Contact
Landshuter Hütte-Kraxentrager (2.999)
****
Being out and about in particularly remote places is often a borderline experience. This applies to the Landshut Europahütte not only figuratively, but also literally: the hut is also called Rifugio Venna alla Gerla, and the border to South Tyrol runs right through the middle of the guest area.
Start at Lake Brennersee, through the untouched Venn Valley to the Vennalm, then a steep climb to the Landshuter Hütte (2,700 m). Continue along stony paths to the summit of the Kraxentrager, which rewards you with a magnificent view of the Zillertal Alps and the Tuxer Hauptkamm. After a rest at the summit, descend to the Landshuter Hütte for a well-earned break.
The trail leads from Brennersee into the untouched, lonely Venn Valley, past the old farmsteads to the Vennalm. This is where the path begins, which now winds through spruce forests on the right side of the valley up to the Hochleger of the alpine pasture. The trail continues through alpine meadows and small hilltops to the Landshuter Hütte, which is almost 2700 m high and is enthroned on the Friedrichshöhe. On reaching the Landshuter Hütte, the previously species-rich vegetation gives way more and more to a stone desert, which radiates a very special charm with its wild beauty. Also the cross of the Kraxentrager becomes visible for the first time, accessible by a last short ascent along the ridge. Since Kraxentrager is the westernmost peak of the Tuxer main ridge, the mountaineer can expect a magnificent panoramic view, including the striking Hochfeiler group and the Zillertal Alps, but also the glaciers and peaks of the Stubaier and Ötztal Alps.
After enjoying the impressive summit panorama, you can take a break at the Landshuter Hütte for refreshment and relaxation after a short descent. Maybe you will be surprised by the one or the other story from the senior hut keeper Helmut.
DIRECTIONS
From the car park, first follow the forest path no. 75 into the Val Venosta, always in an easterly direction. The snack station in the Val Venosta valley and the two old farms are passed and a little later one reaches a gate and alpine pasture buildings, here the path with nr. 531 starts on the right side of the valley. This path first leads through dense spruce forest, later more and more through bushes in serpentines up to the alpine pasture's elevator, which starts above the tree line. Shortly before reaching the alpine pastures, two smaller streams and a water outlet, the so-called Antonienquellen, must be crossed. The water of the Antonienquellen is extremely cold and refreshing and therefore always worth a "taster". The route then continues over smaller hilltops up the alpine pastures, finally reaching the height of the Wildsee between two stony ridges. The Landshuter Hütte is also visible for the first time. After about half an hour's ascent through a small valley, this one is also reached, and if you feel like it, you can stop for a short break. The summit of the Kraxentrager is not far away, only about 300 hm remain to be mastered. There is a well developed path, now with the number 3A, following the ridge and leading quite purposefully to the summit. Halfway up, behind a small head, there is an assured, somewhat exposed passage to pass. The cross of the summit itself stands on a rather fragile-looking rock formation, and also on the Vals side, the terrain drops off sharply in the form of steep rock faces.
TIP OF THE AUTHOR
For those interested in history, the tour has a lot to offer. The area around the Landshuter Hütte, which itself lies exactly on the border between Italy and Austria, is rich in fascinating stories about old smugglers and customs officers.
Landshuter Hütte-Kraxentrager (2.999)
****
