Tours

Mauthen is also an ideal starting point for ski tours of all categories in winter. Almost all the mountains that you visit as a hiker in summer are waiting to be skied in winter. The prerequisite for this is, of course, safe snow conditions, which offer wonderful deep snow descents in high winter and unforgettable snow fun in spring.

Polinik (2,331 m) from the Plöckenhaus

From the Plöckenhaus (trail 403) take the forest road into the Angerbach valley past the Grünsee lake and turn left soon after the bridge (trail 430). Over the ground to the edge of the forest. In serpentines up the wide ditch to the forest path, cross it and continue over the steep ditch to the Untere Spielbodenalm. Continue in an easterly direction over the next ditch across the forest boundary to the Obere Spielbodenalm. From there, ascend northwards into a cauldron. Now keep left onto the wide saddle and over the flank towards the summit. The last section is steep. Descent over the wide slopes to the forest road and via this back to the starting point (1,020 m, 3 hours).

Collinstiefel (2,150 m)

From the Plöckenpass on the Italian side via the Cellon-Sommersteig in a westerly direction up to the upper Colinetta Alm, an extensive basin below the east face of the Collin. Cross this basin to the southwest to the far end and continue via the wide gully to the left of the Collins. You reach a wide tongue of alpine pasture that stretches up to the steep south face of the Collins. Following this to the very top, you reach the so-called Collinstiefel. The descent follows the ascent route over the wide flank and the gully, continuing over the alpine pastures back to the Plöckenpass (850 m ascent, 2 hours).

Hochwipfel (2,195 m) from Rattendorf

This easy ski tour impresses with its varied terrain and largely unrestricted views.

From the Heldenfriedhof cemetery, south of Rattendorf, take the goods road in the direction of Rattendorfer-Riegelalm. From the gate of the alpine pasture at an altitude of 1,160 m, follow the continuous snow cover across the Riegelalm. In a westerly direction past the Alm. During the ascent, you have a wonderful view of the entire Upper Gailtal to your right and the snow-covered Rattendorfer Alm to your left. Before you reach the Hochwipfel (2,195 m), you have to conquer several pre-summits. One of these is the Windschaufel (2,095 m). This is where the tour usually ends (1,560 m ascent, 4 hours). Descent like ascent.

Rauchkofel (2,460 m)

Scenically magnificent ski tour in open, not too steep terrain in the face of the highest and wildest Carnic peaks.

Ascent towards Plöckenpass, up to the Valentinalm turn-off at 1,050 m altitude, parking is possible at the barrier. The ascent first follows a forest road, after the bridge turn left along the summer path and the toboggan run up to the Untere Valentinalm at 1,200 m altitude. From there, continue along the summer path, shortening the hairpin bends of the forest path, until shortly before the point where the road crosses the Valentinbach stream. Now follow the summer markings to the right, always to the right of the stream to the Obere Valentinalm. In open terrain westwards up into the valley between Hoher Warte and Rauchkofel to Valentintörl, 2,138 m. From the Törl head north through a steep gully to the magnificent south-facing slope and over this to the summit. Descent like ascent to the Obere Valentinalm. From here, keep slightly to the right, first over beautiful, open slopes and then along the forest road back to the starting point (approx. 1,410 m, 4 hours).

Wodnertörl (2,059 m)

Wonderful, not too long tour in a fantastic landscape.

Approach and ascent to the Obere Valentinalm as described for the Rauchkofel. From the Obere Valentinalm in open terrain westwards into the valley up to an altitude of approx. 1,650m. Now head northwest and reach the Wodnertörl at 2,059 m via very beautiful slopes.

Descent like ascent to the Obere Valentinalm. From here, keep slightly to the right, first over beautiful, open slopes and then along the forest road back to the starting point (approx. 1,000 m ascent, 2 to 3 hours).

Kellerscharte (2,522 m)

Wonderful tour over a beautiful cirque, framed by the rock faces of the Kellerspitzen and the Kellerwarte. The starting point is reached via the Plöcken Pass to the junction of the forest road into Val Grande at 1,107 m – 8 hairpin bends from the top of the pass.

From the starting point, follow the forest road briefly until the summer trail to the Collina Alm branches off to the right. At 1,300 m you reach the forest path again and shortly afterwards open terrain. Now head west up into the valley (past the Val. Collina Alm, on the right) until you reach the turn-off into the narrow valley (at approx. 1,400 m). Head in a north-westerly direction, ascending between rocks until you reach the so-called cellar. From there, the route is impressive, between steeply sloping rocks, quite flat up to the rear cellar at 2,400 m. Depending on the snow conditions and your own ability, the ski depot is set up on the last, very steep upswing and usually climbed with crampons up to the Kellerscharte (1,415 m, 4 to 5 hours).

Descent as ascent, from 1,300 m altitude via the forest road back to the starting point. A ski descent from the Scharte is probably only reserved for very good skiers in the best conditions.

Grüne Schneid (2,086m)

Short but very racy ski tour in an impressive landscape. Drive up to the Plöckenpass, parking spaces are located on the Italian side.

The ascent is from the top of the pass via an old alpine road to the Val di Sotto alpine huts to the south at an altitude of 1,379 m. From here across alpine meadows to the west and briefly uphill through sparse larch forest to Collinetta di Sopra at approx. 1,600 m. From here, increasingly steep south-facing slopes lead up to the summit of the Grüne Schneid (750 m, 2 to 3 hours). Descent like ascent.

Elferspitz (2,251 m)

Rarely climbed summit with a very beautiful south-west flank. It is unjustly overshadowed by Polinik and offers a wonderful descent in good conditions. Approach via the Plöckenpass road to the Plöckenhaus at 1,200 m.

From Plöckenhaus (trail 403) via the forest road into Angerbachtal. Pass the Grünsee lake and turn left soon after the bridge (path 430). Over the ground to the edge of the forest. In serpentines up the wide ditch to the forest path, cross it and continue over the steep ditch to the Untere Spielbodenalm. Continue in an easterly direction over the next ditch across the forest boundary to the Obere Spielbodenalm. Variant: From the valley floor via the mostly groomed forest road, which is also marked as a marked ski route. From the Obere Spielbodenalm head north towards Spielbodentörl. At an altitude of approx. 1,920 m, keeping to the right (north-east), you reach the beautiful south-west flank and over it to the summit of the Elferspitz (1,050 m, 3 to 4 hours).

Descent over the wide slopes to the forest road and via this to the starting point.

Hohe Warte (2,780 m)

A very varied tour to the highest peak in the Carnic Alps. Approach as for the tour to Kellerscharte.

From the starting point, follow the forest road briefly until the summer trail to the Collina Alm branches off to the right. At 1,300 m you reach the forest path again and shortly afterwards open terrain, via which you reach the Casera Val di Collina (1,445 m). Along the path you pass the Casera Plotta, 1,760 m. Now continue in a north-westerly direction to the flat ground below the Rifugio Marinelli. and climb more steeply again to Forcella Monumenz, 2,300 m. With a slight loss of altitude, you cross into the cirque that leads to the Hohe Warte. Now always uphill in the cirque to the very steep south flank and to the summit (challenging) or eastwards up the gully and without skis along the ridge to the summit (1,800 m, 5 to 7 hours).

The descent is the same as the ascent, with the summit flank reserved for experts only.

What makes ski touring in Kötschach-Mauthen so special

… Be honest, what do you dream of when you go on a tour? Sure, good snow – nice weather …. logical. But mostly you’re looking for one thing: peace and quiet and becoming one with nature. Am I right? Well – and that’s what makes ski touring here so unique. We are not a crowded HOTSPOT but a SECRET TIP…. and if you play along then it stays that way … although – word-to-mouth is always best and with our countless possibilities there are enough variants for everyone….