Grawa Alm to the Sulzenau glacier lake – Melting Giants

This tour takes you from the Stubai Valley to the picturesque Sulzenau glacier lake. Here you can impressively see the retreat of the glacier - the lake was only created in 2003 and was largely covered with ice until a few years ago.

It starts at the Grawa Alm bus stop in the Stubaital, which you can easily reach with bus number 590 from Innsbruck main station. Already at the starting point you can hear the roar of the first highlight of the tour - the Grawa waterfall. You follow the path, which can be slippery at times, uphill next to the waterfall. Two viewing platforms offer you fantastic views of the rushing water.

After the first steep climb you reach the Sulzenau Alm, which is located in a picturesque high valley. At the end of the valley, the Sulzenauffall, which is over 200 meters high, attracts everyone's attention. Another climb takes you up to the cozy Sulzenauhütte. You now follow the Sulzenaubach towards the glacier. You still have to overcome one last rocky barrier before you find yourself on the banks of the glittering Sulzenau glacier lake.

As mentioned above, the lake was only created in 2003 due to the steady retreat of the Sulzenauferner. At that time the glacier still reached over the rock face down to today's lake. In 2011 the lake was almost completely covered by glacier ice; in 2016 it was only just under a third. At the beginning of summer 2023, only a tiny amount of ice was left. An information board on the bank also provides information about the retreat of the glaciers.

You hike back via the outward route. Optionally, you can also combine the tour with a night at the Sulzenauhütte and explore the area even further - it's worth it.