Alpine Tour to Übeltalferner- Refuge Becherhaus (3,195 m)

A magnificent high-altitude mountain tour across glaciers and permanent ice to the highest mountain hut in South Tyrol.

Starting point: Timmelsjoch Road, km 19.7

End point:Timmelsjoch Road, km 19.7

Refreshment points: Timmelsalm Alp, Refuge Müllerhütte, Refuge Becherhaus

Directions

The hike begins at the car park near the Timmelsbrücke bridge (1,760 m), directly on the Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road at km 19.7. From there, follow the ascending track (trail no. 30) into the valley towards the Timmelsalm Alp (1,974 m), which you will reach after approximately 50 minutes.

At the alpine pasture, cross the bridge and continue to follow trail no. 30. The trail now climbs in a north-easterly direction along the left-hand side of the valley. After the first ascent, you reach Unterkrumpwasser (2,230 m), a broad, flat high-alpine plateau where the Passer River flows in pronounced meanders.

Continue along the marked trail, ascending across the slope, with flatter and steeper sections alternating. After another step in the terrain, you reach a level area with a shepherd’s hut (2,350 m). Beyond it comes the final and considerably steeper section of the hike. Following this rocky hillside trail, you eventually climb up to the Großer Schwarzsee lake, located at an altitude of 2,514 m in an alpine cirque.

From the western shore of the Großer Schwarzsee lake, continue ascending in a north-easterly direction, always following trail no. 30, and pass another higher section of terrain as well as a smaller mountain lake. The trail leads through a long, narrow cirque that becomes increasingly steeper towards the end. Crossing rocky terrain and, in the final section, large boulders, you eventually reach the Schwarzwandscharte (3,058 m). Here, an impressive view opens up over the vast Übeltalferner glacier towards the refuge Becherhaus. In early summer, pay particular attention to patches of old snow below the pass.

From the pass, initially descend a few metres onto the glacier. The route, partly marked with red poles, is relatively flat at first, then becomes steeper before flattening out again. Finally, descend into a glacial depression and follow the trail to the right through rocky terrain towards the refuge Müllerhütte (3,145 m).

From the refuge Müllerhütte, continue eastwards with little change in elevation, initially crossing rock and scree for a short distance before traversing the glacier, which slopes gently down to the right, towards the north-western foot of the “Bechergipfel”. From there, ascend steep rocky terrain, partly secured with fixed ropes, passing several rock blocks and sections of scree, until you reach the clearly visible refuge Becherhaus (3,195 m), which sits boldly atop the summit ridge.

The refuge Müllerhütte and refuge Becherhaus are ideal starting points for numerous other rewarding high-alpine tours in the Stubai Alps.

The descent follows the same route as the ascent.

The trail is not suitable for strollers and wheelchairs.

Recommended equipment

As this is a long glacier tour that is technically demanding in some sections, appropriate equipment, as well as sufficient food and drinking water, is essential. In addition to suitable mountain clothing and protection from rain and sun, your equipment should include good mountain boots, crampons, an ice axe, a climbing harness, a safety rope and, if necessary, a helmet.

Parking

• Coming from Meran towards the Passeiertal Valley, take the Jaufenstraße SS44 to St. Leonhard, continue on the Timmelsjochstraße to Moos. After Moos, continue to the parking place Timmelsbrücke bridge.

• Coming from the Timmelsjoch, take the Timmelsjochstraße until just before Moos, then continue to the parking place Timmelsbrücke bridge.

• Coming from the Jaufenpass towards St. Leonhard, take the Jaufenstraße SS44, continue on the Timmelsjochstraße towards Moos and further along the Timmelsjochstraße. After Moos, continue to the parking place Timmelsbrücke bridge.

Parking is available directly at the Timmelsbrücke bridge.

Public transport

Use our public transport services:

• Bus line 240 from Meran towards Moos, Pfelders

• Bus line 240 from Pfelders towards Meran 

Bus stop "Moos, Rathaus" 

and on with:  

• Bus line 335 (operates only from begin June to end September) or bus line 242 (operates from end September to mid-October) from Moos/Moso towards Timmelsjoch/Passo Rombo - Obergurgl (AUT)

Bus stop "Timmelsbrücke"

or directly  

• Bus line 335 (operates only from begin June to end September) or bus line 242 (operates from end September to mid-October) from Moos towards Timmelsjoch - Obergurgl (AUT)

• Bus line 335 (operates only from begin June to end September) or bus line 242 (operates from end September to mid-October) from Obergurgl (AUT) - Timmelsjoch towards Moos 

Bus stop "Timmelsbrücke"

You can find the timetables at www.suedtirolmobil.info or on the Passeiertal app! 

Author's tip

A head for heights, surefootedness, glacier experience and some climbing experience are prerequisites for this high alpine tour. At the Schwarzwandscharte, you should never enter the flat glacier before the obligatory roping up, as there are hidden crevasses right at the beginning. When arranging the rope team, bear in mind that some of the possibly hidden crevasses run in the direction you are walking. The ascent to the Bechergipfel requires special concentration at the end of the tour, as there is a small climbing passage at the beginning. Afterwards, the path runs over several steps along a somewhat exposed ridge to the Becherhaus, where you have to be somewhat careful.