The solitary hike through unspoilt nature

Starting point: Gsiesertal Valley – St. Martin, Tourism office (1276 m)

Distance: 25 km

Descent: along the same route

Walking time: 7 hours

Difficulty: difficult

Altitude difference: 1279 m

Information: Line 441 www.suedtirolmobil.info

Hike from St. Martin through Karbach Valley to the Ochsenfelder Lakes with return via alpine pastures and shepherd paths.

Car parking at St. Martin in the Village or at "am Kofel" along the road below the Karbacherhof.

Coming from Innsbruck/Brennero (A): Drive on the Highway of Brennero (A22) until the exit Bressanone/Val Pusteria, then go on along the SS49-E66 for about 58kms until you arrive in Monguelfo. To get to Tesido and the Val Casies Valley, we recommend to take the exit West in Monguelfo.
Coming from Lienz (A): You can reach us also padding by Lienz in Westtyrol (A). You have to cross the Austrian-Italian border between Ahrnbach and Winnebach (B100-E66) and drive on the SS46-E66 until Monguelfo. To get to Tesido and the Val Casies, we recommend to take the exit West in Monguelfo.

Train and bus: www.altoadigemobilita.info

Bus line 441

From the valley road in the Gsiesertal Valley – St. Martin (1276 m) follow trail marker no. 36 westwards up to the Karbacher Hof (1440 m, refreshments available; also accessible by car). From there, continue on trail no. 42 into the Karbach Valley and further to the Ochsenfeldalm (2014 m). North-westwards, the trail continues across alpine slopes up to the Grüblscharte (2394 m); there turn sharply right and follow the trail markers no. 9 east-northeastwards across extensive alpine pastures to the Ochsenfelder Seen (2555 m).

Descent: either along the ascent route or, to shorten the upper section by about half an hour, walk down the grassy slopes, partly on shepherds’ paths, directly to the Ochsenfeldalm. From there, follow trail no. 42, passing the Schäfer Alm (1616 m), back to the starting point.