank and a local deli to pick up sandwiches for the trail, then used the bus pass provided by our hotel. First we rode to Pertisau, then transferred onto the express bus to Gramai Alm, reaching our starting point around 11:00.
We set off under cloudy skies, with Ric taking a quick detour to check out a waterfall just off the path. The hike began gently, with a series of switchbacks that made the climb manageable. But soon the weather shifted: first a drizzle, then a steady rain, then a downpour with thunder rolling through the mountains.
Just when things looked bleak, we spotted a hut only about 15 minutes off our route — and to our great relief, it was open. Walking through the door we were met with a blast of warmth. We hung up our soaked clothes, ordered bowls of hot soup and mugs of steaming hot chocolate, and thawed out in the cozy atmosphere. It felt like a small miracle.
[Insert Photo – steaming soup and hot chocolate in mountain hut]
When we stepped outside again, the rain had turned to snow. Bundled up, we continued on, and the long two-hour descent became much more enjoyable. The landscape was stunning in the fresh snow, and to our delight we spotted numerous ibex grazing and moving across the slopes.
Finally, the hotel in Eng came into view. We changed out of wet clothes once more and headed straight to supper. Later in the evening we reunited with Heather and Dermot, swapping stories from the trail over dinner. With the snow still falling outside, we turned in early, grateful for warmth, food, and a soft bed.
Stage Notes – Day 6
Route: Maurach → Gramai Alm (bus) → Eng (hike)
Distance: ~10–12 km hiking (shortened by bus transfer)
Ascent: ~600–700 m
Highlights: Cozy mountain hut with soup and hot chocolate during a storm, sudden shift from rain to snow, spotting ibex on the descent, reuniting with Heather and Dermot in Eng