One of the toughest 8-day glacier routes, with days of around 8 walking hours and large altitude differences. A challenging route for the more experienced participant.
a challenging glacier trip through the Ortler mountains on the border of the German-speaking South Tyrol, Lombardia and Trento in Italy. The landscape of this route is high alpine and overwhelming. Before the real work begins, we do some basic exercises. One of the highlights is crossing the Palòn de la Mare (3705 m) with a view of the Forni glacier. You cross many glaciers and the route occasionally goes over difficult terrain.
Note: this trip was previously offered by the NKBV. Due to possible changing conditions, you are always responsible for checking the current route conditions yourself. Get information from the local tourist office or from experts in the relevant region, so you can go safely and well prepared.
Author’s recommendation
Track types
Show elevation profileTips and suggestions
Huts:
Düsseldorferhütte (2721m) : www.duesseldorferhuette.com/de/willkommen.html
Schaubachhütte (2581m) : www.schaubachhuette.it
Rifugio Larcher/Cevedale (2608m) : www.rifugiocevedale.it
Rifugio Branca (2493m) : www.rifugiobranca.it
Rifugio V. Alpini (2878m) : www.rifugioquintoalpini.it
Payerhütte (3029m) : www.payerhuette.com/index.htm
Roadbook
Day 1
Meet in Sulden at hotel/guesthouse
Equipment check and discussion of the route.
Day 2
Sulden - Kanzelbahn (2350) and climb to Düsseldorferhütte (2721m). Via Otto-Erich-Steig over the normal route up Tschengelser Hochwand (3370) and back to Düsseldorferhütte (2721m)
Walking time: 7h,
Altitude difference: +1030m, -660m
Day 3
Düsseldorferhütte – via Reinstadler route up Großer Angelus (3530m) and back. By cable car to Sulden and back up to Schaubachhütte (2581m)
Walking time: 7½h
Altitude difference: +850m up, -1220m
Day 4
Schaubachhütte - Janingerscharte (3200m) - Suldenspitze (3376m) - Rifugio Casati (3254m) - Tre Cannoni (3276m) - Zufallferner - Furkelscharte (3032m) – Rifugio Larcher/Cevedale (2608m)
Walking time: 7-9h,
Altitude difference: +1090m, -1060m
Day 5
Rifugio Larcher/Cevedale - Col de la Mare (3442m) - Palon de la Mare (3703m) - Rifugio Branca (2493m)
Walking time: 8h,
Altitude difference: +1100m, -1200m
Day 6
Day trip from Rifugio Branca – Monte Viòz (3644m); or to Punta San Mateo (3678m)
Walking time: 8h,
Altitude difference: max ±1185m
Day 7
Rifugio Branca - Rifugio Pizzini (2706m) - Vedretta del Gran Zebrù - Col Palle Rosse (3380m) – Passo della Miniera (3353m) - Cima della Miniera (3405m) - Rifugio V. Alpini (2878m)
Walking time: 7h,
Altitude difference: +1145m, -770m
Day 8
Rifugio V Alpini – Ortlerpass (3353m) - Eiskögel (3530m) - Nashorferner – Berglhütte (2188m) – Payerhütte (3029m)
Walking time: 10-11 hours,
Altitude difference: +1500 m, -1380 m
Day 9
Payerhütte – Tabarettahütte - K2 Hütte (2330m) - cable car to Sulden
Walking time: 2½h,
Altitude difference: +5m, -755m
Kanzellift
Düsseldorfer Hütte (Rif. Serristori)
Hoher Angelus
Schaubachhütte (Rif. Città di Milano)
Suldenspitze (3.376 m)
Rifugio Casati al Cevedale
Punta San Matteo 3678m
Rifugio Cesare Branca (Brancahütte)
Rifugio Pizzini-Frattola
Rifugio Quinto Alpini
Unterer Ortlerferner
Berglhütte (Rif. Borletti)
Julius Payer Hütte (Rif. Julius Payer)
Tabarettahütte (Rif. Tabaretta)
Public transport
Sulden is less well/badly accessible by public transport; train to Bolzano; then busDirections
Utrecht, Karlsruhe, Ulm, Fernpass, Imst, Reschenpass, direction Stelvio, Sulden.Parking
Parking is available at the lifts.Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Guides
Alpenvereinsführer Vinschgau-Ortler Gruppe # 950 Bergverlag Rudolf Rother
Author’s map recommendations
Recommended maps for this region:
Localization

User Questions
Unanswered