Alta Via di Merano Casera di Fuori - Passo Gelato - Merano and surroundings

This impressive 8th stage of the northern Alta Via di Merano leads across the 2,879 m high Passo Gelato

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This 8th stage of the Alta Via di Merano starts at Casera di Fuori and runs through the beautiful Val di Fosse towards Casera di Mezzo -
Foto: BS, © Peer
From Casera di Mezzo we get gloser and closer to the high alpine panorama of the Tessa mountain group -
Foto: BS, © Peer
Casera di Mezzo, a very idyllic place -
Foto: BS, © Peer
At Casera di Mezzo, this panel informs about the cheese production -
Foto: BS, © Peer
At the Rableid alpine pasture we enjoy a nice cup of coffee -
Foto: BS, © Peer
From Rableid we hike into the heart of the Tessa mountain group -
Foto: BS, © Peer
Many “stone men” mark this section of the Alta Via di Merano -
Foto: BS, © Peer
Looking back to the Val di Fosse, with the Similaun Glacier in its background -
Foto: BS, © Peer
With the unspoiled nature and great panorama of the Tessa mountain group, this stage of the Alta Via di Merano does not leave anything to be desired -
Foto: BS, © Peer
Passing the Eishof farm (Maso Gelato) in the Val di Fosse with the Cima Bianca Grande in its background -
Foto: BS, © Peer
The Eishof farm with restaurant is also a very nice destination for a one day family hiking tour -
Foto: BS, © Peer
This sheperd and his dogs are going to bring his herd back “home” -
Foto: BS, © Peer
The trail leads through several larch woods, which turn golden in autumn. Therefore, the northern part of the Alta Via di Merano is particularly recommendable in autumn -
Foto: BS, © Peer
Hiking towards the upper end of the valley, the trail gets steeper -
Foto: BS, © Peer
With its small wooden and stony bridges, this stage of the Alta Via di Merano offers a lot of variety, leading both on broad forest roads and narrow trails -
Foto: BS, © Peer
The Cima Bianca Grande dominates the panorama while we hike towards the Rifugio Petrarca all’Altissima (Stettiner Hütte) -
Foto: BS, © Peer
Looking back to the Val di Fosse on our way to Passo Gelato (Eisjöchl) -
Foto: BS, © Peer
Before we arrive at Passo Gelato, the trail gets even steeper. However, this is no problem for hikers with some experience and a good physical condition -
Foto: BS, © Peer
Arrived at Passo Gelato (2,879 m asl), we look down to the Rifugio Petrarca all’Altissima and enjoy the breathtaking surrounding mountain panorama (the mountain hut was partly destroyed by an avalanche in 2014) -
Foto: BS, © Peer
The new Rifugio Petrarca reopened in summer 2022 -
Foto: AP, © Peer
The beautiful small lake near the mountain hut -
Foto: BS, © Peer
The Rifugio Petrarca… here ends the 8th stage of the Alta Via di Merano - (Foto August 2021)
Foto: AP, © Peer

Alta Via di Merano Casera di Fuori - Passo Gelato - offers nearby:
7 nights from 546 € per person

We start our tour at Casera di Fuori, an idyllic alpine pasture at 1,700 m a.s.l., and follow trail no. 24 (and A8) towards the upper Val di Fosse. Having passed the Rableid alpine pasture (2,004 m a.s.l.) we follow a broad hiking trail to the Eishof farm (Maso Gelato, 2,081 m a.s.l.), which lies about 2 km away. On our left we enjoy the beautiful panorama of the mountains of the Val Senales, whereas on our right there are the high peaks of the Tessa mountain group and behind us the famous Similaun Glacier (3,599 m a.s.l.).

Having passed the Eishof farm we continue our tour towards the upper Val di Fosse and enjoy the impressive view on the Altissima (3,482 m a.s.l.) at the end of it. The broad hiking path leads us through a small larch forest before it transforms itself into a narrower and steeper trail. We cross the small Val di Fosse stream several times and pass some small waterfalls, enjoying the warming sun and the silent and idyllic nature around us. Soon we reach a signpost, which leads us up on a stony trail to Passo Gelato (Eisjöchl) at 2,879 m a.s.l., while we enjoy the view of the mountains Cima Bianca Grande and Cima Bianca Piccola on our right.

The last section is rather steep and difficult. However, arrived at the highest point, we enjoy a beautiful view towards north-east. Right in front of us we see Rifugio Petrarca all'Altissima and its beautiful emerald green mountain lake, on our left the Altissima (3,481 m a.s.l.) and behind us the beautiful Val di Fosse. We walk down to the mountain hut at 2,875 m a.s.l., where we enjoy a tasty lunch.

Please note: the asphalted road leads until Casera di Fuori (parking space subject to a charge). Recommended season is from early summer until autumn (when the golden larch forests and snow-capped peaks of the surrounding mountains make this tour particularly fascinating, provided that the trails are empty of snow).

difficulty: moderate multiday route stage

Starting point:

Casera di Fuori / Vorderkaser
Time required:

04:30 h
Track length:

11,8 km
Altitude:

from 1.701 m to 2.893 m
Altitude difference:

+1212 m | -31 m
Route:

Casera di Fuori - Casera di Mezzo - Rableid alpine pasture - Eishof farm/Maso Gelato - Passo Gelato - Rifugio Petrarca
Signposts:

no. 24 (Alta Via di Merano)
Destination:

Rifugio Francesco Petrarca / Stettiner Hütte
Resting points:

Malga Mitterkaser Casera di mezzo, Malga Rableid, Maso Gelato (Eishof), Rifugio Petrarca
Recommended time of year:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Download GPX track:

Alta Via di Merano Casera di Fuori - Passo Gelato