Mountain Tour to the "Hofmannspitze" Peak (3,113 m)
A challenging but safe summit hike offering rewarding views of the Großer Übeltalferner Glacier and the Becherhaus hut.
Starting point: Timmelsjoch Road, km 19.7
End point: Timmelsjoch Road, km 19.7
Refreshment stop: Timmelsalm Alp
Directions
You begin the hike at the car park near Timmelsbrücke Bridge (1,760 m), directly on the Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road at km 19.7. From here, follow the moderately ascending track (trail no. 30) into the valley towards Timmelsalm Alp (1,974 m), which you reach after around 50 minutes.
At the alp, 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 following the marked trail uphill along the slope, alternating between flatter and steeper sections. After another rise in the terrain, you reach a level area with a shepherd’s hut (2,350 m). Beyond the hut comes the final, considerably steeper section of the hike. Following this rocky trail along the slope, you eventually reach the Großer Schwarzsee Lake, situated at an altitude of 2,514 m in an alpine cirque.
From the western shore of Großer Schwarzsee Lake, continue climbing in a north-easterly direction, always following trail no. 30, to another higher level, passing a smaller mountain lake along the way. The trail leads through a long, enclosed cirque that becomes increasingly steep towards the end. Crossing rocky terrain and, in the final section, a field of boulders, you eventually reach Schwarzwandscharte (3,058 m). Here, an impressive view opens up over the vast Übeltalferner glacier as far as the Becherhaus.
In early summer, take particular care when crossing or passing beneath the col, as old snowfields may still be present.
From the col, follow a narrow but easily manageable trail over a rocky ridge for the final metres to the summit of Hofmannspitze (3,113 m).
The descent follows the ascent route.
The route is not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs.
Recommended equipment
War sturdy hiking boots, appropriate clothing for the weather and bring sufficient water and provisions.
Description to arrive at destination
• 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 "Ponte del Tumulo"
• Coming from the Timmelsjoch, take the Timmelsjochstraße until just before Moos, then continue to the parking place "Ponte del Tumulo"
• 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 "Ponte del Tumulo"
Parking
Parking is available directly at the Timmelsbrücke Bridge.
Public transport
Choose a more environmentally friendly way to travel and 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 good level of fitness is a prerequisite for this tour. Otherwise, there are no dangerous or difficult sections on this mountain tour. Only the last section below the Schwarzwandscharte is a bit steep and, depending on the amount of snow in winter, covered with snow until the end of July.
Always stay on marked trails, check the weather conditions before you hike and pay particular attention to snow, wet ground, or slippery sections.