Sellrain Ski Touring Loop
A fantastic tour through the Sellrain Mountains with beautiful stops along the way
The Sellrainer Ski Circuit—with the convenient starting point at the Dortmunder Hütte in Kühtai—is a fantastic loop trail that isn’t yet too crowded. The many other beautiful mountain huts along the way make this trip a truly special experience. Another major advantage of this circuit is that you can ski directly down into the valley from any of the huts, allowing you to react immediately if the weather takes a turn for the worse.
The Stages
the Sellrain Ski Touring Circuit
Day 1
Travel to Kühtai and stay at the Dortmunder Hut (1,950 m) for a comfortable overnight stay. The next day, ascend to the Speicher Finstertal and continue over the Finstertaler Scharte to the Schartenkogel (2,855 m). Descend through the Weite Kar to the Schweinfurter Hut (2,034 m). Hiking time: 2.5–3 hours
Day 2
From the Schweinfurter Hut through the Zwieselbachtal valley to the Zwieselbachjoch (2,868 m) and up to the Breiten Grieskogel (3,287 m). Descent into the Winnebachkar to the Winnebachseehütte (2,362 m). Hiking time: 4–4.5 hours
Day 3
From the Winnebachsee Hut to the Bachfallenferner and left through the well-hidden southern Grüne Tatzenkar to the Hoher Seeblaskogel (3,235 m). Descent into the Längental valley with a short climb back up to the Westfalenhaus (2,273 m). Hiking time: 3–3.5 hours
Day 4
From the Westfalenhaus over the Winnebachjoch (2782m) to the Winnebacher Weißkogel (3182m). A short descent, then over the Roßkarscharte (3025m) to the Pforzheimer Hütte (2310m). Author’s Tip: After a short diagonal descent from the Roßkarscharte, the very steep ascent to the Gleirscher Fernerkogel (3,189 m) is also a viable option. Hiking time: 2.5–3 hours
Day 5
From the Pforzheimer Hütte through the Walfeskar to the Zwieselbacher Roßkogel (3,081 m). Descent into the Kraspestal valley to Kraspessee (2,250 m). Ascent to the Kraspesspitze (2,954 m) with a short descent into the Weite Kar. Short counter-ascent to the Finstertaler Scharte (2,777 m) and back to the Dortmunder Hütte.
Alternative route: From Kraspessee, continue downhill into the wide basin below the Obere Zwinge to the Hüttl am Stoan (2025m). Here, turn left and climb steeply up into the Steintal. Traverse the valley and, keeping slightly to the right toward the end, descend through a steep gully to the Steintalsattel (2741m). On the opposite side, descend over terraced terrain to the Finstertal reservoir and back to the Dortmunder Hut—the elevation gain is roughly the same as for the route to the Kraspesspitze. Hiking time: 4.5–5 hours
