A beautiful panorama tour across the Aschtalm, Pfinnhütten, Pfinnscharte and Hoher Mann

Starting point: Gsiesertal Valley – St. Magdalena, Head of the valley (1465 m)

Descent: back via the ascent route

Hiking time: 03:30 h

Difficulty: easy | ski mountain requiring mainly endurance

Altitude difference: 1100 m

Slope exposure: south + east

From St. Magdalena via Aschtalm and Pfinnscharte up to Hoher Mann.

Car park at the head of the valley in St. Magdalena.

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.

Bus & train timetable: www.suedtirolmobil.info

Line 441

From the Head of the Valley in St. Magdalena (1465 m) follow the piste edge to the alpine path (signpost “Ascht no. 10”). Take the wide forest road through snow-covered woods up to the Aschtalm (1950 m, refreshments available). Continue westwards on the alpine trail to the Pfinnalm (2152 m) and to the Pfinnscharte (2395 m). Avalanche risk: only ascend the summit slope with a stable snow cover! In about 30 minutes steeply along the ridge to the Hoher Mann (2539 m). Alternative: from the orographic left side of the stream ascend from the Aschtalm through sparse forest and wide alpine meadows, past hay barns of the Pfinn pastures towards the Hoher Mann. From the notch at 2499 m keep left and climb via the northern ridge to the summit. Snowshoe hikers: as described, follow forest path no. 10 to the Pfinnalm (2152 m), from there reach the Pfinnscharte (2359 m) in about 45 minutes with a steep ascent along the valley basin.