Snowshoe hike to the Lafetz Mountain Hut

The Val Senales is well known for its glacier skiing area, but in winter it also features rewarding routes for winter walking and snowshoe tours away from the slopes. An easy route leads from the village of Madonna di Senales to the Lafetz Hut - our destination on this March day.

The Madonna di Senales Pilgrimage Church, where we start our walk, already sits at nearly 1,500 metres above sea level. Trail no. 19 begins as a narrow path leading up the slope and soon intersects a wide forest track. We follow the forest track, which leads directly to the Lafetz Hut.

After the steady incline, the final stretch is slightly narrower and falls into shade early, but at our destination the landscape opens up to the sun once more. We enjoy our packed lunch sheltered under the eaves of the mountain hut. Open during the summer months, the hut is surrounded by larch and stone pine forest and provides unobstructed and wonderful views.

We see the Similaun, the Oetztal Alps, and the Oetzi discovery site at the Hauslabjoch in the distance. In summer, the Lafetz Hut serves traditional South Tyrolean alpine cuisine, including vegetarian options (2026 update: The hut was rebuilt in 2019). After our break, we retrace our steps along the same route back to Madonna di Senales, returning after almost three hours.

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Author: AT

Experienced: March 2014
Last updated: 2026

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