Schlüsseljoch

Schlüsseljoch (Pfitscher Tal)

The Schlüsseljoch from the Brenner Pass to the Pitscher Valley is one of the best-known transalpine pass crossings, but is also a real trail highlight as a day tour.

Description

The tour starts in Sterzing. From here, the route follows forest and meadow paths and the cycle route into the Pfitsch Valley. The route plunges deeper and deeper into the Pfitsch mountains and by the time you reach the Rieder reservoir, kitsch is guaranteed: a fabulous mountain panorama with a fantastic valley floor. A few more meters along the cycle path take you to the hamlet of Wieden. From here, a military road from the Second World War winds its way up the Vallo Alpino to 2212 meters above sea level. A fantastic ascent with an extremely rich panorama. Especially in the fall, when the air is dry and clear, you can experience a gigantic mountain backdrop. The route is all the more interesting: it's hard to believe what kind of roads were built around the Brenner Pass and in the Pfitsch mountains during the Second World War. Once you reach the Schlüsseljoch, you can look towards the Brenner border ridge and the Stubai Alps.

Now it's time for the descent to the Enzianhütte. On difficulty levels S1 to S2, you wind your way downhill to the hut. A stop here is a must, as the delicacies would be too good to pass up. Continue on the 4A trail towards Badalm and Brennerbad. A fantastic trail of difficulty S2 to S3 then leads to the highway. After that, you are briefly on cycle paths and on the former railroad line and hardly lose any meters in altitude. After Gossensaß, there are still a few usable trail cut-offs before you take the path towards the old castle of Straßberg. Here you will also find countless fragments of the Vallo Alpino, as well as bunkers, making the trail network dense and very trail-heavy. From Straßberg, you then surf the so-called tunnel trail to Sterzing, before finishing the tour in the town center with an aperitif. Conclusion: All in all, a top tour that can easily be completed in one day and combines Western Alps flair with Transalp spice and world history.

To view the detailed tour description, the topo map, the altitude profile and to download the GPX track, you need a user account on Ride-mtb.com with a subscription. Log in now or become a subscriber.