Holidays in Vinschgau/Val Venosta

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.

The Teufelsegg slopes offer challenging ski-runs with spectacular views. At theirs end the Teufelsegg mountain hut invites to a culinary break.

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

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

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.

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

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.

Starting point: Certosa/Karthaus (1,327 m a.s.l.)
Ascent: 1,474 m elevation gain, 4 hours
Best time: winter and early spring

Uphill and downhill possible with skis from  to Certosa/Karthaus if the snow conditions are good. Referred to as Gamseck on some maps. The ascent is from Certosa/Karthaus along the road to Farmstead Sennhof and then on the forest path to malga del convento, above Certosa/Karthaus, from there continue southwards to the highest and rather steep ascent to the secondary summit of the Trumserspitze.

Descent A: The same as the ascent route and the road to Certosa/Karthaus.

Descent B: Northwards to malga del convento and along the forest path as far as the viewing point for Certosa/Karthaus and then directly downhill to Certosa/Karthaus through the forest aisle.

For practised skiers

The mountain pasture Mastaun is also temporarily managed in winter. It is located in the high mountain valley of the same name, the Maustaun Valley, and belongs to the farmstead Mastaunhof, which is one of the largest farms in the Schnalstal Valley in terms of area. There are some indications that several centuries ago the mountain pasture was still a farm that was inhabited all year round.

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

Starting point: Certosa, Karthaus (1,327 m a.s.l)
Ascent: 1,572 m elevation gain, 4.5 hours
Best time: December to May

Orographically speaking, situated to the right of Penaudtal Valley. Very popular due to the wonderful long downhill runs through the Penaudtal Valley. Ascend from Certosa/Karthaus on the road to Farmstead Sennhof and then towards Penaudtal Valley (on a forest path). Rising southwards through the valley until the trail is wider, before the plateau at the Mountain pasture Penaud (2,150 m a.s.l). Take a left here and climb along the steepening lateral valley in a south-easterly direction. Finally, continue to the summit (remove skis, if necessary) over a ridge with a number of quite difficult sections. Descend by the same route.

For good skiers.

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

The valley descent starts at the glacial lakes and consists of two challenging slopes. Skiers reach the valley station of the glacier cable car at Maso Corto/Kurzras.

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: 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 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 Watles chairlift is open only in winter.

The heart of the Texelgruppe Nature Park is the largest side valley of the Schnalstal Valley and can only be reached by a single, partly steep road, passing ancient farms. From the paid parking lot at the Vorderkaserhof Inn you continue on foot.

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.

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

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.

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.

In the newly designed Kinderland, kids can enjoy their first experiences on skis. Equipped with an Indian “teepee” tent, two magic carpets, and a ski carousel, the playground in the snow provides an ideal area for kids to romp around on.

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, 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.