Long-distance trail
SARNTAL ALPS
Horseshoe Tour
Südtirolalpin
IFMGA certified mountain and ski guides
South Tyrolean Mountain and Ski Guides Association
Email suedtirolalpin@gmail.com
Price from:
€700
per person for 5 or more participants
Duration:
7 days
Sarntal Alps – Horseshoe tour
A great arc through the rugged, unspoilt Sarntal Alps, right in the heart of South Tyrol.
7 days · Sarntal Alps
Sarntal Horseshoe Tour: The Horseshoe Tour takes its name from the course of the route, which traces the shape of a horseshoe as it crosses the entire mountain landscape of the rugged, unspoilt Sarntal Alps in the heart of South Tyrol.
Right at the start, the Rittner Horn is on the programme. Ludwig Purtscheller was already praising the mountain for its all-round views in the late 19th century – and it is easy to see why to this day. Later we reach the Latzfonser Kreuz, whose mountain refuge at 2,311 metres stands right next to the highest pilgrimage chapel in South Tyrol.
Finally, we cross the Steinerne Mandeln, an ancient place of witches and power dotted with countless cairns.
INFO
Services
Included in the price:
- Complete organisation and guiding by a South Tyrolean hiking guide
- All necessary reservations made in advance
Additional costs for participants:
- 6 overnight stays with half board (huts, guesthouse, hotel)
- 3 short taxi rides
- Transfer to and from the meeting point
- Expenses (hut, taxi) for the mountain guide
- Individual tips
* Rental equipment (€10 per item)
Facts
Location:
Sarntal Alps
Best time of year:
June - September
Duration:
7 days
Meeting point:
Sarnthein - car park at the sports centre
Requirements
Requirements:
- Fitness for daily stages with 1,000 m of ascent and 6 hours of walking
- Sure-footedness
PRICE
Participants:
min. 5 people
Price from
€700
per person for 5 or more participants
PROGRAMME
Day 1: To the Rittner Horn
We meet in Sarnthein at the large car park north of the sports centre. From here a taxi takes us about 10 km into the Tanzbachtal. At the hamlet of Windlahn, our 7-day circuit through the beautiful and largely unspoilt Sarntal Alps begins. We follow the trail up to the Rittner Horn, our first stage destination of the week.
Walking time: 4 h | ↑ 1,000 m | ↓ 50 m
⌂ Rittner-Horn-Haus
Day 2: To the Latzfonser Kreuz
On the second day we walk from the Rittner-Horn-Haus across the vast high plateaus of the Villanderer Alm to one of the highest pilgrimage sites in Europe, the Latzfonser Kreuz.
Walking time: 6 h | ↑ 700 m | ↓ 650 m
⌂ Latzfonser Kreuz (2,311 m)
Day 3: To the Marburger Hütte
From the Latzfonser Kreuz we pass the Ritzlar and climb to the Forcellascharte. We then follow the trail to the Tellerjoch and continue past the Jakobsspitze to the Marburger Hütte (Flaggerschartenhütte).
Walking time: 5 h | ↑ 650 m | ↓ 500 m
⌂ Marburger Hütte
Day 4: To the Penser Joch
The fourth stage takes us from the Marburger Hütte past the Hörtlaner and the Tagewaldhorn to the Astenberg and beyond it up to the Penser Joch. Here we spend the night at the Gasthof Alpenrose, having reached the northernmost point of the Horseshoe Tour.
Walking time: 4 h | ↑ 500 m | ↓ 700 m
Day 5: To Weissenbach
From day 5 we head south again on the other side of the Sarntal valley, in the western part of the Sarntal Alps. We follow the trail below the Röthenspitze and then also pass the Sarner Weisshorn. Via the Gerölljoch we reach the Oberbergalm and walk out through the Oberbergtal to Weissenbach. Here we spend a night at the Hotel Edelweiss or similar accommodation.
Walking time: 5 h | ↑ 400 m | ↓ 1,300 m
Day 6: To the Meraner Hütte
Today a taxi takes us from Weissenbach to Aberstückl, where, at the end of the road, we set off on foot again towards the Meraner Hütte. First we follow the trail to the Antranalm and on to the Missensteiner Joch. Soon afterwards we reach the Meraner Hütte.
Walking time: 4.5 h | ↑ 700 m | ↓ 300 m
⌂ Meraner Hütte
Day 7: Back to Sarnthein
On the final stage of the Horseshoe Tour through the Sarntal Alps, we go from the Meraner Hütte up to the Kreuzjoch and on to the Stoanerne Mandln – a summit that truly lives up to its name. From the Stoanerne Mandln, the last section leads us down to the Sarner Skihütte. Here a taxi picks us up and takes us back to our cars.
Walking time: 4 h | ↑ 300 m | ↓ 600 m
Any changes to the programme that may become necessary for various reasons (weather, conditions, availability of accommodation, etc.) are always made in consultation with the participants.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
How demanding is the Sarntal Horseshoe Tour?
The tour is a seven-day long-distance hike through the Sarntal Alps with a total walking time of 32.5 hours. Plan on between 4 and 6 hours a day, plus up to 1,300 metres of descent. You should bring sure-footedness and good fitness for several consecutive days.
Where do we stay overnight on the Horseshoe Tour?
Along the way we stay partly in huts and partly down in the valley. The programme includes the Rittner-Horn-Haus, the Latzfonser Kreuz, the Marburger Hütte (also known as the Flaggerschartenhütte), accommodation at the Penser Joch, a hotel in Weissenbach and the Meraner Hütte, among others.
What do I need for the tour, and can I borrow equipment?
Above all, for the Horseshoe Tour you need well broken-in mountain boots and a suitable rucksack for several days. The detailed packing list comes with your confirmation email. If you are missing anything, you can borrow equipment from Südtirolalpin for a small wear-and-tear fee.
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MOUNTAIN GUIDES FROM SOUTH TYROL
# SARNTAL # HORSESHOE TOUR # MOUNTAIN GUIDE # HIKING GUIDE