There is an unusual forest at the far end of the Muota Valley, below the Pragel Pass: the Bödmeren Virgin Forest. It grows on a rugged karst ridge with sinkholes, rifts and fissures where the snow stays down for a long time. The central area is intact, and some of the spruce trees are over 500 years old. They survived earlier periods of intensive forest exploitation because they were so difficult to reach. You'll notice that many of the spruces have a columnar crown shape because they adapted to the heavy snowfalls. The nature reserve has a total area of about 550 hectares – or 770 football pitches. It's difficult to believe that Switzerland's largest cave system – the Hölloch – stretches for over 200 kilometers beneath the reserve.

Between Mittenwald and Bödmeren, the hike takes you through part of this, the largest virgin spruce forest in the Alps. Shortly after you start out, you will pass through a spruce forest that is structured by a small collective of trees. Then comes a sparse birch forest with plenty of shrubs, single spruces and gnarled mountain pines. The flora reacts very sensitively to soil conditions and microtopography, resulting in great biodiversity. The landscape features slender weeping silver firs, downy birch trees, lichens, mosses, ferns, an abundance of dead wood, beautiful clearings and sheer rock faces.

The mosaic of forest and pastureland accompanies us along the entire route. Forest areas have been cleared to gain land for grazing where the soil was suitable. Fascinating small biotopes can be seen along the way. The high rate of precipitation - approximately 2500mm per year – drains away quickly, except where layers of clay seal the ground. These natural watering holes enable livestock to graze in this area which has no watercourses. After hiking past impressive panoramic views of the Muota Valley, we return to the starting point.