Stage 17

Breslauer Hütte (2844 m) – Restaurant Tiefenbach (2789 m) – Rettenbachjoch (2990 m) – Braunschweiger Hütte (2758 m)

Information:
Route:	steep path, footpath
Requirements:	surefootedness, good head for heights, good physical condition, high alpine experience; black mountain trail
Difficulties:	glacier sections, crevasses on Rettenbachferner; no trail signs; guide recommended
Equipment:	standard hiking equipment, crampons and icepick depending on snow conditions; rope required on the glacier
Walking time:	approx. 7 1/2 hrs.
Changes in elevation:	approx. 650 meters climbing, 750 meters descending
Highest point:	3056 m
Distance:	approx. 15 km
Lodging, refreshment stops:	Breslauer Hütte, Braunschweiger Hütte, Restaurant Tiefenbach
Access/Exit points:	from the top terminal of Wildspitze chairlift (Vent) to Breslauer Hütte (approx. 1 ½ hrs. up and 1 ¼ hrs. down); from the base terminal of Rettenbachferner via Rettenbachjoch or Pitztaler Jöchl to Braunschweiger Hütte (1 ¾ hrs. up and 1 ½ hrs. down) Buses between Tiefenbachferner and Rettenbachferner: call +43/(0)57200/200

Through Glaciers Above Vent

The hike from Breslauer Hütte via Vent to Braunschweiger Hütte at the end of Pitztal is a truly long one. Leaving Breslauer Hütte the trail drops steeply and levels out in the foothills of Rofenkar. A bit further down take the new high elevation trail to your left which later joins the old scenic trail between Vent and Tiefenbachferner. The path descends for a short stretch before climbing gently through Weißkar and Seiter Kar to Restaurant Tiefenbach on Tiefenbach glacier (approx. 4 hrs.). At the restaurant you make a left in front of the tunnel and hike up the ski slope to Seiterjöchl (follow Seiterjöchl chairlift). From Seiterjöchl you head in a northern direction down towards Rettenbachferner. You make a left around a rocky promontory and continue in a northwestern direction without great altitude changes to the lift stations on Rettenbachjoch (end of the glacier section). From Rettenbachjoch the trail drops down steeply and levels out before reaching Braunschweiger Hütte.

Variation: by bus from Restaurant Tiefenbach to the base terminal of Rettenbach glacier; walk to the upper parking lot and hike up to Pitztaler Jöchl (2996m) – the last part of the trail takes you across a crevasse-free glacier field (crampons might be useful); from Pitztaler Jöchl it’s an easy walk down to Braunschweiger Hütte; walking time from the base terminal of Rettenbach glacier: approx. 1 ¾ hrs. If Pitztaler Jöchl is closed: from the upper parking lot hike to Rettenbachjoch (easy glacier section on the last few meters); walking time from the base terminal: approx. 1 ¾.