Snowshoeing in Villnöss
Group tour from a hotel
A wonderful week of activities in the snow. This week we are staying in a nice hotel in the Villnösstal. There are no ski lifts in this valley (except for a drag lift for the local youth) and the valley is completely focused on hiking. And on snowshoeing in the winter. From the hotel we take a nice walk in the snow every day. We often drive a (short) distance by car first or take the bus.
We walk on so-called 'winter hiking trails'. These are paths where you can walk without any aids. But we also look for the unpaved paths and then we need our snowshoes. For example, we walk along the Adolf Munkelweg under the Geislerspitzen. And we take a trip from Val Gardena over the Raschötz chain back to Villnöss.
This week we take a snowshoe tour every day. Which tour it will be depends on the weather, the snow conditions, but also on the wishes of the participants. The first day will be all about safety and learning to walk on snowshoes. We will learn more about the avalanche danger and how to use an avalanche transceiver.
- Startdate
22 february 2025
- Price
€ 1.100
based on double room
- Number of days
7
- Max number of participants
6
- Condition/difficulty level
Easy
- Overnight stays
Hotel with half board
- Starting point
St. Peter (Villnösstal)
- Endpoint
St. Peter (Villnösstal)
Your guide is...
The tour leader and hiking guide for this hiking trip is Dick van der Reijden. As a South Tyrolean Wanderleiter he knows the Dolomites like no other.
| Starting date | End date | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| 22 February 2025 | 28 February 2025 | 6 out of 6 |
Description
Almost everyone knows Val Gardena, the Sellaronda and often also the Drei Zinnen. The Villnösstal is much less known, partly because there are no large hotels. And no ski lifts either. The Villnösstal is mainly known by real hikers. And the valley is extremely suitable for making beautiful snowshoe tours. Especially for less experienced snow hikers.
Of course we will make beautiful tours on our snowshoes this week. But we also pay attention to safety in the snow. You will receive an explanation about avalanches and the avalanche report. During the walk we will show you what to look out for and we practice with our avalanche transceivers. Because safety comes first! For that reason we only make tours where we do not run the risk of avalanches.
To be able to participate in this trip, you need your own snowshoes. And also an avalanche set (3-unit) consisting of an avalanche transceiver, a probe and a snow shovel. You can rent this from the larger outdoor chains, but we also have a limited number of sets for rent. When you make your request, you can indicate whether you would like to rent snowshoes and/or an avalanche set from us.
From day to day
Day 1 - St. Peter (Villnöss)
Today we arrive at our hotel in St. Peter, a small village in the Villnösstal. During dinner we get to know each other and discuss what the coming week looks like.
Day 2 - Practicing at the Zanseralm
Today is all about safety in the snow. We start the day with an explanation about avalanches and also discuss the avalanche report. Then we drive to the Zanseralm where we take a short walk to the Gampenalm. On the way you will receive an explanation about the use of the avalanche beacon and we will actually practice with the avalanche beacons. After lunch in the Gampenalm we walk back to the Zanseralm at a leisurely pace.
The total walking time is approximately 3 hours during which we cover 440 meters in altitude. We need about an hour for the exercises.
Day 3 - Brogleshütte and the Geisleralm
Today it's time for a real mountain tour in the snow. We start down in the valley at Ranui and walk up to the Brogleshütte. At first we can probably still walk on our mountain boots, but further on we have to put on our snowshoes. After the Brogleshütte we walk over the Adolf Munkelweg to the Geisleralm where we can have a nice lunch. With a fantastic view of the Geislerspitzen!
Today we cover more than 11 km and 670 meters in altitude. In total we are walking for 4 hours (without breaks).
Day 4 - from Russis Kreuz to Würzjoch
Today we first drive by car towards the Würzjoch to the parking lot at the Russis Kreuz. From the parking lot we walk (partly on the closed road) to the Halslhütte. After a cup of coffee or a glass of Apfelschorle we walk on to the Würzjoch. We have lunch in the Ütia de Börz (Würzjochhütte) which is located just below the Peitlerkofel. After lunch we walk to the north face of the Peitlerkofel and then walk back to the car.
The total walking time today is approximately 4:30 hours for 14.5 km and almost 500 meters of altitude.
Day 5 - to the top of the Zendleserkofel
Today is a great day! And literally, because we are going to the top of the Zendleserkofel. But first we take the bus or the car to the Zanseralm. From the Zanseralm we walk towards the Kaserillalm and then we leave the path and walk up until we reach the bend on the Zendleserkofel. After a photo of the summit we walk quietly down to the Schlüterhütte. It is closed in the winter, but there is enough space to eat our own lunch and enjoy the view. After lunch we continue down, via the Gampenalm back to the parking lot.
Not that far in kilometers (about 10 km), but 750 meters in altitude. In total we walk for about 4:30 hours.
Day 6 - Val Gardena and Brogleshütte
Today is a long day! First we take the 'Wanderbus' to St. Ulrich (Ortisei) in Val Gardena. There we take the Standseilbahn up the Raschötz. Via the Raschötzhütte and the Gipfelkreuz of the Ausser Raschötz we walk over the plateau and the (wide) ridge to the Brogleshütte. Once there, we can go straight down or via the Geisleralm. A bit longer, but it is open, so we can still eat and drink something here.
Today we walk for over 4 hours (and half an hour longer if we walk via the Geisleralm). We will then have walked 13.5 km and 250 meters in altitude. Up, because we also have to descend over 1,000 meters.
Day 7 - Back home
It's all over! Today we'll have breakfast together and after breakfast we'll leave the hotel. Those who are interested might take a short walk before they return to the Netherlands.
Difficulty level
This hiking trip has a difficulty level of 'easy'. In concrete terms, this means that you must be able to hike for up to 5 hours with a maximum of 700 meters of elevation. A reasonable level of fitness is nice for this hiking trip. An extensive description of the difficulty levels can be found on our website.
Accomodation
We sleep in double rooms in a simple 3-star hotel in Villnöss. If you want a single room, please let us know. We will then inform you whether that is still possible and what the additional price is. We have half board, so breakfast and dinner are included in the tour price. Lunch and drinks that we consume on the way and in the evening are not included.
Although we also come across a hut on the way (almost) every day, it is wise to take a few bars with you. Especially in winter it is nice to have some extra energy in your (day) backpack.
Included
Excluded
Material
We are walking in the snow and that places considerable demands on the equipment you need. Indispensable are good walking boots and of course snowshoes, a good backpack that sits comfortably on your back, warm clothing and good rain gear. We have placed a complete packing list for this walking trip on our website. Well before the start of the trip we will send you additional information including a packing list.
Please note: it is mandatory to wear an avalanche transceiver and to have a probe and snow shovel with you when snowshoeing. You can rent this avalanche set at various outdoor sports shops. We also have a limited number of avalanche transceivers and snowshoes for rent. Please contact us in time for this. Also if you have any questions about this.
The costs for renting equipment are:
- Snowshoes including poles: € 35 for a whole week
- Avalanche set consisting of avalanche transceiver, probe and snow shovel: € 70 for a whole week
Insurance
Of course, something can always happen, which ultimately makes it impossible to go. And then you want to be able to cancel the hiking trip. You can read the consequences of this in our travel conditions. We advise you to take out additional cancellation insurance. In addition, something can also happen during the trip. And certainly in the mountains, (medical) assistance can be quite expensive. For this reason, we require you to take out travel insurance that also covers mountain sports. This is possible, for example, with the NKBV, which offers a very good price/quality. The NKBV also offers cancellation insurance.
Walking tour with guarantee
This offer is covered by the STO Garant guarantee. You can find the conditions of this guarantee scheme on the STO Garant website.
