Transalp snowshoe tour through the Tirol

Kufstein to Pfitschertal in Südtirol

by Anya Coulthard

Snowshoe the Tirol from north to south, from Kufstein to Pfitschertal..? Yes! With some creativity.....

Our Trans-Tirol team comprised 12 fit, experienced snowshoers, led by Franz, an Austrian IFMGA Guide from whom we learned lots during our adventure.

After a relaxed lunchtime start, with kit shared out for those requiring items such as transceiver, shovel and probe, we left Kufstein station, ascending through woodland with snowshoes secured to rucksacks due to spring-like conditions: we were greeted by pockets and then mini-carpets of spring flowers, then by alpine roses growing in snow as we climbed higher on our 700m ascent. Snowshoes were donned for the final pull to the Aschenbrenner Hütte, from where we were excited to see the Wilder Kaiser range bathed in light from the setting sun, as well as where our snowshoes would take us the following day.

Day two provided a true high-level rolling environment with plenty of snow and morning sunshine to illuminate tales told by the numerous wildlife tracks. We passed the Brentenjoch and descended steeply to Reher where we met our transfer to Gasthof Wegscheid (Kurzer Grund). We gorged on coffee and cake at the Gasthof to fuel the fairytale twists and turns of the afternoon ascent to the Neue Bamberger Hütte, our cosy home for the next two nights. With snow falling all the way, the eventual sight of the hut was very welcome!

Day three was peak-bagging day -- nearly! After a tactical 'weather delay', we set out for Schafsiedel (2447m). Conditions were cool, snowy and misty with a tricky snowpack, which tested our route-choice skills and our fitness. It was a real adventure! We achieved a height of 150m beneath the summit following a period of thigh-deep snow (even on snowshoes!), which at times required us to be on all-fours to conquer small sections. The turnaround was a 'sound mountaineering decision' and, returning to the hut, we enjoyed Austrian 'doorstep' cakes for tea and most of us managed second helpings at supper too'

Day four: hooray for sunshine! We could see where we had been the previous day, and the majestic panorama from the hut. We set off for Almdorf Königsleiten. After a brilliant diversion up Schwebenkopf (2354m), we descended vast powder fields to the miniscule Markkirchl church at Salzachjoch. Here we turned south and eventually were rewarded with tea and beer in blazing sun before travelling to a traditional farmhouse above Ginzling for the night.

Approaching to top of Schwebenkopf

View from Schwebenkopf
Photos by Nigel Riley

On day five, after an adventurous transfer to the Schlegeis Reservoir, we trekked over the Pfitscherjoch to St Jakob in Pfitsch, Italy. On the ascent we walked through the Zamser gate 'to ensure success over the pass'! The exciting, steep descent required careful route choic particularly due to tricky localised snowpack. Crystal-clear views treated us all the way, and we saw no-one else until bottoming-out in the Pfitschertal.

Another hearty Tirolean meal was enjoyed by all before leaving the next morning, with most people, excited by this trip, already discussing their next adventures!

Return the top of this page, or to the complete Index, or to this section's Index.