Ski touring & snowshoe hiking
Haven’t you always wanted to go off-piste skiing away from the crowded slopes? The Martell Valley is one of the loveliest ski touring areas in South Tyrol and at the same time a well-kept secret. Ski touring is definitely one of the most enjoyable alpine sports. In addition to the fabulous views there is the thrill of the downhill run – a veritable “white dream” when skiing conditions are good. Perhaps the most beautiful way to experience winter.
Mountain and Skiing guide
Georg Maschler
Waldberg 222
39020 Val Martello BZ
Tel. +39 0473 744 801
Cel: +39 380 42 06 729
www.bergerlebnisse.com
| Köllkuppe, 3330 m |
| Getting there: |
Proceed through Goldrain im Vinschgau to the far end of the Martell Valley via Morter until you reach the large car park after the inn Gasthaus Enzianhütte, 2051 m. |
| Starting point: |
Car park at the end of the valley, 2051 m; Zufallhütte cabin, 2264 m; Martellerhütte cabin, 2610 m. |
| Ascent: |
From the car park there is a trail up to the Zufallhütte cabin that is usually easy to find. Just past the cabin it leads off to the left (south-west) through a narrow pass of boulders and on to the level valley floor of the Plimabach stream where we come to the old retaining wall. The trail proceeds on level to the west, then turns to the left (south), leading up a steeper slope to the broad basin below the Fürkeleferner. At a height of approximately 2550 meters we turn to right and see the Martellerhütte cabin, which we keep on the left, heading instead towards the Zufallspitze for some distance. We then turn left and ascend some fairly steep flanks in a south-easterly direction up to the Hohenferner. Then it’s on southwards across the level glacier and up an increasingly steep slope to the saddle to the right of the peak, which we now have no trouble reaching. |
| Descent: |
Along the ascent trail. |
| Difference in altitudes: |
Approx. 1300 m from the car park; a good 700 m from the Martellerhütte cabin. |
| Ascent times: |
Total time 4.5 hrs.; from the Martellerhütte cabin 2.5 hrs. |
| Alerts/difficult conditions: |
A safe avalanche situation is required for this popular tour. Particular caution is necessary on the steep flanks below the Hohenferner and at the peak! On the glacier there are occasionally dangerous cracks! |
| Zufallspitze, 3757 m |
| Getting there: |
Proceed from Goldrain to the far end of the Martell Valley via Morter until reaching the large car park after the inn Gasthaus Enzianhütte, 2050 m. |
| Starting point: |
Car park at the end of the valley, 2051 m; Zufallhütte cabin, 2264 m; Martellerhütte cabin, 2610 m. |
| Ascent: |
From the car park there is a trail up to the Zufallhütte cabin that is usually easy to find. Just past the cabin it leads off to the left (south-west) through a narrow pass of boulders and on to the level valley floor of the Plimabach stream, where we come to the old retaining wall. The trail proceeds on level to the west, then turns to the left (south), leading up a steeper slope to the broad basin below the Fürkeleferner. On the left we now see the Martellerhütte cabin, an ideal base for the tour. We ascend the terraced and increasingly steep Fürkeleferner up to the last, more level terrace at approx. 3550 m. Turn left here (south) heading on to the Scharte, exposing a view of the south face. Then it’s right across the SE ridge (carry skis) and on up to the peak. (This ascent should only be taken when good conditions are absolutely certain!) |
| Descent: |
Along the ascent trail or better yet the routes described below. |
| Other ascent options: |
As described above up to roughly 2800 m, then proceed up across the relatively level Zufallferner holding to the right, circumnavigating the north ridge of the small Zufallspitze peak to the right. After going up a steeper ramp you reach the upper glacier basin with numerous cracks where you can now see the Cevedale and get on the ascent trail from the Casati Hütte cabin. Once up the steep N slope and past the striking edge crack you reach the saddle between the Zufallspitze and the Cevedale. While it is no problem to go on to the nearby Cevedale from here, the trail to the Zufallspitze is a good bit more difficult. To get around a prominent belay you have to descend the south face for roughly 100 meters and then turn left (north) back on up the ridge leading NE to the peak. |
| Ascent via the Langerferner: |
This additional ascent option via the Casati Hütte cabin (“standard route”) is taken when ascending from the valley or the Zufallhütte cabin. |
| Difference in altitudes: |
From the car park: approx. 1750 m; from the Zufallhütte cabin approx. 1550 m; from the Martellhütte cabin approx. 1200 m. |
| Ascent times: |
From the Martellhütte cabin via the Fürkeleferner and southeast ridge: approx. 4 hrs.; from the Martellhütte cabin to the Zufallferner and to the upper Casati Hütte cabin ascent trail: 5 hrs.; from the Zufallhütte via Langerferner/Casati Hütte: 5-6 hrs. |
| Alerts/difficult conditions: |
The tour requires safe snow conditions and extreme caution due to dangerous cracks! |
| Laaserspitze (Orgelspitze), 3304 m |
| Getting there: |
From Goldrain to Martell village via Morter and down Höfestraße in the direction of Stallwies after the church. |
| Starting point: |
Stallwies, 1950 m. |
| Ascent: |
From Stallwies (at the old mill to the right of the stream, following the Sommerweg roughly), we head northwest up through the forest. After a forest aisle we reach the edge of the wood where a low hollow opens to our view. We first proceed up to the left (northwest), then north up slopes that are steep in part to the Steinmanngassenloch, where we get our first view of the peak to the north. After a more level dell the trail leads up the peak flank, which you ascend moving from left to right. The view from this awesome peak is magnificent! |
| Descent: |
Along the ascent trail or better yet the routes described below. |
| Difference in altitudes: |
1400 m |
| Ascent times: |
4 hours |
| Alerts/difficult conditions: |
This tour has numerous steep passages and thus requires absolutely safe conditions. Especially in drifting snow conditions many steep leeward slopes, in part uncircumnavigable, should be avoided! The route is suitable as a firn tour. |
| Plattenspitze, 3422 m |
| Getting there: |
Coming from Goldrain im Vinschgau proceed to the inn Gasthaus Enzianhütte (car park) at the far end of the Martell Valley, 2051 m. |
| Starting point: |
Gasthaus Enzianhütte, 2051 m. |
| Ascent: |
Coming from the Gasthaus Enzianhütte we go back down the road a bit (50-100m) and follow the signs/along the Almweg, shortly reaching the Enzianalm. We proceed through the sparse Swiss pine forest in a north-westerly direction until the lovely Pedertal opens beneath us at the wood’s edge and the entire trail route becomes visible. Then it’s down through the valley floor where we curve away to the left up the approach to the Plattenspitze peak and across medium-steep slopes to the highest point. What a view there is from this high peak situated between Sulden and Martell! |
| Descent: |
Along the ascent trail or better yet the routes described below. |
| Difference in altitudes: |
1400 m |
| Ascent times: |
4 hours |
| Alerts/difficult conditions: |
This tour requires both good physical condition and absolutely safe snow conditions. Ideal in the spring with stable firn. |
| Hasenöhrl, 3256 m |
| Getting there: |
Coming from Latsch im Vinschgau, proceed to Tarsch and on to the valley station of the Tarscher Alm chairlift, 1180m (car park). From here, a little unpaved mountain road leads up to the Latscher Alm 1715m. Only possible after closing of the ski slopes in late spring. The other option is ascent via the Tarscher Alm, 1940 m (ski lift), potentially with an overnight stay. |
| Ascent: |
From the Latscher Alm, 1715 m, go right from Latscher Almbach (orographically left) then left proceeding south across lovely, terraced and in part quite steep terrain up to an elevation of approx. 2400 m. Holding somewhat to the left (southeast) up the ridge we come upon the mysterious layered stone columns of the old aqueduct built in the 19th century. Moving on southeast up the Ulten side we reach the crest at approx. 2600 m, affording us a view of the Arzkarsee Lake. We stay on the ridge for a while until we come to an ideal descent to the left (southwest) towards Kuppelwieser Ferner. Then it’s up the very steep glacier slope, which requires safe snow conditions (crampons!), curving from left to right in the somewhat more level middle section up to the peak. The fabulous panoramic view from this perch is unparalleled! |
| Other ascent options: |
Access through the Ultental coming from the Kuppelwieser Alm, 1808 m (St. Wallburg). In the late winter there is parking at the midway station of the works cable car to the Arzkar damm reservoir at 1906 m. From here, proceed along the road up to the retaining wall of the Arzker Stausee at 2250 m and on along the edge of the lake to a wide trench. Moving through the trench we go westward up into a hollow, in part quite steep, then southwest up under the Kuppelwieser Ferner and on as per the tour description above. |
| Descent: |
Along the ascent trail. |
| Difference in altitudes: |
1600 m |
| Ascent times: |
4 - 5 hours |
| Alerts/difficult conditions: |
The mountain is not suited for climbing in midwinter due to the steep passages that have to be surmounted. This tour requires absolutely safe snow conditions (firn). |
| Hoher Dieb 2730 m |
| Getting there: |
Latsch/Tarsch – valley station of the Latsch/Tarscher Alm ski centre chairlift (1151 m) |
| Ascent: |
A trail from the valley station leads first up to the right (northwest) towards Tarscher Alm. On-piste skiers use it for descent when there is enough snow. After a good two hours of ascent we reach the beautifully situated Tarscher Alm (1939 m). From here we climb up the ski slope to the Zirmruanhütt (2252 m), where the chairlift ends. Ahead of us is a ridge extending towards the east from Hasenöhrl: The peaks are within reach, but the Hoher Dieb is the furtherst away. We leave the ski slope and ascend the north slopes of the Hochjochsteigen in an easterly direction. The terrain here is highly varied, with numerous depressions, hills and slopes which we have to skilfully circumnavigate or avoid (no crossing the slopes when conditions are unfavourable!). At the Hochjoch we come to the wide spine of the ridge, affording us a view of the Ultener Berge mountains; from here we proceed on to the well-visible peak of the Hoher Dieb. The surrounding view is tremendous! |
| Descent: |
Along the ascent trail. |
| Difference in altitudes: |
From the valley station: 1600 m; from the end of the chairlift: 500 m |
| Ascent times: |
From the valley station: 5 hrs.; from the end of the chairlift: 2 hrs. |
| Alerts/difficult conditions: |
This ski tour does not offer many highlight in skiing terms, but the fascinating mountain landscape makes it worthwhile. Crossing the slopes during unsafe conditions should be absolutely avoided! |
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- Current weather
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Temp. min.: 5 °
Temp. max.: 21 °
High pressure conditions.
- Contact
- Tourism association
Latsch - Martell
Hauptstrasse 38/a
39021 Latsch (BZ)
Italy / South TyrolMail
Tel. +39 0473 623109
Fax +39 0473 622042
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