This tour is very popular both from the valley and from the gondola station, especially when the snow conditions are good, there are usually tracks and numerous other skiers on the way. However, the terrain is usually quite wide during the descent and thus offers plenty of space for new tracks!
Ascent
The tour starts at the top station of the cable car in the small ski area of Maurach. With the help of the chairlift, you can save another 20 meters in altitude. You cross the plateau slightly ascending to the northeast (orientation difficult in poor visibility!), cross a relatively steep slope after a small yoke (key section) before ascending a few more meters to the summit of the Rofanspitze. In principle, you can also start the descent directly from the yoke, but you will miss out on the great view from the summit.
Descent
The descent first takes you down the steep summit slope to the south before continuing flat through hilly terrain to the Scherbensteinalm. From here, keep slightly left (do not continue straight on, as you will end up in impassable steep terrain) and then turn right over a steeper slope below an impressive rock face into the Alpiglalm area. From here, you generally follow the road downhill, but if the snow conditions are good, you can always take a shortcut in the forest, first steep and then flat. You quickly reach the small settlement of Astberg, from where you can either follow the road to the Rofan settlement on foot or, if the snow conditions are very good, continue down to the road. There is a bus stop right by the bridge over the road to Lake Achensee, and the bus takes you back to the gondola station in Maurach relatively quickly. If you don't like waiting for the bus, park in the valley in the morning and take the bus to the gondola station.
Information
Difficulty (5-level scale): ***
Special dangers: Orientation (only in poor visibility, there are usually tracks)
Average gradient/maximum gradient: 30°/ 38°
Exposure: SW-S
Altitude difference start and finish: 1.831 m | 560 m
Altitude difference uphill and downhill: approx. 400 m | 1.700 m
Duration: 3 hours
Best time of year: January - March
Addresses:Toursimusverband Achensee,Rofanseilbahnen Maurach, +43 5243 5292
Directions: Via Inntalautobahn or from the north via Achenkirch to Maurach am Achensee.
Topographic maps: Alpine Club Map 6, Rofan, with trail markings, 1:25,000
