Hiking (mountain trail, in places narrow and exposed)
Alpine route (equipped or very exposed section, snow field, blocks)
R22
Wolayersee Hütte » Hochweißsteinhaus
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4h45 |
14.4 km
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690 m
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789 m
Via Alpina takes the hiker on the Italian side of the ridge from the Wolayersee hut to the Hochweißsteinhaus lodge. It crosses the border at the Giramondo pass. Over alpine meadowland and sparse mountain woods, walk along the sloping ridge without any great changes in altitude until reaching the Hochweißsteinhaus lodge.
Just after the Wolyersee Hut, follow the signs down along the track. This shortens the roadway coming up from Birnbaun and Nostra. Soon, you will reach the road again, which must be followed until reaching the Obere Wolyeralm meadow. Here, leave the roadway for the last time and cross the beautiful, flat valley floor in a north-westerly direction. Next comes an easy climb over the boulder-strewn slopes and a marvellous view soon opens out over the Mooskofel massif and the Hohe Warte. Later, the trail swings to the left and climbs up to the Giramondo Pass through a verdant valley (approx. 1h 30min). From here, Via Alpina now leads up to the Öfner Joch pass on Italian territory. The trail heads to the Kreuzenjoch pass and then crosses the slopes coming down from the Lahnerjoch pass. Here too, you will repeatedly come across dilapidated wartime buildings that remind you of its sad history. Climb down to a stream and you will soon reach the Alpe Sissanis di sotto meadow and just a little later the Alpe Sissanis di sopra meadow (approx. 1h from the Giramondo Pass). On an almost even trail, continue onward to the Alpe Fleons di sotto. This brings you to a roadway that leads up from Forni Avoltri, which must be followed upward until reaching the Alpe Fleons di sopra. Next, numerous hairpin bends take you further uphill to the Öfner Joch pass at 2,011m (approx. 2h from the Alpe Sissanis di sopra). A wonderful view over the Raudenspitze peak, the Edigon, the Steinwand and the Biegenberge mountains can be enjoyed from the pass. Monte Avanza and Monte Ciadenis rise up to the South. The magnificent Hochweißstein towers over the Hochalpljoch pass. The Öfner Joch pass is only a stone’s throw away from the Hochweißsteinhaus lodge. (Christina Schwann, OeAV)
Natural and cultural heritage
In the spring of 1915, Italian troops held the ascent routes to the Hochweißstein under occupation. Owing to their high ground, they were able to observe the Austrian-Hungarian positions. Nevertheless, on the night of 11.6.1915 two Austrian-Hungarian patrols dared to tackle the wall of the Hochweißstein from the north. One of the two teams attracted the attention of the Italians and came under fire. Only one single man survived the attack. Meanwhile, however, the second group was able to continue climbing unnoticed and gain a position on the rock face over the Italians. As it was no longer possible from this location to see into the positions of the enemy, a lance corporal lowered himself down with a rope and pelted the outpost below with hand grenades until the latter was forced to surrender under the tenacious attack from above. Fleeing Italians were shot by the Austrian-Hungarian soldiers remaining on the vantage point, and so it was a long time before the Italian commando got news of the fight. This made the ascent of the mountain possible again for the Austrians. From then on, the summit was constantly occupied by an officer and 20 soldiers. But the Italians managed to discover that the troop only had rifles and hand grenades and no heavy weapons. Sensing their chance, they decided to regain the Hochweißstein with a small group in a night attack. On 7.8.1915, they scaled the sheer rock faces under the protection of darkness and – although the Austrians had been warned – were able to start a surprise attack. Fortunately for the Austrians, the telephone was working for once, so it was possible to ask for reinforcements. The reinforcements arrived at the summit just in time and helped to ward off the attacking Italians. After these events, the numbers occupying the summit were doubled, the bunkers and positions strengthened and in the area of the main position, a radio station was set up. Owing to the isolated location of the Hochweißstein, the reception here was exceptionally good. The exposure of the high-altitude position, on the other hand, also presented a greater risk of being struck by lightning. In June 1916 alone, six men suffered serious injury due to lightning. Later, a Faraday shield was built in the area of the radio station and two long lightning conductors were laid to the foot of the mountain. This did admittedly improve matters, but often the sentry posts nevertheless had to withdraw in major storms, as guns and other metal parts attracted the lightning. (Christina Schwann, OeAV)
Other long-distance trails and alternative routes
South alpine long-distance hiking trail 03, KGW Carinthian border trail. Geo-trail and peace trail. Pilgrimage trail/Sentiero della Fede von Maria Luggau - Forni Avoltri; Alternatives: from Öfner Joch/Giogo Veranis Via ferrata to Raudenspitze/M. Fleons 2,507m; Hochalpljoch/P.d.Oregone Via ferrata die Guerra auf den M. Chiadenis 2.490m, Via ferrata E.Sartor to the Hochweißstein/M. Peralba 2,694m.
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.
Julien Trieste Monaco - 2022-08-15
This section is mostly on the Italian side and was kind of a resting walk. No more steep ascent, really easy going trail. Forgot the feeling to struggle for a while. And it was also very scenic.
Hochweisstein haus is a really nice hut. Very friendly staff, very good food reasonably priced.
Oliver - 2022-07-19
If you consider skipping the Hochweisssteinhaus or going the alternate following stage, I suggest you cross over to the Italian side for an easy transition into the parallel trail (via del malga/almweg). To do so, follow the well maintained path to Refugio Calvi. The fork is a few meters after the last Alm building on the ascend to Hochweisssteinhaus. Follow the trail in SW direction until you hit the pass. The Refugio is right behind it. I highly recommend it, very kind hosts and a splendid view (also has paid shower) For Alpine Club members a bed with no food is 14.50. You can also descend further to Refugio sorgenti di Piave but call ahead. This is a highly frequented area as it can be reached by car.
Carsten - 2022-01-10
On final ascent just before Hochweisssteinhaus continue on trail/abandoned road past dilapidated Alm to signpost, then take the switchback to reach the pass. GPS waymarks (and painted marks on rocks) end in impenetrably overgrown and very steep bushes that could formerly have contained a trail.
POPEYE GG - 2018-06-13
27 juin 2017
Aujourd'hui, temps pas beau, orage dès 10h30 au Giramondopass.
Heureusement, abri possible en aval dans une cabane de berger.
Automatic translation
[Google]
June 27, 2017 Today, not good weather, storm from 10:30 to Giramondopass. Fortunately, possible shelter downstream in a shepherd's hut.
demonte christian - 2017-12-27
pouvez vous me dire où acheter les cartes? 1/50000 kompass est ce ok, merci
Automatic translation
[Google]
can you tell me where to buy the cards? 1/50000 kompass is this ok, thanks
En quittant Wolayersee, dans l'alpage en-dessous, possibilité d'acheter du fromage. Pendant le passage en Italie les casatera ne vendent pas de fromage (elles semblent en produire).
1/2 pension à Hochweissteinhutte. Refuge complet. Population peut-être peu habituée à la vie en refuge: comportements assez irrespectueux (bruit et lumière assez tard, chants assez tardifs). Repas cher et peu copieux.
J'ai vu des tentes autour du refuge le lendemain, c'est peut être une solution.
Automatic translation
[Google]
Trieste-Monaco on 07/15/14 Leaving Wolayersee in the pasture below, possibility to buy cheese. During the passage in Italy casatera do not sell cheese (they seem to occur). 1/2 board Hochweissteinhutte. Full Refuge. Population perhaps unaccustomed to life in refuge rather disrespectful behavior (noise and light quite late, late enough songs). Expensive and frugal meal. I saw the tents around the shelter the next day, it might be a solution.
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4h45 |
14.4 km
|
690 m
|
789 m
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.