Starting from the Head of the Valley in the Val Casies/Gsiesertal Valley – S. Maddalena (1460 m, paid parking), turn right over the valley stream and then left, following trail marker no. 12 through the Pfoital up to the tree line. Continue straight into the valley to the Pfoialm (2134 m, no refreshments) and through the alpine valley to a junction. There, turn right and follow trail marker no. 13 to reach the Hintere Gsieser Lenke (2539 m). Beyond this col, a trail leads in a few minutes to the Schwarzsee (2455 m).
To continue to the Hochkreuzspitze, first return to the Hintere Gsieser Lenke, then turn right and follow trail marker no. 10 northwards to the summit of the Hellböden (2710 m). Along the ridge descend northwestwards into the Pfoischarte (2617 m), and from there, still on trail marker no. 10, ascend again northwestwards to the Hochkreuzspitze (2739 m).
Descent: return first to the Pfoischarte and then follow trail marker no. 12 over the southern ridge to the Uwald Alm (2042 m, refreshments available) and further back to the starting point.

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.

Hike from S. Maddalena through Pfoital Valley to Schwarzsee and on to Hochkreuzspitze, descending via Uwald Alm Hut.