Refuge Pio XI
Introduction
The Ötztal Alps are among the least known to the hikers and climbers because of their access rather long and remote and also for the proximity of more famous mountains, easier to reach and to to recall (as the Ortler Alps) and described by a wide bibliography. For most of the twentieth century, the only guide that describes these mountains was one of the CAI (Ötztal Alps, Passirie, Breonie) published in 1939 and very hard to find. Only towards the end of the last century have been published several books that help hikers and climbers to discover some of these valleys and imposing peaks very rich in glaciers. The refuge Pio XI is a valuable starting point for the climb to the highest elevation in this group, the Palla Bianca (literary: the White Ball, in German Weisskugel) that from here is more easily accessible. The Vinschgau Valley is the gateway to the Alps of the same name and its side valleys are among the most beautiful and unspoiled in the region. Among these, the Val Matsch (previously described in the report of Refuge des Oberettes) and the branch leading to Reschenpass from where comes off, precisely in Curon Venosta (Graun) the Vallelunga, gateway to the realm of Weisskugel (m.3739) which is the highest point of this sector.
Description
After crossing the small village of Melago you enter into a wide road carriageway that goes in the beautiful wide Vallelunga open west - east, with large meadows where the river runs and having in front high peaks and glaciers. The route of this road is almost flat and very pleasant, in half an hour leads to a bridge over the stream. After passing it, the road narrows, and you will find a large boulder with the inscription "WKH" (Weisskugel Hutte) and an arrow pointing towards the left. Here the path begins to climb the side of the valley still forested. The climb is done with smooth curves at large, fairly steep. An hour's walk leads to the summit of the ridge where again we can look back over the valley below and where the vegetation with trees ceases and starts a more rugged landscape. Walk along the summit of the ridge horizontally and climb up on even less steeply rising slopes and rounded crests during an another half hour thus arriving at a new peak of moraine type where you can see the hut. The last section, on very steep terrain covered with annoying stones, rests on the left, moves between two small ponds and recross screes to the final steep climb that leads right in front of the hut. The landscape is wide open on the Palla Bianca bounded by enormous glaciers and moraines. Really lovely place. All the destinations available to hikers of mountaineer and that branch off from this refuge are challenging and long. The return to the valley can be made by the same route or by following the path 3A which remains leaning against the right hydrographic side of the valley and runs higher at first and then fall abruptly with steep performed on Melago.
A few years ago was also opened a "trail of Vallelunga" that instead remains on the opposite side, is longer but offers interesting information, particularly about glaciological charachteristics of this place.
Author
- Check the page ofGiovanni Consigli
Bibliography
- Fabio Cammelli: Guida alle Alpi Venoste, Passirie Breonie e Giogaia di Tessa Edizioni Panorama, 1995
Cartography
- Alta Val Venosta 1:25.000 - foglio 043 Editrice Tabacco - Udine, 2006
Photo gallery
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