Skigebiet Schnalstal

Archaeological trail A5 begins in the village of Certosa/Karthaus where you can visit the cloister of the former Carthusian monastery. It then leads into the Penaud valley as far as the area known as “Karl Sumperer”. From here, you can view virtually the entire valley, with a panoramic view to the summits of the Similaun group of mountains. Arriving at Niederjöchl shortly after, you will have a magnificent view of Vinschgau valley, of the ice-capped peaks of the Cevedale and of the Martelltal valley. This is followed by the long descent to Sankt Martin am Kofel and its pilgrimage church. From here, it’s only a few minutes by cable car to Laces/Latsch.

The castle of the Noblemen of Senales once stood where the parish church of Monte Santa Caterina/Katharinaberg now stands with its tower reaching for the heavens was once. However, the Carthusians had it destroyed in 1350. In earlier times, there was a proto-historic human settlement here. A Bronze Age sickle element with silica and Iron Age ceramic artefacts are proof that this area has been used for thousands of years. It would appear that a pre-historic trail ran along here coming up from Vinschgau.

This unglaciated peak on the southern edge of the Ötztal Alps is on the border between Italy and Austria and is one of the easiest 3000 m-peaks to climb in the mountain range. It offers a wonderful panorama view towards the southern Schnalstal Valley and the Weißkugel (3,739 m a.s.l.).

The new black-labeled run is a training track for slalom and giant slalom specialists, offering the international elite in Alpine skiing the possibility to complete challenging workouts at the Senales Valley glacier skiing area in early autumn. But watch out: with a drop of 200 meters and an inclination of almost 60%, the Leo Gurschler ski slope is for experts only! It is in fact named after the local pioneer and visionary Leo Gurschler, who built the only glacier skiing area in South Tyrol, here in Senales Valley, 40 years ago.

An easy but fascinating archaeological trail from Monte Santa Caterina/Katharinaberg up to Obermairalm Mountain Hut, along an almost level trail to Dickeralm Mountain Hut, through a beautiful larch forest to the Linthof farm and from there to the gondola lift that takes us down to Naturno/Naturns in a few minutes.

Alpine hike to the one-time highest grain farm in Europe the Finailhof farm (1,973 m).

Starting point: Madonna di Senales/Unser Frau (1,508 m a.s.l)
Ascent: 1,586 m elevation gain, 5 hours
Best time: March to May

A double summit (western summit 3,083 m a.s.l, eastern summit 3,094 m a.s.l) to the west of the Mastaun summit and the Mastaunjoch pass. Take the trail upwards from Madonna di Senales/Unser Frau through the Mastauntal Valley, as with Tours 9, until you reach flat ground having negotiated the steep slope. Then, take a right in a north-westerly direction until you come to the Mastaunjoch pass (2,927 m a.s.l) and the quite difficult climb up to the western summit. You can also turn off towards the north beneath the Mastaunjoch pass and climb to the eastern summit, which is the easier one. The descent is similar to the ascent.

For practised skiers with Alpine experience

Starting point: Mountain station Grawand (3,212 m a.s.l) or Refuge Bella Vista (2,842 m a.s.l)
Best time: March to May
Degree of difficulty: for good skiers with Alpine experience

Day 1 ascent: 600 m elevation gain, 4 hours
The same ascent route as ski tour to the Ötzi discovery site; the trail then takes you downhill on the Niederhochferner glacier and briefly uphill to the Refuge Similaun (3,019 ma.s.l).

Day 2 ascent: 600 m elevation gain, 2 hours
The ascent goes from the Similaun lodge to Similaun in a south-easterly direction over the Niederjochferner glacier, rising only slightly to begin with but becoming steeper, up to a narrow and often monitored summit ridge.

Descent A: descend back along the ascent route.

Descent B: eastwards to the Similaunjoch pass and then northwards over the Marzellferner glacier to the Mountain hut Martin-Busch and on to Vent (A)

Descent C: eastwards to the Similaunjoch pass and then southwards over the Grafferner glacier and Graftal Valley to Inn Jägerrast  (Vorderkaser) in the Pfossental Valley.

Of the 3 options, descent C (down into the Pfossental Valley) is highly recommended but only in good conditions.

Starting point: Maso Corto/Kurzras, car park (2,011 m a.s.l)
Ascent: 1,445 m elevation gain, 5 hours
Best time: December to May

The Schwemserspitze is south of the Weißkugel with which it creates a massif between the Schnalstal valley and Matschertal valley. The ascent is from Maso Corto/Kurzras  across along Sommerweg (summer path) as far as the bridge, then in each case turning left into the Langgrubtal Valley. Then turn towards the north and climb the steep slopes as far as the Schwemser Ferner glacier. The easiest way to climb the glacier is by the south-west ridge. You can descend along the same route.

For good skiers with Alpine experience

Archaeological trail A10 is a particularly beautiful hike but somewhat longer and at times at higher altitudes.

Starting point: Pfossental Valley, car park Gasthof Jägerrast inn (1,693 m a.s.l)
Ascent: 1,625 m elevation gain, 5-6 hours
Best time: March to mid-June

The Texelspitze is not only well known for its Nature Park but is also very popular because of the wonderful ski touring run. However, the tour is somewhat difficult due to the long climb through the Pfossental valley. After travelling along the forest path on the bottom of the valley for about 5 km you’ll arrive at Maso Gelato/Eishof farm at 2,069 m a.s.l. Take a right here over the stream and southwards, firstly on a sleep slope and then across splendid ridges to arrive at the Texelferner glacier. Cross the glacier, the trail rising in a southerly direction as far as the south-west side of the summit. The final steps to the summit can be taken once you’ve removed your skis. The best descent is by the same route.

For good skiers with Alpine experience

According to oral tradition, after the dissolution of the Carthusian monastery of Allerengelsberg in 1782, the farmed Alpine pastures of Klosteralm (open from the beginning of June to mid / end of October, depending on the weather) at 2,152 m became the property of a number of families in Certosa/Karthaus who set up a syndicate which has thirty members today. The farm was only accessible by a narrow mountain path until a transport cable car was built in 1959. Thanks to the avalanche barrier beneath the Kreuzspitze, a road link was provided as an “ancillary benefit”. Due to its steep and stony pastures, the farm has been used almost exclusively as a typical farm for young cattle.

The Lazaun high plateau is marked by the power of the glacier, for example, by an active block glacier and a high moor. You will find very distinctive Alpine flora here, including the dwarf willow (Salix herbacea), the smallest tree in the world. With any luck, the attentive observer will also be treated to rare sightings of local fauna. Numerous marmots live up here in addition to rock partridge and snow grouse.

The mountain pasture Lafetz lies on 2,015 m a.s.l in the middle of a magnificent natural landscape. There you will be rewarded with an exclusive view of the Similaun, the Ötztal Alps and the place of discovery Ötzi.

An extremely interesting and beautiful trail through Pfossental valley, part of the Texelgruppe Nature Park. This is the largest nature park in South Tyrol and if you’re lucky, you’ll see some of the fauna that lives here.

Starting point: Madonna di Senales/Unser Frau (1,508 m a.s.l)
Ascent: 1,472 m elevation gain, 4.5 hours
Best time: December to May

Together with the Kleinen Wigenspitze that is slightly northwards, the Hohe Wiegenspitze rises between the Mastauntal and the Penaudtal valleys. Climb from Unser Frau through the Mastauntal valley, passing by the beautifully situated Mountain pasture Mastaun  (1,810 m a.s.l). At the end of the valley, once you have negotiated the steep slope you will be on flat ground again. The trail continues, taking a sharp left, over the hollows of a wide valley and finally rising sharply over the western ridge to the summit. Descend by the same route.

For good skiers with Alpine experience

Hiking trail through the untouched Lagauntal high valley to the former Heilbronner refuge lodge

The untouched Lagauntal Valley is one of the most beautiful valleys in South Tyrol. The trail up to the former Heilbronn hut and the Tascheljöchl provide a breathtaking long-distance view of numerous 3000m-peaks. On the way to Berglalm Mountain Hut, we pass through idyllic high mountain terrain with expansive larch forests.

Starting point: Mountain station Grawand (3,212 m a.s.l) or Refuge Bella Vista (2,842 m a.s.l)
Ascent: 700 m elevation gain, 3 hours
Best time: November to May

Descend to the edge of the right-hand tongue of the Hochjoch glacier at approx. 2,700 m a.s.l. Follow the hilly moraine ridges rising diagonally eastwards until you come to a short, steep slope and the edge of the glacier. The trail continues over a wide but rather flat glacier to Hauslabjoch pass at 3,279 m a.s.l with spectacular views. From this point, you already have an unimpeded view of the Ötzi pyramid. After a short downhill trek you come to the stone pyramid at 3,210 m a.s.l. Descend using the same route and then the valley trail to Maso Corto/Kurzras.

For intermediate level skiers with Alpine experience

This high-Alpine trail presents the hiker with dramatic views and scenic highlights.

This archaeological trail begins with a ride on the glacier train from Maso Corto/Kurzras to the summit station, then there’s a short climb to Grawand and its imposing summit cross; it passes over the ridge and drops down to the small Finailsee lake, goes on to the Finailhof farm, once the highest grain farm in the region, passes unhurriedly by Raffeinhof farm to Tisenhof farm and then into the village of Vernago/Vernagt with its wonderful dam and reservoir.

The high mountain valley has always been an important crossing from Laces/Latsch and Kastelbello/Kastellbell in Vinschgau Valley, where there were already settlements during the Copper Age, as seen with the menhir in Latsch. Recent archaeological finds in the ground around the Penaudalm Mountain Hutand the old mountain farm suggest that this area had been used as a hunting ground not only since the Mesolithic Age but that the high plateau already had a seasonal settlement from the Bronze Age on. We are still waiting for the results of analyses to see if the buildings discovered were connected to milk processing, that is to say, cheese production.

The untouched Lagauntal, one of the most beautiful valleys in South Tyrol, and the mountain pasture Bergl are also a popular place of excursions in winter. You hike through a snowy, idyllic high mountain landscape with extensive larch forests.

A lovely gentle meditation or pilgrimage path which takes you through the fragrant larch woods of Madonna di Senales/Unser Frau to a sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary. There are a number of quiet, shady resting places with carvings and statues by local artists and craftsmen.

A beautiful winter hiking tour on the Lauzaun plateau (2,430 m. a.s.l). Here you are rewarded with a fantastic view of several 3,000 m peaks.

Starting point: Certosa/Karthaus (1,327 m a.s.l)
Ascent: 1,602 m elevation gain, 4.5-5 hours
Best time: December to May

Also orographically speaking to the right of the Penaudtal Valley and more southerly towards Vinschgau Valley. The ascent is also from Certosa/Karthaus into the Penaudtal Valley, as with the ski tour to the Grubenspitze, but to Mountain pasture Penaud; continue up the Penaudtal Valley, take a left at altitude 2,500 and climb the lateral valley in a south-easterly direction. It is possible to reach the summit on skis. Descend by the same route.

For good skiers.

A great tour from Maso Corto/Kurzras up to a splendid summit with a glorious view.

For centuries now, the inhabitants of St. Martin im Kofel, located above Laces/Latsch, have been making the pilgrimage over the Niederjöchl pass (2,662 m a.s.l) to the pilgrimage site of Madonna di Senales/Unser Frau, in order to pray together with the people of Senales for a good harvest.

This tour, that can be done from early spring to late autumn, depending on the weather, takes us along the highest grain farm in Europe. Grain was cultivated at this altitude right up to the second half of the last century, when the construction of the dam and reservoir also changed the climate of the Schnalstal Valley. There are archaic structures along this trail that have only changed slightly during the development of mountain farming over thousands of years.