Hike from Lake Neves to the Ponte di Ghiaccio Hut

In the water-rich Valle Selva dei Molini lie Lake Neves and the Ponte di Ghiaccio Hut on the Neves High Route

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Having arrived at the car park by Lake Neves, we see the Neves Mountain Hut on the opposite shore, which serves hot meals in summer.
Foto: E & L, © Peer
The surrounding peaks of the Zillertal Alps are reflected in the lake’s water, which is still in the shade this wonderful August morning.
Foto: E & L, © Peer
A panoramic view of the Neves Glacier and the Gran Mèsule (Grosser Möseler, in German), the second-highest mountain in the Zillertal Alps.
Foto: E & L, © Peer
The Neves Mountain Hut is reached in about half an hour: It is open from mid-May to mid-October and also produces mountain cheese.
Foto: E & L, © Peer
The Zillertal Alps with the Gran Mèsule, 3,478 metres high, and the Cima di Campo, 50 metres lower: It stands right on the national border.
Foto: E & L, © Peer
The first section of path no. 26 winds through the forest: It is a pleasant and relatively wide forest track that leads us uphill.
Foto: E & L, © Peer
As soon as we leave the forest behind, the alpine pastures of the Valle di Selva dei Molini lie before us - they create a feeling of summer freshness.
Foto: E & L, © Peer
The peaks of the Zillertal Alps form the backdrop for our August hike: In a few weeks, the first snow can already fall at these altitudes.
Foto: E & L, © Peer
The green valley slopes repeatedly reveal views of the snow-covered peaks - we are reaching higher altitudes, above 2,000 metres.
Foto: E & L, © Peer
Cows graze here: They are brought up to the high pastures in early summer and return in autumn - the cattle drive is celebrated with a festival.
Foto: E & L, © Peer
The path climbs slowly but steadily: In total, we ascend 685 metres in altitude from Lake Neves to the Rifugio Ponte di Ghiaccio (Edelrauthütte).
Foto: E & L, © Peer
A look back shows us the path we have already covered: It takes us about two hours to reach the mountain hut - the descent will be quicker.
Foto: E & L, © Peer
The final stage up to the Rifugio Ponte di Ghiaccio hut becomes steeper and more strenuous: We hike through a rocky alpine landscape.
Foto: E & L, © Peer
In the distance, we finally see it ahead of us: Rifugio Ponte di Ghiaccio, perched at an altitude of 2,545 metres on the Neves High Route.
Foto: E & L, © Peer
Since 1908, the hut at the Passo Ponte di Ghiaccio has withstood the rough nature of the Zillertal Alps: The new building was opened in 2015.
Foto: E & L, © Peer
Below the refuge, Lake Ponte di Ghiaccio unfolds: The Ponte di Ghiaccio Pass and the lake are also accessible from Fundres in the Val Pusteria.
Foto: E & L, © Peer
The sun terrace of the Ponte di Ghiaccio Hut is an inviting place to relax: Strudel and cakes are freshly available every day during the summer.
Foto: E & L, © Peer
Afterwards, we return along the same path to Lake Neves (Neves Stausee, or Lago di Neves), whose beautiful colours we can see from a distance.
Foto: E & L, © Peer
We never tire of admiring the majesty of the peaks of the Zillertal Alps: They also accompany us on the descent from the Ponte di Ghiaccio Hut.
Foto: E & L, © Peer
A few more metres of descent and we reach Lake Neves again: Before the reservoir was built, this area was a flat alpine pasture.
Foto: E & L, © Peer
The arch dam of Lake Neves was built from 1960 to 1964: The road from Lappago to the reservoir is a toll road and is single-lane in parts.
Foto: E & L, © Peer
To get back to our car, we decide to walk around the lake and let the day come to a gentle close.
Foto: E & L, © Peer
And here we are again: at the starting point of our hike, with a view of the reservoir and an approaching summer thunderstorm.
Foto: E & L, © Peer

Our summer hike in the Valle di Tures takes us this time into the Valle Selva dei Molini, a side valley known for its abundance of water and related themed trails. From the hamlet of Lappago, the toll road winds its way up to Lake Neves. The mountain lake is surrounded by the rocky giants of the Zillertal Alps, with a beautiful alpine landscape stretching all around. From the car park at an altitude of 1,860 metres, we look out over the lake and can see the Neves Hut on the opposite shore, along with the valley that leads up to the Rifugio Ponte di Ghiaccio (Edelrauthütte).

We set off and soon come to a fork where trail no. 26 leads left over a bridge. It takes us directly to the Neves Hut, which is known for its cheese. The view extends to Mt. Cima di Campo and Mt. Gran Mèsule: At 3,478 metres, this peak is the second-highest mountain in the Zillertal Alps and was first climbed in 1865. After the hut, a forest road leads us into the woods. Once we leave the trees behind, the alpine meadows open up. The signs consistently point towards "Edelrauthütte".

The ascent takes about two hours. The path is not overly steep, and we sometimes encounter a few cows grazing in the alpine meadows. The final section then becomes steeper and more strenuous, and we start to work up a sweat. But then we see it ahead of us: the Rifugio Ponte di Ghiaccio at an altitude of 2,545 metres. It is managed from June to October and has been defying the harsh elements since 1908. The new building was opened in 2015.

We take a look at Lake Ponte di Ghiaccio below and then stop for a break: On the sun terrace, you can enjoy speck and cheese from farms in Fundres and Lappago, as well as dishes made from old South Tyrolean recipes. Afterwards, we head back to Lake Neves along the same path.

Authors: Elena & Luca

Experienced in: August 2020
Last updated: 2025

circular route difficulty: moderate alpine hut route

Starting point:

Lake Neves, last car park at the lake (1,860 m a.s.l.)
Overall time:

03:40 h
Total route length:

9,3 km
Altitude:

from 1.860 m to 2.545 m
Altitude difference (uphill | downhill):

+685 m | -685 m
Signposts:

24, 26
Destination:

Ponte di Ghiaccio Mountain Hut (2,545 m a.s.l.)
Resting points:

Untermaurer Hut, Neves Hut, Ponte di Ghiaccio Hut
Recommended time of year:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Download GPX track:

Hike from Lake Neves to the Ponte di Ghiaccio Hut
More information:

Be aware of possible snowfall in autumn! The overall time shown above refers to the walking time only, not including breaks or stops at mountain huts.