The Val di Fosse is nestled in the Oetztal Alps: our tour leads to the high valley’s alpine pastures, up to the Maso Gelato farmstead
Image gallery: Hike to the Maso Gelato farm in the Val di Fosse
The hike into the Val di Fosse begins at the Jägerrast at the Casere di Fuori Hut (Vorderkaser). This valley is situated in the Gruppo di Tessa Nature Park and is the largest side valley of the Val Senales, lying at an altitude between 1,500 and 2,100 metres above sea level.
The broad Val di Fosse Adventure Trail starts right here. From this point, hikers can also join the Merano High Route (no. 24). The path climbs gently along the alpine trail to the Casere di Mezzo Hut (Mitterkaser), where extensive alpine meadows begin. We next reach the Rableid Hut before continuing to the Maso Gelato (Eishof), which is situated at an altitude of over 2,000 metres. After covering a distance of nearly five kilometres, we arrive at our hiking destination. The valley head rises before us, featuring the Cima Bianca Grande and Cima Altissima.
Behind us, the peaks of the Similaun and its neighbours in the Val Senales glacier area rise into the sky. Trail 24 would continue from here up to the Passo Gelato and the Petrarca all'Altissima Hut. Mountain enthusiasts can tackle this as a high alpine tour on foot or also by mountain bike. However, a leisurely hike ends here, as we still have the return journey ahead of us later.
Incidentally, the Maso Gelato was first mentioned in 1290. It was inhabited year-round during the warm periods of past centuries. Today, it serves as a base for hikers and mountaineers from May well into autumn, functioning as an alpine pasture hut, a mountain refuge, and a snack station.
Authors: AT & BS
Experienced: September 2010
Last updated: 2026
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- Starting point:
- Jägerrast Verderkas mountain inn, Val di Fosse (paid parking)
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- Overall time:
- 03:00 h
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- Total route length:
- 9,7 km
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- Altitude:
- from 1.693 m to 2.078 m
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- Altitude difference (uphill | downhill):
- +397 m | -391 m
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- Signposts:
- no. 24, "Alta Via di Merano"
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- Destination:
- Maso Gelato (2,078 m a.s.l.)
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- Resting points:
- Jägerrast Verderkas mountain inn (Easter to All Saints' Day), Casera di Mezzo Mountain Hut (May to October/November), Maso Gelato (May/June to October)
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- Recommended time of year:
- Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
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- Download GPX track:
- Hike to the Maso Gelato farm in the Val di Fosse
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- More information:
- The overall time shown above refers to the walking time only, not including breaks or stops.
If you want to undertake this hike, we recommend checking the weather and trail conditions in advance and on site before starting this hike!
