A Very Social Hike to Bolsterlanger Horn

I planned to do a Hausham gauntlet, visiting all named peaks around the town to check them off my to-do list. As I was going to sleep, I checked my messages and saw the invite in the "Wandern für glückliche Menschen" group for a hike to Bolsterlanger Horn (1586 m).

Although I was hesitant at first because of the long commute, I decided to join the group. After a few public transport changes, Natalia, me, and Kateryna arrived in Fischen im Allgäu and took a bus to Bolsterlang. From there, we started our hike going uphill on the side of a ski slope.

The weather was perfect for hiking despite the forecast predicting rain and snow later in the day. The slope started with an asphalt road leading up. Most of the road was covered in ice, so we had to take the curbs to avoid slipping. As we ascended, the view of the valley opened up, revealing the picturesque villages below.

Soon, we reached the Hörnerbahn Mittelstation "s'Mibbadin", a mountain hut beer garden located halfway up the mountain. It was bustling with people enjoying the day, taking their skiing gear off to relax. The ladies asked for a short break here before continuing our ascent. This hut, as far as I could tell, was part of the Hörnerhaus resort.

From the Hörnerhaus, the trail became steeper and more challenging. We took the more direct route up the mountainsifer, because we didn't want to walk up the active ski slope. The snow was deep, and I had to be extra cautious without sticks, spikes or snowshoes. The weather was also getting worse, with clouds rolling in and reducing visibility.

After a strenuous climb, we finally reached Hörnis Nest, a restaurant near the summit. The view from here was great, although we had to stay aside from all ski enthusiasts exiting the ski lift.

From taking a break at Hörnis Nest, it was a short walk to the summit of Bolsterlanger Horn (1586 m). The trees on the way up provided some shelter from the wind and the snow, so we could enjoy the final stretch of the hike walking on bare ground.

We reached the summit, took some photos, and enjoyed the panoramic views of the Allgäu Alps covered in thick clouds. The snowfall was still picking up, so we decided to head back down after taking another break. We also briefly checked out the playground on the way back to Hörnis Nest and took a break at the restaurant itself, but the food prices were a bit steep for my taste.

The descent was much quicker than the ascent, and we made good time back to the huts in the middle of the slope. We walked on the side of the ski slope, sliding down on the icy patches and traversing the fluffy snow otherwise. The ladies wanted to take yet another break at one of the huts, the "s'Mibbadin", so I decided to explore the interior in the meantime.

I remembered the Tutzinger Hütte near Benediktenwand (1801 m), which I visited in 2024. They sold tons of merchandise there, including huts, keychains, T-shirts, and local drinks and food. Since I was waiting anyway, I asked around for any souvenirs they may have. Unfortunately, this hut didn't have anything of the sort, so I headed back to rejoin the ladies. As we exited the hut and started walking down, an employee I talked with earlier ran out to hand me a flyer for the mountain, with all the hiking trails and ski slopes marked on it. That was such a nice gesture! Make sure to check out their website at hoernerdoerfer.de.

After saying our goodbyes, we kept going and soon reached the asphalt road leading back to Bolsterlang. The snow had mostly melted here despite the surrounding snowfall, making the walk easier. On some icy sections, Natalia used her sitting pad as a sledge to slide down, while I tripped and fell on my leg, making me limp for the next few days.

When we reached the village, we realized the one and only bus back to Fischen im Allgäu would leave in twenty minutes, and we'll have one minute to change to the train back home. We considered our options, with Kateryna deciding to stay and the others going by foot. Despite our predictions, we reached the train station at the same time as the bus with a few minutes to spare.

To sum up, the hike to Bolsterlanger Horn (1586 m) is a delightful experience in any season. The well-marked trails, stunning views, and cozy mountain huts make it accessible and enjoyable for hikers of all levels. Make sure to take the right gear for the conditions, and don't forget to check out the Hörnerhaus or the other huts for a refreshing break along the way!

P.S. The surrounding ridges seem very interesting for future hikes, including the loop back to Fischen im Allgäu and the ridge towards Sonthofen. I'll have to explore them sometime!