Verpeil loop over the Kaunergrat

Day 1: In sight of the Riffelsee cable car valley station, the ascent to the Riffelsee hut begins to the west. The Hirschtalsteig climbs steeply in switchbacks to a fork in the path. You follow the Panoramasteig to the left and reach the Riffelsee hut, 2293 meters, after about two hours.

At the Riffelsee, the entry to the Cottbuser Höhenweg takes place. On sections partly secured with cables, the route leads around Brandkogel, 2676 meters, and Steinkogel, 2632 meters. Shortly thereafter, the Cottbuser Höhenweg turns westward. After a total of 6½ hours, hikers arrive at the Kaunergrathütte, 2817 meters, and the day's destination.

Day 2: The next morning, continue on beautiful alpine trails via the Verpeilhütte. Initially, the path leads over the Steinbockjoch, 2960 meters, and the ridge „Auf dem Sassen“, 2720 meters, then descends through the Mittelbergle to the turquoise shining Mittelberglessee, 2446 meters. Along the way, hikers are offered magnificent views of the Geigenkamm, the Kaunergrat giants, and the Wildspitze.

At the fork at the east end of the lake, the trail initially goes through blockwork northwestward up to „s' Türele“, 2675 meters. Then it passes the Seebachferner and under the Verpeilspitze until after about two hours from Mittelberglessee, the key point of the second day, the Verpeiljoch, 2825 meters, is crossed. The path leads down into the Verpeil valley and to the Verpeilhütte, 2025 meters, through a gully secured with steps and cables.

Day 3: The third day stage begins with a steep ascent, first over alpine meadows, later over rocky terrain, passing the northwest face of Schwabenkopf as well as the peaks of Moos- and Madatschkopf. After about 2½ hours, the distinctive Verpeilturm and the three towering Madatschtürme are reached. Past the Madatschferner, the secured trail climbs through a steep gully to the Aperen Madatschjoch, 3030 meters. The descent to the Kaunergrathütte is almost continuously secured with cables, steps, and ladders. It leads down in just under an hour to a uniquely beautiful high mountain arena at the Kaunergrathütte. After a stopover, follow an easy path for two hours to Plangeroß/Pitztal and along the Pitze in another nearly 30 minutes to the Riffelseeseilbahn parking lot in Mandarfen.