From Parcines Waterfall to the Cima Fiammante Hut

Our destination today is the Cima Fiammante Mountain Hut (Lodnerhütte) in the untouched Tel Valley (Valle di Tel, Zieltal): it will be a challenging hike, but certainly rewarding. We choose to start from the Wasserfall restaurant at 1063 m above Parcines, about 8 km from Merano, which from mid-April to the end of October is reached by the convenient bus line 265 (Texel Cable Car - Parcines - Waterfall). For those who prefer to use their own car, we recommend parking lower down, just past the Birkenwald Inn, and hiking up to the restaurant in 20-30 minutes on trail 8B, which passes right in front of the Parcines waterfall.

Before setting off, a short detour is a must to admire the 97-meter-high Parcines waterfall up close. From the panoramic balcony overlooking the waterfall, you can enjoy a breathtaking view that motivates us for the climb ahead.

From the old hydroelectric power station behind the restaurant, the so-called Fletscher Stiege ("Flötscher farm stairway") marked 8B immediately climbs steeply through the forest, with its numerous stone steps. After about 1.5 hours of walking, having gained about 450 m in elevation, we reach the Nasereit Hut, at the foot of the climb into the upper Tel Valley.

We continue to venture into the romantic Tel Valley. The entire landscape is shaped by the power of water, which accompanies us everywhere: in the form of waterfalls, springs, and gurgling streams, but also three welcome drinking-water fountains.

After another 2.5 hours of walking on sometimes steep sections and passing by the characteristic Gingglalm and Zielalm mountain pastures (the latter offering refreshments), we finally reach our destination: the Cima Fiammante Mountain Hut, perched on a hillock surrounded by greenery at 2,259 m altitude. Near the hut stands its chapel, built in 1933 by "Wirt's Toni" Anton Raffeiner, the manager at the time, now remembered by a plaque. The breathtaking panorama and a well-deserved refreshing break at the hut quickly revive us from any fatigue, before setting off to retrace our steps.

At the end of the hike, we will have walked for 7 hours, covered 14 km, and overcome an elevation gain of 1,200 meters, but these cold numbers don't tell of the beauty of the landscape, trails, and alpine pastures of the Tel Valley, this gem of the Gruppo di Tessa Nature Park. It's an experience you have to live in person!

Autore: PG, Peer.tv