Hike at the foot of the Catinaccio

Autumnal mountain hike on the western hillside of Mt. Catinaccio: from the Fronza alle Coronelle Mountain Hut via the Hirzel Path to the Paolina and Masaré Huts and back on the Pearl Path

Map See map
video : Catinaccio - Latemar
At the Frommeralm the Laurin chairlift (since 2020 replaced by a modern gondola lift) up to the Rifugio Fronza alle Coronelle starts.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The Rifugio Fronza alle Coronelle is located at 2,340 m asl., on the rocks of the Catinaccio.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Above the clouds - high fog in the valley, only the Latemar looks out from under.
Foto: AT, © Peer
We follow the Hirzelsteig path towards south.
Foto: AT, © Peer
In autumn the sun comes quite late to the Rifugio Fronza alle Coronelle.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The Hirzelsteig path mostly is a well constructed path, comfortable to walk.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The sunrays warm up the rocks and us.
Foto: AT, © Peer
For a while we walk directly below the rock faces.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The Hirzelsteig path leads lightly downwards, the timberline is reached.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Clouds of fog coming up from the valley.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The path to the Rif. Paolina leads past these spectacular formations of the Catinaccio.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Arrival at the Rif. Paolina, also mountain station of the chairlift down to the village of Carezza (Karersee).
Foto: AT, © Peer
Coming and going - the clouds of fog at the Catinaccio.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Downwards to the Rif. Masaré.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The Rif. Masaré is a sunny location, protected from the wind and ideal to have our lunch break.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Across meadows down to the Perlenweg path.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The Perlenweg path is a wide forest road, it proceeds along the hillside towards north.
Foto: AT, © Peer
First meadows then forest.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Autumnal atmosphere at the foot of the Catinaccio.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Past the guest house Jolanda the path leads us back to the Frommeralm.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The Perlenweg path towards the Nigerpass.
Foto: AT, © Peer

Due to the high fog above the South Tyrolean valleys we decide to do this mountain hike to enjoy the sun. At the Frommer Mountain Hut (Frommer Alm) we take the Laurin cable car up to the Fronza alle Coronelle Mountain Hut (2,336 m a.s.l.) at the western side of the Catinaccio Group.

A gorgeous panoramic view waits for us, the Latemar rises out of the high fog and let us believe to hover over the clouds. We follow the Hirzel Path (marker no. 549, later 552) towards south to the Paolina Mountain Hut. From there the path leads downhill to the Masaré Hut, where we take our lunch break before we walk further down to the crossroads with the Pearl Path (Perlenweg).

This we follow towards north - it leads us straight back to the Frommer Mountain Hut through the forest. The Laurin cable car to the Fronza alle Coronelle Mountain Hut is in operation until mid-October. It is also possible to hike from the Frommer Mountain Hut via the path no. 15 up to the Fronza alle Coronelle Hut. In this case the mountain hike becomes more difficult, 600 m in altitude and a longer walking time of approx. 90 minutes are to manage.

Author: AT

circular route difficulty: easy with lifts

Starting point:

Frommer Mountain Hut, King Laurin cable car
Time required:

03:00 h
Track length:

9,8 km
Altitude:

from 1.720 m to 2.343 m
Altitude difference:

+85 m | -674 m
Route:

Laurin Lounge - Sentiero del Masaré - Rif. Paolina - Masaré - Jolanda - Malga Frommer
Signposts:

549, 552, 6A, 1A, "Hirzelsteig", "Perlenweg"
Resting points:

Rif. Paolina, Masaré, Jolanda
Recommended time of year:

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

Hike at the foot of the Catinaccio