a maximum weight of 6kg by late September. They hibernate beneath the snows, living off their body fat, until they re-emerge much slimmed down in April. Marmots are found at many places along the route, and sightings are guaranteed.
The second most likely high mountain mammal to be seen is the chamois (gams). These timid, skittish creatures of the antelope family inhabit barely accessible high slopes where they move with amazing sure-footedness. They are often heard before they are seen, as they run across the slopes generating a rocky clatter from falling scree. Fully grown they reach just 75cm in height and have short straightish horns that hook backwards towards the tip. They live in groups of up to thirty individuals, mostly females and juveniles, with older males living a solitary life.
The eponymous zirbe (pine) growing alongside Zirbenweg (Stage 13)
The ibex (steinbock), a herbivorous member of the goat family, is the largest of the three mountain mammals. Males grow to 1m with large backward facing horns, while females are about half this size. Days are spent on rocky slopes above the tree line where they are safe from predators. In late afternoon, they descend to feed on leaves and shrubs in the forest, where they can sometimes be seen standing on their hind legs to reach juicy higher leaves. Ibex were severely depleted by hunting, but numbers are now increasing.
Black alpine choughs (alpendohle) with yellow beaks and red legs are ubiquitous birds, performing aerial acrobatics over the mountaintops. Pairing for life, they nest on rocky cliff ledges at a higher altitude than any other bird species. Seemingly unafraid of humans, they will often try to plunder your lunchtime sandwiches.
The only way to be sure to see a golden eagle (adler) is to visit Innsbruck Alpen zoo (Stage 12), where a rather sad looking captive pair inhabit a large aviary. There are 12 pairs living in Karwendelgebirge, although if you are lucky enough to see one in the wild it is unlikely to be more than a mere dot high in the sky. They are ferocious predators with a wingspan of 2m and powerful talons that can sieze creatures as large as small roe deer.
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