Beautiful panoramic tour across the Aschtalm, Pfinn huts, Pfinnscharte and Hoher Mann

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

Descent: back via the ascent route

Walking time: approx. 3 hours 30 min.

Difficulty: easy ski mountain that mainly requires stamina

Altitude difference: 1100 m

Slope exposure: south + east

Winter tour from St. Magdalena via Ascht and Pfinn Alm Huts to Hoher Mann, ascent and descent on stable snow.

Car park on payment 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

Bus line 441

From the Head of the Valley in St. Magdalena (1465 m), follow the piste uphill to the alpine path no. 10 “Ascht”. Continue along the wide forest road through deep snow to the Aschtalm (1950 m, refreshments available). From there head west to the Pfinnalm (2152 m) and the Pfinnscharte (2395 m). Beware of avalanche danger; the summit slope should only be attempted with a stable snow cover. In about 30 minutes climb steeply along the ridge to the Hoher Mann (2539 m). The impressive panoramic view rewards your efforts, and the descent is pure enjoyment. Alternatively, from the Aschtalm you can ascend on the orographic left side of the stream, through sparse forest and wide alpine meadows, past the hay barns of the Pfinn huts, towards the Hoher Mann. From the notch at 2499 m keep left and climb the Hoher Mann over the northern ridge. For snowshoe hikers: follow forest road no. 10 to the Pfinnalm (2152 m), then in about 45 minutes climb steeply up the valley basin to the Pfinnscharte (2359 m).