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Snowshoes
· Biosfera Val Müstair
Serraglio and Munt Buffalora from Buffalora (Val Monastero - Val Müstair)
Little Fish Trek
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First steps with the first sun just a few meters from the parking lot next to the Restaurant Buffalora.Photo: Mario Briotto, Little Fish Trek
Val Monastero - Val Müstair: from the Buffalora area, snowshoe ascent to the Serraglio ridge and to the summit of Munt Buffalora.
Snowshoe hike in the "very snowshoe-friendly" area of the Val Müstair Biosphere, with ascent to two not difficult "table-like" summits with various summit and sub-summit points.
You cannot reach the Serraglio summit in snowshoe condition, and in winter it is not at all easy even in "climbing mode": however, the secondary summit at the farthest advance on the ridge is almost the same height and the view is unquestionable.
The last passable stretch of this ridge runs right on the Switzerland-Italy border, with a view of the eastern branch of Lake Livigno and possible cornices on the Italy side.
Instead, the various summits of Munt Buffalora are all easily reachable with snowshoes.
In my opinion, this is the type of terrain that with good visibility like today is very intuitive for nice relaxing days having kilometers and elevation in the legs – however with fog I believe it is very easy to get disoriented: therefore it should be planned only with secure weather.
Author’s recommendation
Some photos are in panoramic format and do not display well in previews: switch to full format view for a more complete idea of the excursion environment.
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For a complete overview of snowshoe hikes traveled and described in Western South Tyrol (Alto Adige), refer to the link → Western South Tyrol (Südtirol West) with snowshoes.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Show elevation profileRest stops
Buffalora mountains guesthouseSafety information
This snowshoe hike on the snow – considering the development and exposures of the route – requires careful evaluation of the snowpack risk level for the chosen day.
It is advisable to consider the following:
- "Memorize" the avalanche and snow bulletin.
- In my opinion, looking at it the day before is not enough; you should check it every day throughout the winter season to fully understand the evolution of the snowpack.
- At least one experienced person in the group who also knows the type of ground beneath the snow to better judge local situations.
- Granted that a book can never replace a course held by professionals, my favorite on snow-avalanche topics is: "SNOW Compendium of Snow Science" by Renato Cresta – Mulatero publisher.
- Excellent, for risk reduction assessment techniques, is: "AVALANCHES – How to Reduce Risk" by Philippe Descamps and Olivier Moret – VERSANTE SUD EDITIONS.
- I report from another book a phrase that should always be remembered: "Events are often attributed to skill; 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 follow blindly previous skier tracks.
Carry all necessary equipment.
Tips and suggestions
The actual elevation gain of this version of the hike is about 1,280 meters but – considering the many ups and downs with no mandatory path – it will be a bit different each time.
Roadbook
Premise
This route was traveled on March 6, 2022, and all subsequent observations and considerations can fully apply only to that day.
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From one of the possible parking lots in the Buffalora area, you need to climb the gentle open slope towards the Alp Buffalora pasture, with a building that in Italy would be defined as a "malga" (mountain hut).
To climb this slope, you must immediately cross a marked hollow (a real ditch) which is not problematic with good snow cover like today.
There will definitely be heavily tracked paths, some in the form of a narrow trail created with small snow grooming machines.
From the "malga" of Alp Buffalora, continue on a wide path through sparse woods, and finally exit into open terrain just below the fork between the possible routes of Serraglio and Munt Buffalora.
To go towards Serraglio, I saw a couple of main directions: the westernmost passes right under the east side of Munt Buffalora and, since it was the logical route for the return connection, on the way there I followed the other.
Without any problem among flat areas and easy changes of slope, you reach the north side of the big "spine" of Serraglio, and climb up the ridge heading east-west on slightly steeper slopes but with continuous hollows that help progression.
Then on the ridge, you encounter various cairns, some very large, and shortly – straddling the border between Switzerland and Italy – you reach the secondary summit where the ridge becomes a crest not passable with snowshoes.
Photo session, snack (since there is another climb afterwards), and then back down with the usual variations to look for virgin snow lines.
The return to the base of the ascent to Munt Buffalora passes through a very flat area, after which I cut a little on other tracks without actually reaching the base of the normal route.
Arriving on the north-east slope of the mountain, you always climb on a wide, medium slope, and reach a summit drop that is bypassed on the slopes to the right in the direction of ascent.
Here only the last meters are a little steep, but as with Serraglio, there is space for "turns that ease" the climb.
Thus you reach the cairn of the sub-peak, and if you feel like it, you can briefly continue to touch the other summit points.
Erzbergwerk Buffalora
Munt Buffalora
Munt Buffalora
Jufplaun
Buffalora P10
Parkplatz Buffalora Nr. 2
Parkplatz Buffalora Nr. 1
Directions
From Italy, enter Val Monastero and then continue beyond Passo del Forno or Pass dal Fuorn, up to the Buffalora area, or slightly before if you choose another parking spot.
Parking
Parking next to the Restaurant Buffalora; other possible parking spots on the road coming from the Passo del Forno or Pass dal Fuorn.
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
"Ski mountaineering in the three borders area – Alto Adige, Grisons, Tyrol"
by Ulrich Kössler
SPORTLER PUBLISHER
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"Südtirol West – Vinschgau, Ultental, Passeiertal, Sarntal – Snowshoe guide"
by Evamaria Wecker
Rother Bergverlag
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"SNOW 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
VERSANTE SUD EDITIONS
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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
National Map of Switzerland 1:25,000
Sheet 1239 "Sta. Maria" (Pass dal Fuorn/Ofenpass – Val Müstair – Pass Umbrail)
Book recommendations for this region:
Equipment
Standard equipment for snowshoe excursions plus all safety devices required by the current Swiss regulations.
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions