Goldseeweg WWI Trail from Stilfser Joch

Beautiful panoramic hike on partly historical traces. The upper part of the path is marked by clear traces of the First World War. These are illustrated with display boards. The right hand accompanies the mountain range around the Ortler and the Madatsch glacier. The tour ends at the Furkelhütte, where a stop is rewarded with a fantastic view of the mountains. The public bus takes you comfortably to the Joch (sometimes not entirely unspectacular), while the car can park diagonally opposite the bus stop. The descent from the Furkelhütte is easy with a chair lift - or if you still manage it - via a hiking trail through the forest. Both end back at the parking lot or the bus stop.

In stable, sunny weather, a wonderful high-altitude trail with little incline, but due to the length and steeper, rocky descent at the end (allow time), fitness and sure-footedness are required. A path with a great panoramic view of the Ortler, Trafoier Eiswand and Madatschspitzen. The look accompanies you the whole time! It was wonderful! The path to the alpine pasture (Furkelhütte (2153 m) "pulls" a little through the "Furkelkar" and finally through the pine forest, where the gondola is waiting for us and takes us in 20 minutes to the village of Trafoi, where we take the last ( !) Bus at 4:15 p.m. back up to the Stilfser Joch and drive back down the 47 hairpin bends by car - but now without the many cyclists TIP: it is best to park your car in Trafoi and take the bus at the beginning of the tour up to the Stilfser Joch - then you save yourself 2x journey by car.We had only thought of the 47 hairpin bends that we wanted to "experience" on our own (own journey) - but it was only "annoying" when overtaking the cyclists, which really were a great performance offer up there.

The Trafoier Höhenweg is quite popular and is used by many hikers because of its easy route. It runs directly opposite the Ortler massif on the slope above the valley and offers a great panorama of the mountains. The perspective hardly changes, however, the Ortler always remains in view. There are also numerous ruins from the time of the First World War, when Austrians and Italians fought each other in the mountains. Information boards explain the historical background. The path runs without difficulties, steadily downhill in our chosen direction. A short piece of blockwork has to be crossed twice. We didn't make the ascent to the Rötelspitze today because of exposed spots; The photo in the direction of the Bernina group was there anyway 😉. We parked in the free car park in Trafoi; from there we took the bus up to the Stilfserjoch (runs every hour). The descent led over the Furkelhütte and the chairlift back to Trafoi.

Fantastic early morning hike from the Stilfserjoch to the Furkelhütte. Start in Trafoi with the bus.

Excursion / Trekking that requires a firm step, you should not suffer from vertigo. In the period July and August 2022 there is no snow and it can be walked very well with only boots. Pay attention to some exposed passages in the middle of the path of the golden lake. In Trafoi you can park comfortably near the hotels. Then continue starting the path. The start has a very steep but wide climb for about 30 Min, this to shorten the time. Continue to the Forcarola refuge where you will have a splendid view over the valley. Then go back 100 m and follow the path of the golden lake n 20 to the Garibaldi refuge. The beginning of the path is quite steep, in the middle of the path there are 4-5 exposed points and the final part is practically flat (after the golden lake). You almost totally meet people who get off. Between the Garibaldi refuge and Tibet there are several shops and restaurants. You can stay overnight at the Tibet refuge for 70/80 euros.