Hike to the Malga Kradorfer hut

This family hike leads from S. Maddalena along a varied path to the Malga Kradorfer mountain hut at the head of the Val Casies valley.

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Video : Valle di Casies valley
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Starting from the car park at the Fondovalle Mountain Hut in Santa Maddalena, we first follow the signpost no. 49 towards the Kradorfer Hut.
Foto: AD, © Peer
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Before entering the forest, we enjoy the view on the beautifully situated Moos Mountain Hut.
Foto: AD, © Peer
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Here we branch off onto trail no. 49A, the Squirrel Trail.
Foto: AD, © Peer
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This path runs with a moderate gradient parallel to the forest path no. 49.
Foto: AD, © Peer
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This path is more varied and runs close to the streams.
Foto: AD, © Peer
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On the lady’s mantle the dew has settled on the leaf margin.
Foto: AD, © Peer
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The Squirrel Trail follows partly the same way as the “Talblickweg”.
Foto: AD, © Peer
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After a section through the forest, the path continues across alpine meadows.
Foto: AD, © Peer
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Cows and horses graze by the wayside.
Foto: AD, © Peer
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We hike further into the valley and see the almost 3,000 m high peaks, which lie between the Val Casies and the Valle di Anterselva valleys.
Foto: AD, © Peer
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The path is well marked and ascends only moderately.
Foto: AD, © Peer
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Almost arrived: The squirrel shows us the way.
Foto: AD, © Peer
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The Kradorfer Mountain Hut is already in sight, after crossing the meadow we have reached our destination and are looking forward to our lunch.
Foto: AD, © Peer
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The playground at the Kradorfer Hut makes children’s hearts leap for joy.
Foto: AD, © Peer
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Special highlight: A real tipi stands directly next to the mountain hut.
Foto: AD, © Peer
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From the mountain hut we look down on the head of the Val Casies valley, which is dominated by Mt. Ripa.
Foto: AD, © Peer
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Back to the starting point we hike on the forest path no. 49.
Foto: AD, © Peer

We start our hike at the car park next to the Rifugio Fondovalle mountain hut (Talschlusshütte, 1,460 m a.s.l.) to Santa Maddalena in Casies (St. Magdalena in Gsies). From there, we first walk along the forest road no. 49 into the valley and after a short walk turn right onto the Squirrel Path (Eichhörnchenweg) no. 49A. This path is moderately ascending and runs parallel to the forest road, but is more varied. It leads once through the forest, then again across meadows and the element water is our constant companion in the form of mountain streams.

After about one hour we reach the Malga Kradorfer mountain hut (Kraforder Alm, 1,700 m a.s.l.), where we stop for lunch. The children enjoy themselves on the large playground including a tepee.

From the hut we can enjoy a wonderful view on the head of the Casies Valley and the surrounding alpine world. For the way back we choose path no. 49, which passes the Messnerhütte mountain hut and brings us back to the starting point in about 45 minutes.

Author: AD

If you want to do this hike, please take information about the weather and the current conditions of the trail on site!

Starting point: Rif. Fondovalle hut in S. Maddalena in Casies
Destination: Malga Kradorfer hut
Signposts: no. 49, 49A
Distance: approx. 7 km (in total)
Walking time: approx. 2 hours and 10 min. (in total)
Altitude difference: approx. 240 m
Altitude level: between 1,460 and 1,700 m a.s.l.
Experienced in: June 2020