Leisurely winter hike from Frommer Alm to the Messnerjoch mountain hut with beautiful views of the snow-covered Rosengarten | Catinaccio.
This leisurely winter hike combines relaxed walking with impressive views of the snow-covered Rosengarten | Catinaccio. The ascent is comfortably covered by cable car, leaving more time to enjoy the snowy mountain landscape at a relaxed pace.
From Frommer Alm hut, take the König Laurin 1 cable car uphill. From here, the wide, well-prepared winter hiking trail leads gently through the snowy landscape beneath the striking rock faces of the Rosengarten | Catinaccio. Snow-covered alpine meadows, open woodland and the majestic Dolomite peaks shape the scenery and provide impressive views along the way.
The Messnerjoch mountain hut is a welcoming place to stop for a break. On the sunny terrace or in the cosy dining room, you can enjoy traditional dishes such as dumplings or Kaiserschmarrn while taking in the winter mountain scenery.
From the mountain hut, the winter hiking trail continues to the Nigerpass | Passo Nigra. From there, the route leads through the snow-covered winter forest back to Frommer Alm.
The tour starts at Frommer Alm hut (1,743 m) along the Nigerpass | Via Nigra road. Frommer Alm hut is easily accessible by the Welschnofen | Nova Levante cable car, by bus or by car.
From Frommer Alm hut, take the König Laurin 1 cable car towards the Rosengarten | Catinaccio. From the middle station (2,000 m), follow the wide, well-prepared winter hiking trail [1B]. A ski slope underpass allows you to cross safely to the other side of the slope and continue to the Messnerjoch mountain hut (1,930 m), an inviting place to stop for a break. At the foot of the Rosengarten | Catinaccio, an impressive panorama opens up across the winter mountain landscape towards the Latemar and far beyond Bolzano.
From the mountain hut, the route follows the wide forest road [1], initially across snow-covered meadows and then through the forest, descending to the Nigerpass | Passo Nigra (1,688 m). From there, follow trail [1A] through the winter forest back to Frommer Alm. Between the trees, beautiful views of the Rosengarten | Catinaccio open up time and again.
Option 1: The circular hike can also be completed in the opposite direction.
Distance: 4.4 km
Walking time: approx. 1:35 h
Elevation difference: 336 m
Option 2:
The winter hike can also be completed without using the lifts: [Link]
Getting to the starting point of the tour by public transport is easy and convenient.
By public bus line:
- 186 from Paolina (Karersee | Carezza)
- 180 from Bozen | Bolzano, Birchabruck | Ponte Nova, Welschnofen | Nova Levante, Karer See | Carezza, Karerpass | Passo di Costalunga + change 186
- 184 from Weissenstein | Pietralba, Petersberg | Monte San Pietro, Deutschnofen | Nova Ponente, Obereggen, Eggen | Ega, Birchabruck | Ponte Nova, Welschnofen | Nova Levante, Karersee | Carezza + change 186
- 182 from Steinegg | Collepietra, Gummer | San Valentino + change 180/184 and 186
Bus stop: Welschnofen, Frommer. Online timetable search at www.suedtirolmobil.info/en/
ALTERNATIVE:
Take the bus to Welschnofen | Nova Levante center, at the cable car, then ride the cable car up to the Frommer Alm hut. Return by bus from Lake Carezza to Welschnofen | Nova Levante.
Getting to the starting point of the tour by public transport is easy and convenient.
By public bus line:
- 186 from Paolina (Karersee | Carezza)
- 180 from Bozen | Bolzano, Birchabruck | Ponte Nova, Welschnofen | Nova Levante, Karer See | Carezza, Karerpass | Passo di Costalunga + change 186
- 184 from Weissenstein | Pietralba, Petersberg | Monte San Pietro, Deutschnofen | Nova Ponente, Obereggen, Eggen | Ega, Birchabruck | Ponte Nova, Welschnofen | Nova Levante, Karersee | Carezza + change 186
- 182 from Steinegg | Collepietra, Gummer | San Valentino + change 180/184 and 186
Bus stop: Welschnofen, Frommer. Online timetable search at www.suedtirolmobil.info/en/
By car:
Destination: Karersee | Carezza
Parking: Parking lot at the Nigerstraße | via Nigra beneath the Frommer Alm hut
ALTERNATIVE:
Drive or take the bus to Welschnofen | Nova Levante center, at the cable car, then ride the cable car up to the Frommer Alm hut. Return by bus from Lake Carezza to Welschnofen | Nova Levante.
Parking: Parking lot at the Nigerstraße | via Nigra beneath the Frommer Alm hut (with costs), https://maps.app.goo.gl/yiq1K5eRM3jpmtnb6
Alternative: Parking lot Welschnofen | Nova Levante cable car, https://maps.app.goo.gl/sArFu4rWe1AirKsZ7
Ascent with the cable car up to the Frommer Alm hut. Return by bus from Lake Carezza to Welschnofen | Nova Levante
Good winter equipment is required (winter boots, possibly also crampons if needed, etc.).

Holders of the Mountain Pass can use 17 lifts in the heart of the Rosengarten, Latemar and Schlern/Sciliar any three or five days within a period of seven consecutive days.