Objevte krásy Vinschgau

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

We suggest you to start at the train station in Castelbello that you can reach by Val Venosta train or by car.

The Via Monachorum, also referred to as “Silentium“ (Path of tranquillity) connects the villages of Madonna di Senales/Unser Frau and Monte S. Caterina/Katharinaberg with Certosa/Karthaus. There was a historic monastery there, founded by the Carthusian monks in the 14th century.  Dressed in their white robes, the monks lived in silence. Some large parts of the monastery walls have been preserved, as are the Gothic cloister and the former monastery kitchen. There are a number of plaques along this themed trail with philosophical quotations relating to tranquillity and silence. The trail is signposted using life-sized figures of monks.

Hike along the Latschander Waalweg canal. The "Waale" are irrigation systems and the water was drained and fed into the canals so that meadows and fields could be irrigated.

Starting point: Maso Corto/Kurzras, Masi Kofel/Koflhöfe (1,938 m a.s.l.)
Ascent: 949 m elevation gain, 3 hours
Best time: December to April

A pleasant tour and not too difficult; only the part through the woods, along the narrow Sommerweg is somewhat difficult, especially when descending. The ascent starts at Koflhof farm (0.7 km before Maso Corto/Kurzras), moving southwards through the Lagauntal Valley. Before the valley basin, go to the right up the slope north-westwards, arriving at Stotz, north of the Saldurkamm mountains. You can descend either by the same route or by going north via Lazaun Mountain hut to Maso Corto/Kurzras.

Also suitable for intermediate-level skiers.

The sun, in the dialect "Sunn", is the all-determining force on the Vinschger Sonnenberg. It heats up the rocks and bathes the landscape in its golden light. Wonderful starting points alternate with curious, exciting and unexpected insights into the secrets of a sensitive balance of natural forces.

A drag lift carries your children safely and quietly so that they can tackle the next turn. It is an easy piste.

Finailspitze (often spelt Fineilspitze) is a fascinating tour in the Schnalstal Valley offering landscape and archaeological treasures. There is a spectacular view from the summit to the glacier world of the Ötztal Alps: in the east to the Niederjoch glacier with Similaun, Marzellspitze, and to the Hintere Schwärze, in the south towards the Tisental Valley, Schnalstal Valley with the Schlandrauner Mountains opposite, to the Hochjochferner glacier with a view of the Weißkugel. We are following in the footsteps of Ötzi, the Iceman.

Many pathways of tranquillity lead to Certosa/Karthaus, the former Carthusian monastery where the monks took a vow of silence and which still succeeds in emanating a sense of infinite tranquillity today. This themed trail, with some interesting philosophical quotations about tranquillity along the way, has excellent signage that uses life-sized figures of monks. It traces the paths that the monks treaded in silence back in the day.

Altitude: 1750 m - 2150 m

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.

Starting point: Maso Corto/Kurzras (2,011 m a.s.l)
Ascent: 646 m elevation gain, 3 hours, from the Giogo Alto/Hochjoch glacier (Refuge Bella Vista 2,842 m a.s.l)
Best time for departure A: December to May
Best time for departures B and C: March to May

This is a very pleasant tour on a mountain that is still very much glaciated on the north side but that is not without its risks in one part where the “icefall” east of the Giogo Alto/Hochjoch glacier is hazardous due to glacier crevasses. The ascent is from Maso Corto/Kurzras to the Bella Vista lodge or with the Schnalstal valley cable car to the Giogo Alto/Hochjoch glacier; you leave the east side by climbing through the icefall. Avoiding the crevasses, the trail rises steeply to the upper glacier terrace, and keeping to the west of the summit, very steeply to the ridge shoulder. Continue along the short but exposed ridge to the summit.

Descent A: go along the ascent route to the Giogo Alto/Hochjoch pass and descend to the valley as far as Maso Corto/Kurzras or take the Schnalstal Valley cable car.

Descent B: Taking the first steep slope down, then to the right/north-east and continue south-easterly and southwards to the Giogo Alto/Niederjoch pass and on to the Refuge Similaun.

Descent C: Northwards towards the Hochjoch-Hospiz hut and Vent (A)

For good skiers with Alpine experience

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

The downhill- slope for experts brings directly to the valley station, through the natural snow.

The Watles chairlift is open only in winter.

The new theme path provides an insight into viniculture and wine history and spans an arc between agriculture and gastronomy. Different information panels describe local grape varieties, landscape and culinary specialties. The Val Venosta wine path is perfectly walkable from Easter to November and takes you along the irrigation channel paths (Latschander irrigation channel path and Senales irrigation channel path) over long distances. This hike of about 2.5 hours can be made in both directions and it is also possible to choose specific sections only.

The Culture Promenade is a beautiful circular trail of about 7 km in length, located in the valley floor of Sulden. The path is even, with almost no elevation gain, and passes by 12 cultural sites and museums that tell the history of tourism in the Ortler region, from its pioneering days to the present. The promenade is accessible year-round and offers seating areas to relax and enjoy the surroundings.

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.

Hiking along white meadows, past over ancient farmsteads, in the midst of winter silence - all you can hear is the crunching of your feet. Follow the well-marked and prepared winter hiking trail in Madonna di Senales. Depending on the snow situation, snowshoes are recommended.

You can ski at the right and the left side of the ski lift. The routs are not very diffucult so that the whole familiy can sky there.

The run isn't difficult and it offeres you the possibility to enter in the Höferalm.

The Crodarotta summit rises high over the Vernagt reservoir at the centre of the picturesque Schnalstal Valley in South Tyrol. The dramatic views across the reservoir and the rest of the valley will stay with you forever.

Sledging in the Upper Venosta Valley, has a long tradition especially in Watles and is one of the most popular recreational sports for families and enthusiasts. The 4km-long Watles natural tobogganing route of the winter sport area is one of the most beautiful runs in the South Tyrol, which can be reached by chairlift. Active holidaymakers can also reach it by foot in approximately 1.5 hours. There are several family-friendly resting places at the valley and mountain station.

Sledge rental directly at the mountain station of the chairlift