Lodnerferner

Overview

There are quite a few routes up the Lodner, but from a technical point of view, the Lodnerferner route is the easiest. It's not a really long route, but quite varied, starting with a hike, first on a trail, then off, over some scree and the icy remains of a dying glacier, and then a short scramble on steep rocky slabs. All that leads to the edge of the big summit plateau, with great views all around. Crossing it takes just a few minutes of easy walking to the summit itself, on the other side of the plateau.

The crux of the route is a short scramble, UIAA grade II, on somewhat slippery marble. Just below is some scree, but higher up it's just some loose rocks between the slabs. But even the slabs themselves are sometimes loose.


The Lodnerferner was the route for the first recorded ascent, by V. Hecht and J. Pinggerais in 1872. However, the conditions were totally different then. Ferner is a local word for glacier, and the Lodnerferner was a crevassed one back then and it went all the way up. The marble would not have been exposed yet.

Getting There

The best starting point for the route is the Lodnerhütte (2259m), southwest of the mountain, located in the Zieltal valley. The easiest way to get there is from the south, by the trail coming up the Zieltal valley.

South of the Texel Group lies the Vinschgau valley, which can easily be reached by car and public transport (see the main page). The nearest villages are Rabland and Partschins. Located just over 500 and 600m respectively, it's a big ascent all the way up to the Lodnerhütte from there. It's possible to shave a couple of hundred meters off the ascent by driving up part way up the mountain road into the Zieltal. There is parking space at Birkenwald (980m).

The road continues, but I don't know how far up it is open to the general public and whether you you can find a parking spot higher up.

An easier alternative is to start in the valley with the Texelbahn cable car to the Giggelberg at 1544m. Follow the well maintained trail nr 24 in northerly direction, leading to the Nassereithhütte (1523m). This is a short section of the Meraner Höhenweg, a popular long distance trail. With ups and downs, winding through the pretty forested slopes, it takes less than an hour to get to the Zieltal, where you'll find the previously mentioned Nassereithhütte. This is a fine place for refreshments.

At this point leave the Meraner Höhenweg and continue in a generally northern direction, heading up the now very scenic Zieltal. This is trail nr 8, and a very clear one. It's still well maintained, but a bit rougher than the one before. From the Texelbahn summit station it takes 3 to 4 hours to hike to the Lodnerhütte, from Birkenwald 4 to 5.

Two other possible starting points for the route are the Stettiner Hütte (2875m) and Eishof Pfossental (2069m). In both cases the approach will be longer (see below), but not prohibitively so.

The Stettiner Hutte lies very close to the Eisjöchl (2895m), the saddle between the Pfossental to the west, and the Pfelderer valley to the northeast. From Pfelders (1628m), one of the last villages in the Pfelderer valley, it's about a 4 hour walk along a different section of the Meraner Höhenweg, up the Pfelderer valley. At the head of the valley you pass the Lazinser Alm (1858m), with food and beverages. The last time I was in the area, I had a break because the weather didn't look very good. Otherwise it's rather early for a break, as it's rather close to Pfelders - you probably haven't even walked an hour yet.

The Lodnerhütte can also be reached from Pfelders, by various routes. The shortest and easiest one is the trail over the Halsljoch pass (2808m). The route start by going up the Pfeldererer valley, as for the Stettiner Hütte. But not far past the Lazinser Alm at the head of the valley is a junction, with the left branch (trail nr 40) leading to the Halsljoch. That saddle will be the highest point of the day. If you have enough energy left, you can do a short side trip to the Lazinser Rötelspitze (3037m), directly next to the saddle. But before you do that, know that, from the Halsljoch, it's still about an hour and a half to get to the Lodnerhütte. Without detour, this route takes about 5 to 6 hours. Climbing the Lazinser Rötelspitze adds about an hour and a half to that. If you feel up for it, a fine alternative to get from Pfelders to the Lodnerhütte would be to traverse Tschigat - there are several route variations, but it's always a long way, and the easiest route still involves scrambling at UIAA grade II.

Getting to Eishof Pfossental means an easy hike along a dirt road from the parking lot at Vorderkaser (1670m). Count on 1.5 hours. You can also continue hiking up the Pfossental to the Stettiner Hütte, 2.5 hours from Eishof or 4 hours from Vorderkaser. Or turn south in the Pfossental at around 2500 m or so, go over the Johannesschartl (2854m) and down the Zieltal to the Lodnerhütte.

Interactive Map

The map not only shows all the hiking trails in the area, but also several relatively easy scrambling routes.

Initially, the map is centered on the Lodnerhütte.

At the top, in the center, where all the trails meet, is the Stettiner Hütte.

Eishof Pfossental is in the top left corner.

Route Description

From the Lodnerhütte

Head north, along trail nr 8 up the Zieltal valley, in the direction of the Johannesschartl and the Stettiner Hütte. The trail heads up on the west side of the valley, well above the stream at the bottom. After a while the valley gets wider and the trail comes closer to the water.

Almost an hour from the hut, at 2600 or so, it's time to leave the trail to the Johannesschartl and turn east instead. At this point, the Lodner is in full view, and, more importantly, so is the shoulder (±3100m) just north of it.

Now that the Lodnerferner, the glacier higher up, is reduced to a small ice field, you can take any route up to that shoulder. You'll probably see traces made by others before you, but I advise to look at the terrain and go where it looks easiest. If there is snow and it's not too soft, that may be better than going up the scree.

The exact route to this saddle doesn't matter much now, just find the easiest way to go. Your goal will be to get to the shoulder just right of the saddle.

Don't forget to look around while you climb, for the views get better and better as you get higher.






A bit higher, a huge cairn marks the route (46.7392°N / 11.0303°E).

Closer to the saddle, it gets steeper. High up, you'll get on what's left of the Lodnerferner. If there is bare ice, you'll need crampons.

The permanent ice doesn't extend above the saddle anymore. The route turns right, up the north ridge. More precisely, it starts up the north ridge, which isn't very pronounced even at the beginning and then just fades away. You're now on the upper north face of the mountain.

Without snow, this consists of scree and slippery marble slabs, some of which are loose. Higher up it gets slightly steeper, to about 40°, and there is much less scree. This is the crux of the route, with climbing up to UIAA grade II. Falling is not an option, but the cracks in and around the slabs offer plenty of holds. In addition, big metal rods are drilled into the rocks at regular intervals. They can be used to belay or rappel from.

If there is good, firm snow on this part of the route, it becomes easier, as it provides more traction than the smooth slabs. It also makes it safer, for the snow keeps the loose rocks in place. But it's still steep, and falling is still not a good idea.

From the edge of the summit plateau you can see the summit cross on the other side. It's an easy walk to get there.

Count on 3 to 3.5 hours for the ascent from the Lodnerhütte when the route is in good shape. On the descent, once you're back down on the saddle you can pick up the pace.

From the Stettiner Hütte

Head west, over the Eisjöchl, and then turn left towards the Johannesschartl (2854m) at the next trail junction (trail nr 8). After descending on the south side to where it is flatter, turn east towards the Lodnerferner. See above for the rest.

This adds 1.5 to 2 hours to the route from the Lodnerhütte if the Johannesschartl is in decent shape. Snow on and around the saddle may cost more time, or worse should you slip.

From Eishof Pfossental

Head east, up the Pfossental. Somewhere above 2500m or so, turn right towards the Johannesschartl (2854m) on trail 25a. You can choose to turn at the sign posted trail junction, or turn earlier make your own way off trail towards the saddle. The advantage is that you can avoid the short downhill section after the trail junction.
See above for the rest.

This adds about 3 hours to the normal route from the Lodnerhütte if the Johannesschartl is in decent shape.

When to Go

The route is easier with firm snow on it. Safer too, for snow keeps the loose rocks on the crux in place. Together that makes late spring, early summer the best period. The Lodnerhütte opens early summer, and the warden keeps himself informed about the conditions.

If the conditions are right - good snow and low avalanche risk - this route could be descended on skis. However, the Lodner and Stettiner Hütte are closed in winter (but both have a winter room), and with lots of snow it will be harder to get to the base of the Lodnerferner.

Essential Gear

• Crampons and ice axe (in case you need to stop a fall).
  
• Helmet if there is rockfall danger, especially when there isn't enough snow to cover the scree high up and when you are not alone.
  
• Rope, harness and a few carabiners if you don't feel comfortable soloing UIAA grade II.
  

External Links

Lodner on Seilschaft.it   Good descriptions (in German) of both the Lodnerferner route and the WNW ridge.

Images

View Lodnerferner Image Gallery - 12 Images