Ski tourers ascending in the Rofan above Lake Achensee

Where can you go ski touring on Lake Achensee?

From the ORTOVOX touring trail via the Rofanspitze to the long descent to Wiesing

Julia & Madleine·5 min read

In the Rofan, right above Lake Achensee, you will find everything for your ski tour — from the educational trail for a safe start, via the summit of the Rofanspitze, to the long descent into the valley to Wiesing for experienced tourers.

Information board on the ORTOVOX touring trail in the Rofan above Lake Achensee
Tour 1

ORTOVOX touring trail Rofan: the safe way in

Just behind the top station of the Rofan cable car, at around 1,800 m, the ORTOVOX touring trail begins — specially laid out, particularly safe routes on which you learn what really matters in the winter mountains. Seven large information boards along the way cover terrain shape, snow conditions and types of avalanche — knowledge that can be vital in an emergency. The trail also shows you how to find your way safely back to the starting point. Ideal not only for ski tourers but for snowshoe hikers too.

Start: behind the Rofan cable car, approx. 1,800 m

Distance
1.5 km
Duration
approx. 1 hr
Difficulty
Easy
Elevation
200 m

Where to stop: Erfurter Hütte, Berggasthof Rofan or Almstüberl, all right by the top station.

Plan your Lake Achensee adventure
View from the summit of the Rofanspitze across the snow-covered Rofan mountains
Tour 2

Rofanspitze (2,259 m): to the summit with a far-reaching view

From the top station of the Rofan cable car you follow the piste to the Mauritzalm, then drop down to the start of the ORTOVOX touring trail (also a transceiver checkpoint). You cross the wide Seekarlrinne and follow the summer path eastwards towards the Haidachstellwand, up the Grubastiege and a short, steep, narrow section onto the plateau. Continue past the Haidachstellwand to the Grubascharte, then steeply and traversing eastwards to the summit at 2,259 m.

Start: Top station of the Rofan cable car

Distance
3.5 km
Duration
approx. 1:30 hrs
Difficulty
Moderate
Elevation
500 m

Good to know: You return either the way you came up — or, for experienced tourers only, via the long descent to Wiesing (see tour 3).

Ski tourer descending from the Rofan towards Wiesing
Tour 3 — experienced tourers only

Descent from the Rofanspitze to Wiesing

From the summit of the Rofanspitze you descend slopes of more than 30 degrees into the hollow between the Sagzahn and the Gruba Lackenspitze. Through a narrow valley you reach the unstaffed Schermsteinalm, then over a steep step to the meadows of the equally unstaffed Alpbühelalm. A forest track leads down to Wiesing and through the village to the Rofansiedlung bus stop — from there the bus takes you back to the car park at the Rofan cable car.

Finish: Wiesing, return by bus from the Rofansiedlung stop

Distance
9.8 km
Difficulty
Difficult

Important: This descent is for experienced, fit tourers only. The Schermsteinalm and Alpbühelalm are unstaffed — there is nowhere to stop along the way.

Good to know

Safety
Before every tour, read the Tyrolean avalanche service bulletin (lawinen.report) — it gives the daily danger level along with the affected altitudes and aspects, and should be followed throughout the winter, even when the forecast looks favourable. You can test your avalanche transceiver at six starting points: Falkenmoos car park (Achenkirch), Unterautal entrance (Achenkirch), Achenseehof car park (Achenkirch), Hubertus car park (Pertisau), the Rofan lifts car park (Steinberg am Rofan) and at the start of the ORTOVOX touring trail in the Rofan.
Guided tours & equipment
Local mountain and ski guides accompany ski tours, and at the Achensee avalanche training you learn to handle a transceiver, probe and shovel and to judge route, terrain and your own condition correctly. No equipment of your own yet? Several sports shops in the region rent out complete touring ski sets so you can try ski touring first.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need your own equipment for the ORTOVOX touring trail in the Rofan?+

Yes — even on the educational trail you are moving in alpine terrain, so a transceiver, probe and shovel are part of the kit. Complete sets can be rented from sports shops in the region.

Is the descent from the Rofanspitze to Wiesing suitable for beginners?+

No, it is rated difficult: slopes of over 30 degrees lead through the hollow between the Sagzahn and the Gruba Lackenspitze, followed by a steep section down to the Alpbühelalm. This variant is for experienced, fit tourers only.

How safe is ski touring on Lake Achensee?+

Read the Tyrolean avalanche bulletin (lawinen.report) before every tour, even when the forecast is good. There are transceiver checkpoints at six starting points around Lake Achensee, and the ORTOVOX touring trail in the Rofan explains correct behaviour in avalanche terrain on seven information boards.

On foot to the summit of the Rofanspitze, then swinging down the valley to Wiesing: ski touring on Lake Achensee at its very best.

Plan your Lake Achensee adventure

— yours, Julia & Madleine

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