Hochweißsteinhaus - Monte Peralba

Warning: Please inquire about the current trail and weather conditions before every route!

Requirement: The ascent of Monte Peralba is only recommended for experienced mountaineers. Difficulty level I+, absolute surefootedness and freedom from dizziness required. Good mountain boots necessary. Carrying drinking water is recommended. You can already see Mt. Peralba or Hochweißstein from the access road to Hochweißsteinhaus, but it disappears from hikers' view shortly before the hut. Standing in front of Hochweißsteinhaus, you see to the north Zwölfer peak, the Torkar and Weißstein peaks, as well as Hochalpl. The red-white-red marked trail to the summit passes through the Hochalpljoch, located between the latter two. At the hut, take the path leading slightly to the left. Be careful not to take the lower trail, which leads to Luggauer Thörl. Now you hike over alpine meadows, repeatedly crossing small streams and springs, upwards in the direction of the Italian border. In short switchbacks, you climb a steep grassy slope, which anyone who conquered it in the scorching summer heat will remember for a long time. Use the ascent also to admire the splendid, especially rich alpine flora at this point. And surely, at the latest here, you will hear the first marmots whistle. With a bit of luck, you might also spot them. If you look into the Lesach Valley, you see St. Lorenzen and above it the Lienz Dolomites. The narrow path continues and where you can last see the Hochweißsteinhaus, Mt. Peralba appears in full size. One might think it is just set on Hochalpl. In a few minutes, you reach the border. The path continues slightly to the left, then after about 50 m branches to the right. On the left slope of Hochalpl is a dilapidated barracks from the Mussolini era, which was also occupied during the South Tyrol crisis (late 1960s), to climb this mountain. Now another short series of switchbacks must be overcome before reaching the actual start. You climb over tiered rock terrain, also a stretch over rough scree must be overcome, and you should not miss looking at the surrounding mountains, e.g. Mt. Chiadenis with its three holes in the summit, which served as shelters for Austrian soldiers in World War I. Along the way, you will also repeatedly encounter remains of the war.

You climb through a chimney onto the summit ridge, where the entire magnificent mountain world of the Carnic Alps, the Lienz Dolomites, and the Hohe Tauern unfolds before you. In a few minutes, you are at the summit, but before that, you will probably notice a wartime position with two tablets honoring the fallen. Perhaps take a moment to consider that our great-grandfathers fought here for Austria for years, summer and winter. At the summit, the beautiful white marble Madonna, a cross and a bell greet you, which perhaps loudly proclaims that today Austrians and Italians sit united on the summit. The control stamp is located near the marble Madonna at the summit of Monte Peralba in a metal box.

Walking time Hochweißsteinhaus - Monte Peralba and back: approx. 5 hours