Hiking Tip: “Hühnerspiel Nature Area” in the Stubai Valley

A real hidden gem for mountain lovers at the Augarten Hiking Hotel

Updated on June 19, 2026

If you enjoy exploring the Stubai Valley off the beaten path, don’t miss the Hühnerspiel nature trail. This varied hike leads through an impressive mountain landscape, past rustic alpine pastures, and offers magnificent views of the Stubai Valley’s glacial landscape. Particularly beautiful: the blooming alpine roses and the extraordinary panoramic bench with its breathtaking 360-degree view.

As a hiking-specialty hotel in Neustift, we’d like to help you discover these special places. That’s why we provide you with plenty of hiking extras: free hiking poles and backpacks, the STUBAI.SUPER.CARD with free use of the mountain railways, a free hiking shuttle (50 m from the hotel), a hiking room with a boot dryer, and personalized hiking tips from your host, Stefan.

In addition, you can look forward to daily tour suggestions in our morning newsletter, a weekly hiking talk about the “hikeable Stubai Valley,” free guided hikes from June through September, an energizing breakfast specially designed for hikers, and relaxing hours at the Augartl Spa after your hike.

Everything you need to know about the hike:

A very special circular hike via the Brandstattalm to the natural site of Hühnerspiel. You then descend to the Milderaun-Alm, back via the Auffangalm to the starting point at the Josef parking lot.
Experience the magnificent mountain panorama and enjoy the peace and quiet far away from the mountain tourists. The trail between the Brandstatt and Milderaun alp is an absolute insider tip, as it is not a much frequented hiking trail.

Below the imposing Brennerspitze peak, this artistic and somewhat whimsical natural setting has been created—a meadow where pink-hued alpine roses and blueberry bushes grow. As you sit on the carousel-style bench, you’ll enjoy a unique 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding mountain landscape.
The view extends out of the valley toward the nearby Inn Valley and back into the valley toward the ice giants of the Stubai Valley glaciers. Simply breathtaking! A must-see.

Our favorite round trip:

For the most beautiful route tour – at the same time also the longest and most difficult – you need a walking time of about 6 hours. You will cover 1,100 meters in altitude.

Best Hiking Route to Hühnerspiel:

• The starting point is the parking lot “Josef” in the Oberberg valley.
• From there you can reach the Brandstattalm via the forest path in about 1 hour.
• Continue on a hiking trail that leads directly from the Brandstattalm in the direction of the Seblasspitze. After about 20 minutes, the trail branches off to the left in the direction of Hühnerspiel.
• Then the hike continues for another 1.5 hours, offering magnificent panoramic views across the “Madlasböden” to the Hühnerspiel nature site.
• The descent leads somewhat steeply in about 1 hour to the Milderaun-Alm. From there, continue along the forest path in the direction of Auffangalm in about 1 hour. From the Auffangalm the forest road leads back to the parking lot “Josef”.

Follow the tour on the interactive hiking map:
TO THE INTERACTIVE HIKING MAP

There are 2 other ways to reach the Hühnerspiel directly via the Milderaun-Alm. Depending on your condition, time and weather, we will be happy to advise you on which option to take.

What else is important?

This tour requires good physical condition and stable mountain weather. Of course, you should also wear appropriate footwear and bring plenty of water with you.

Where does the name chicken game actually come from?

The area got its name from the animals that live here: Every year during the mating season (which runs from late March to early June), this area becomes the personal playground for the local capercaillies. We also call them Birkhähne here.
As early as dawn, the dark-colored males roam the lek. Their breasts are a shimmering steel blue; the vivid red patches above their eyes and the white spots on the leading edge of their wings (also called “mirrors”) are equally characteristic of the black grouse in our region.
That’s why the outer, curved tail feathers of the display cocks are a popular hat decoration in the Stubai Valley.
The display of the cocks is a natural spectacle unlike any other! The cocks impress with various poses, high fluttering leaps, a raised tail, and a very distinctive courtship call. This call is a combination of blowing, hissing, and rolling sounds.

Why is our Berg Genuss Hotel Augarten the perfect choice for your hiking vacation in the Stubai Valley?

As a hotel specializing in hiking, we offer our hiking-enthusiast guests a wide range of extras designed specifically for hikers:

• Free use of the Stubai Valley’s mountain railways with the Stubai Super Card (the Stubai Super Card is included in the price)
• Free rental of hiking backpacks and hiking poles right at the hotel
• Central location in Neustift, right in the heart of the hiking area
• Personalized hiking advice at the front desk
• Just 50 meters from the free hiking bus
• A daily, hearty breakfast buffet specially designed for hikers
• On-site drying room with shoe dryers
• Augart’l Spa sauna area for relaxation after a hike
• Guided hikes in the Stubai Valley region
• Presentation on the “Hiking-Friendly Stubai Valley” with the hotel manager himself (once a week)

“We at the Berg Genuss Hotel Neustift wish you a fantastic hike to the Hühnerspiel and an enchanting hiking vacation here with us in the Stubai Valley!”

For more hiking tips, check out our Augarten Magazine:
HERE

Helga & Stefan
from the Berg Genuss Hotel Neustift in the Stubai Valley

Source:
https://www.stubai.at/aktivitaeten/wandern/naturschauplaetze/huehnerspiel/