aufstieg schwarzensteinhuette vor ankunft
aufstieg schwarzensteinhuette vor ankunft

Hike to the Rif. als Sasso Nero

This tour takes us from the Aurina Valley up to the Rif. Sasso Nero refuge and the 3,021 m high Forcella di Rio Torbo saddle in the Zillertal Alps

This mountain tour takes us up to the glacier fields, where the watershed between the Adriatic and the Black Sea is located, but also the border between the Northern and Southern Alps, between Italy and Austria. Thereby we pass the 3,000-metre mark and visit the new Rif. al Sasso Nero hut (Schwarzensteinhütte).

The best starting point for the hike is the car park below the Stallila mountain inn on the slope above San Giovanni in the Aurina Valley. On beautiful high summer days, the parking space fills up quickly - which is another reason why an early start is recommended. First we hike along trail no. 23 to the Daimerhütte hut, where the actual mountain tour starts: The trail winds its way up through high pastures and soon only stony terrain. From about 2,500 m a.s.l., rocks prevail. We turn left, over boulders into the middle of the valley basin, and continue through slippery snow fields to the rocks on the right side of the valley. We make good progress on the steep wall - stone steps, a ladder and fixed ropes help us to master the short via ferrata without any problems.

Once this section is done, we are already at the site of the old Rif. al Sasso Nero hut, and it is still less than 100 metres in altitude that run in serpentines through the stony landscape up to the modern new building. The hut, built in 2018, is located on a hilltop at the edge of the Rio Torbo Glacier and is the highest refuge in the Zillertal Alps. Supplied with electricity from solar energy and processed meltwater from the glacier, the emphasis here is set on sustainability. After our stop for refreshments, we hike a little further to the Forcella di Rio Torbo saddle at the watershed, which lies between Mt. Sasso Nero and the Cima di Floite West. We then return to the starting point along the same route.

Experienced mountain hikers who are used to the thinner air at 3,000 m should have no difficulties with this tour. Surefootedness, a head for heights and sturdy shoes are necessary. Pay attention to the weather conditions!

Author: AT

difficulty: difficult
  • Starting point:
    Parking area “Stallila”, Rotbachtal valley, San Giovanni in Valle Aurina
  • Time required:
    07:00 h
  • Track length:
    22,2 km
  • Altitude:
    from 1.451 m to 3.022 m
  • Altitude difference:
    +1574 m | -1574 m
  • Signposts:
    no. 23a, 23
  • Destination:
    Trippachsattel
  • Resting points:
    Daimer Alm, Schwarzenstein Hütte mountain hut
  • Recommended time of year:
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Download GPX track:
    Hike to the Rif. als Sasso Nero

If you want to do this hike, we suggest you to check the weather and trail conditions in advance and on site before setting out.

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