Summit happiness on the Hochvernagtspitze

From Rofen, we follow the road to the valley station of the material cable car that leads to the Vernagthütte. After a short, flatter section, the slope quickly becomes steeper and we follow the summer ascent in a few hairpin bends up to the Platteiberg, a slightly steeper plateau. High above the Rofenschlucht gorge, we now cross the plateau in a south-westerly direction until we reach the entrance to the Vernagtschlucht gorge. At over 2,500 metres, we now follow the steep southern slopes above the Vernagt Gorge in the direction of the Vernagt Hut. As we cross the gorge, the terrain becomes gentler again and we reach Kote 2,595 metres. Now briefly heading south, the final ascent to the refuge (2,755 m; 800 metres of ascent, walking time: 3 hours) takes place over a pleasantly steep ridge.

If you still have enough time on this day, there are still some beautiful tour destinations in the vicinity of the refuge (e.g.: Guslarspitzen, Fluchtkogel, etc.).

From the Vernagthütte in a north-westerly direction on the lateral moraine to its end. Here you usually ski a few metres with your skins down to the glacier floor in order to reach the glacier comfortably. We now ascend flat in a slightly westerly direction up to the rocks worn away by the glacier, where there is also a climate station. We bypass this and then ascend between two rock ribs to reach the somewhat steeper glacier descending to the north-west. After a good 100 metres in altitude, the terrain becomes noticeably gentler again and leads in a northerly direction to the foot of the summit structure. Climb a good 30 metres in altitude either on skis or on foot. You have now reached the easier winter summit. If you want to climb the main summit, follow the ridge in an easterly direction until you reach a notch. The main summit (3,530 m) can now be reached via a short descent and ascent. The notch is often problematic as it can be heavily overgrown.

Descent option: If you don't want to ski down the ascent line, you can also ski down in a direct south-easterly line over the somewhat steeper glacier. From there, continue in an easterly direction up to an altitude of approx. 3,000 metres. Here we then turn southwards and reach the glacier tongue of the Vernagtferner, which is pleasantly steep. If we stay at the Vernagthütte for a few more days, we cross a little higher up to reach the refuge without any problems; otherwise, follow the former glacier basin downhill. Passing the gauging station, we soon reach the crossing above the Vernagt Gorge again. Here follows a short ascent to the plateau of the Plattei mountain (the ascent can be made either on skis or on foot). From the Platteiberg, the route is briefly flat in a north-easterly direction until the terrain becomes steeper. Over the beautiful and consistently steep slopes down to the valley station of the material cable car. Take the track back to Rofen.