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recommended route
Snowshoes
· Stubai Alps
Schwarzwandscharte (Forcella della Croda Nera) + Hofmannspitze (Punta Hofmann)
Little Fish Trek
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Starting with the headlamp to avoid the great heat expected in the afternoon.Photo: Mario Briotto, Little Fish Trek
Val Passiria (Passeiertal): Schwarzwandscharte (Forcella della Croda Nera) and Hofmannspitze (Punta Hofmann) from the Alpweg Timmelsalm (Malga Tumulo).
Snowshoe hike that rises to a pass over 3000 meters always (with good snow) in "snowshoe gear".
Schwarzwandscharte is also translated as Forcella della Croda Nera because it divides Hofmannspitze (Punta Hofmann) from Schwarzwandspitze (Cima Nera di Malavalle).
To reach the summit, just over 50 meters of elevation gain remain with a short central segment of difficulty variable depending on the snow condition and arrangement.
If you start with the firm intention of reaching Punta Hofmann, it’s best to pack an ice axe and crampons – it may be a weight to carry all day useful for no more than 40 linear meters and even less (maybe 15) of elevation, but the summit view will be a more than sufficient reward to justify the extra effort.
Today two ski mountaineers (one a rescuer) passed me just before Schwarzwandscharte, and then had no hesitation in taking out crampons for the 40 meters needed.
Their dog – the beautiful "Yara" – instead... reached the summit without crampons❗😉
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The difficulty rating "WT5" applies only to the forty intermediate meters of the final ridge of Punta Hofmann in today’s conditions.
Excluding these – and with good snow – the technical difficulty might drop even to "WT3".
Author’s recommendation
Some photos are in vertical or panoramic format and do not display well in previews: switch to full view to get a more complete idea of the excursion environment.
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For a complete overview of snowshoe routes traveled and described in Western South Tyrol (Alto Adige), refer to the link → Western South Tyrol (Südtirol West) with snowshoes.
For a complete overview of snowshoe routes that exceed 3000 meters altitude in Trentino Alto Adige, refer to the link → At 3000 with snowshoes in Trentino Alto Adige.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Rest stops
Timmelsalm AlpSafety information
This snowshoe excursion – considering the development and exposures of the itinerary – requires a careful assessment of the snowpack risk level for the chosen day.
It is advisable to consider the following:
- "Memorize" the avalanche snow bulletin.
- In my opinion, it is not sufficient to check it the day before; it should be reviewed every day throughout the winter season to fully understand the snowpack evolution.
- At least one person with good experience in the group who also knows the type of ground beneath the snow to better judge local situations.
- Given that a book can never replace a course held by professionals, my favorite on snow-avalanche topics is: "NEVE Compendium of Snow Science" by Renato Cresta – Mulatero publisher.
- Excellent for techniques in risk reduction evaluation is: "AVALANCHES – How to reduce risk" by Philippe Descamps and Olivier Moret – EDIZIONI VERSANTE SUD.
- I report, from another book, a phrase that must always be remembered: "Events are often attributed to skill by chance; snow is stable 95 percent of the time, but we confuse the absence of avalanches with our ability to make good decisions".
- Snowshoes and skis are "two different worlds": do not uncritically follow previous ski tracks.
Bring all necessary equipment.
Tips and suggestions
The recommended period I indicated is February and March, but those "sufficiently fast" – with the right snow conditions – can go even earlier.
For April, like in this outing, it depends a lot on possible spring temperatures.
Roadbook
Premise
This route was traveled on April 3, 2025, and all subsequent observations and considerations can fully apply only to that day.
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Ascent to Punta Hofmann (Hofmannspitze) from the Alpweg Timmelsalm (Strada Alpicola Malga Tumulo) parking lot to the winter closure point of SS 44bis for the Timmelsjoch Pass
From the parking lot, climb to Malga Tumulo (Timmelsalm - Timmls Alm) following the groomed snow road.
Just after the alpine hut, the deviation to CAI 30 is skipped and one enters a valley that gradually turns right.
It should be well tracked because it is a common stretch for many ski mountaineering excursions.
The valley then turns left-north with a wide arc and ends above the large plain of Alpe del Tumulo.
From here today there were no more tracks in the expected direction for this excursion, while they continued on the right towards Croda della Cintola.
I crossed the large plain "by eye" looking for passages covered by much snow above the bed of various streams.
The imposing Croda Nera di Malavalle is visible immediately, with Schwarzwandscharte and the lower Punta Hofmann to its right.
The obvious, varied, and long ascent slope is accessed by a short gully entirely on the left.
The gully is "quite steep" but compatible with snowshoes, and leads to a scenic flat stretch facing the elevation indicated on the Kompass map as Hoacher Kopf.
The elevation is bypassed on the left through another longer and slightly less steep valley-gully than the previous one.
Followed by another flat stretch and a slight bend to the right that "centers the view" exactly on the target saddle.
The direction is northeast and you start higher on the left of CAI 30 coming from the Black Lake of Tumulo (Grosser Timmler Schwarzsee).
Possible lines in the various slope changes are many, and depend on the equipment used (skis or snowshoes) and the snow conditions.
Since I had to break trail, I tried to optimize it for snowshoes, with a mix of zig-zags and more direct lines on the steepest pitch.
On April 3, with almost spring temperatures, the snow was already starting to soften: the solar exposure is southwest.
Fortunately, the greater altitude of the final narrow part, combined with better protection from direct sun, allowed finding perfect snow on the very few final meters which are on about 35 degrees slope.
Shortly before this steep section, two ski mountaineers passed me and finally I was able to follow an already broken track.
From Schwarzwandscharte there is an immediate direct view of the glaciers on the other side, facing Cima Libera and the Rifugio Gino Biasi at Bicchiere.
The final stretch to Punta Hofmann today was to be considered in three short, well-distinct sections: easy start where I kept the snowshoes; short intermediate with crampons, very exposed on the right and with a large cornice on the left that prevented staying on the ridge crest; still easy finish.
Schwarzwand-Scharte (3.059 m)
Hofmannspitze
Timmelsalm Alp
Directions
You need to enter Val Passiria and continue on SS 44bis of the Timmelsjoch Pass.
Then proceed up to the winter closure point - about km 19-VI - just before the bridge over the Passirio River.
Parking
Parking lot of Alpweg Timmelsalm (Strada Alpicola Malga Tumulo) at the winter closure point of SS 44bis for the Timmelsjoch Pass.
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
"Ski Mountaineering Central-Western South Tyrol"
by Ulrich Kössler
Publisher Athesia Tappeiner
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"NEVE Compendium of Snow Science" (Formation and evolution of snow. Avalanche environment and dynamics. Prevention and rescue.)
by Renato Cresta
Mulatero publisher – SPECIALIST SERIES
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"AVALANCHES – How to reduce risk"
by Philippe Descamps and Olivier Moret
EDIZIONI VERSANTE SUD
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"KNOWING AND INTERPRETING AVALANCHE TERRAIN" (STAYING ALIVE IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN)
by Bruce Tremper
Mulatero publisher – SPECIALIST SERIES
Author’s map recommendations
Publisher TABACCO number 039 "Passeiertal - Val Passiria" scale 1:25,000
KOMPASS number 044 "Passeiertal - Val Passiria" scale 1:25,000
Book recommendations for this region:
Recommended maps for this region:
Equipment
Standard equipment for snowshoe excursions plus all safety devices required by current regulations.
Ice axe and crampons are necessary to have a good chance of safely reaching the summit of Punta Hofmann.
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions