General description
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.).
Route description
The glacier train will take you up to 3,212 m in only 6 minutes. At the mountain station, follow the signposts and, behind the cable car building, take trail no. 3 down to the Grawand chair lift station, which is relatively snow and ice-free, depending on the time of the year. After the chair lift station, the marked trail goes downwards over gentle rocky terrain. However, particular care is required in some places. While the short rocky steps are not difficult, they do require your full attention. You then have to take a short climb to get to the refuge hut, Bella Vista, which certainly lives up to its name. From this vantage point, you can take in the magnificent view of the Hochjochferner glacier, the Wildspitze, the Finailspitze and the view down into the Ötztal Valley. The trail up to the summit is signposted directly behind the lodge sauna and is marked with cairns. After a hike of about an hour over rising rocky terrain, the hiker is greeted with a magnificent view and more cairns. Use the same trail to go back down to the hut. The descent into Maso Corto/Kurzras is along an easy bridle path (A3). Further along the trail we pass a watery depression in which archaeologists found silica (stela). This is why we assume that this was a spot where pre-historic hunters lay in wait for their prey.
Description to arrive at destination
Naturno/Naturns - Schnalstal Valley - Maso Corto/Kurzras
Parking
parking place in front of the village Maso Corto/Kurzras in summer to pay, unguarded; in winter free, unguarded
Public transport
with the SAD bus line no. 261 to Maso Corto/Kurzras