Seiser Alm

Santner Pass Via Ferrata

Difficult

The Santner Pass via ferrata is beautifully designed and secured with a combination of steel cables, iron hooks, and ladders. As the route passes through narrow gorges and small canyons, the ice gorge is considered the most challenging section. This is a gully where persistent snow can still be present even in August. It is recommended to tackle this section on the ascent, as descending it can be risky due to the slippery conditions. Once you have successfully completed the via ferrata and reached the Santner Pass hut, the path continues through the Gartlhütte, Vajolettal, and finally over the Tschagerjoch back to the Kölner Hütte.

 

Take the Bozen Nord motorway exit and follow the Rosengartenstraße to the Frommer Alm via Welschnofen and the Karer Pass.

From the Frommeralm parking lot, a chairlift takes you directly to the Kölner Hütte. The entry point to the Santner via ferrata is located behind the hut at an altitude of 2339 m and can be reached by easy climbing sections below the Baumannkamm. The via ferrata itself begins with a longer section secured by a steel cable, leading up to a ladder. After the ladder, a simple climbing section leads downhill. In spring, there may be an ice channel to overcome. The subsequent section requires absolute sure-footedness, as it is an unsafely secured rocky path. Upon arriving at the Santner Pass hut at an altitude of 2734 m, there is a breathtaking view of St. Zyprian and the Rosengartenspitze.

There are two options for the descent: either take the same route back to the Kölner Hütte or make a Rosengarten circumnavigation. The route no. 542 leads downwards to the Gartl Hütte, further to the Vajolet Hütte and finally to the Preuss Hütte at an altitude of 2243 m. From there, route no. 541 leads to the Tschagerjoch. The path is long and stony with a slight incline. Eventually, you will reach a junction and then go up route no. 550 to the Tschagerjoch. After a steep descent over rocky terrain, you will reach the Kölner Hütte. From here, you can either descend by chairlift or on foot via the forest road.