Laaser Orgelspitze

Summer time is hiking time. Into the beautiful Martelltal, the valley of the three-thousanders. The starting point is the high-altitude mountain inn Stallwies. We follow the signposts towards the Laaser Spitze. Next to the old water mill, path no. 5 leads upwards through light larch forests. Attention: After about 15 minutes you reach a junction that is easy to miss. Here the rule is: keep left and do not continue right. The mountain forest slowly recedes, and we now climb steadily up an increasingly steep slope. Even though we are in a barren area here, we repeatedly find water troughs with fresh spring water. The ascent is very sweaty on hot days because the area faces south. This is also the reason why no glacier is left on this ascent.

Wonderful view of the mountain world

The summit cross beckons from afar and once at the top you have a wonderful view of the most beautiful mountains of the Vinschgau, such as the peaks of the Ortler group and behind them the glaciers of the Ötztal Alps.

One rightly wonders how much longer these will still exist. The descent continues; we take path no. 5a into the Schludertal. This route is not often used because there is no open alpine farm here and the descent is quite steep. But it is exactly this peace we seek and will not be disappointed. Apart from the alpine cattle, nobody can be seen far and wide. If lucky, you can spot a bearded vulture circling in the air. Path no. 5a joins path no. 34. Above the Schluderalm you reach the scenic Marteller Höhenweg (path no. 8) directly back to the Stallwieshof guesthouse. A stop here is not to be missed, as the kitchen offers many homemade dishes. Here we reward ourselves with a delicious cake and make up for the lost calories. Conclusion: The route requires sure-footedness and good fitness but is very rewarding.