Place:
Venediger Mountains
:
2.8 km
:
Suitable for
mountain hikingHigh-altitude hikesRock climbingMountain bike
Summits as far as the eye can see! This is one of the best meadow-traversing, ridge-walking, view-granting hikes along the Venediger High Trail, bringing you close to prominent peaks such as the Hoher Eicham, Großer and Kleiner Hexenkopf, Säulkopf and Rauhkopf. Sure, the terrain is rugged. And yes, the trail has some steep ups and downs. But the tread is good, the vertical suffering short-lived and the scenery gorgeous. Culminating on a ridge named "Eselsrücken", literally, "donkey's back", the hike gives a panoramic payoff of jagged peaks and emerald ridges that will leave you grasping for your camera. From the ridge it is just a short walk down to the Bonn-Matreier-Hütte Hut, a beautiful shingle-clad shelter that is your base for the night.
This moderately difficult tour on red mountain paths requires surefootedness, concentration and a head for heights. From moderate rocky ridges to challenging climbs where stone steps and steel cables ensure safety. Good fitness required.
trail description: From Eissee Hut, descend a few metres to get to the signpost of the Venediger High Trail, heading left to the eastern slopes of Timmeltal Valley. The traverse of Hexenkopf Peak’s southwest ridge follows an easy contour; then you will tackle the west ridge of Hoher Eicham Peak. After a pleasant and almost level first section, get down to business. Climbing steeply, the trail furiously works its way up the west flank of Wunwand, assisted by stone steps and a fixed anchoring system of cables. The trail switchbacks up, traversing a tussock slope on its one-kilometre way to Wunwand’s southwest ridge. In this area, a trail branches off to Wallhornalm Alpine Pasture Hut in Timmeltal Valley; the High Trail, however, continues along a tussock slope south of Wunwand and rounds a minor spur of Wunspitze’s south ridge. Another 30-minute climb takes you to a niche; slightly above the trail divides, running left to Obere Wunalm and right to Untere Wunalm. The route of the Venediger High Trail runs high above Virgental Valley. The way eases, then climbs again, this time to mount the ridge of Eselsrücken, which is the gateway to Großes Niltal Valley. A sharp little gully has to be descended in 15 switchbacks, below which you go down to a boulder field, crossing rivulets of Nilkees Glacier. From here, the trail reveals Bonn-Matreier-Hut that is your destination. A well-maintained trail, beautifully crafted with stone steps, brings you to this stately shingle-clad shelter that is renowned for serving hearty specialties, which are perfect to gather new strength after the efforts of the day.
