Rosengarten circumnavigation

Demanding mountain hike; sure-footedness and good equipment required.

Directly from the village center of Welschnofen, the Laurin I cable car takes you up to Frommer Alm (1743 m), from where the König Laurin I & II cable cars comfortably glide towards the Kölner Hütte (2337 m). Once at the top, the mountain path [550] leads to the Tschagerjoch (2630 m). This trail begins over a rock ridge equipped with wire ropes. Afterwards, the path continues somewhat easier before the steep ascent between rugged rock walls leads to the Tschagerjoch. Some sections are equipped with wooden planks and wire ropes.
On the steep descent, hikers then walk down the slope to the junction, where they follow path [541] to reach Cigolade Pass (2550 m). It crosses gently hilly scree and rubble-laden meadow slopes beneath the jagged rock walls and then climbs quite steeply to the Cigolade Pass. One section is secured with a steel cable, and a ladder must be overcome. Amidst the bizarre rock landscape, breathtaking views open up repeatedly during the arduous ascent on path [541] down into the picturesque Fassa and Vajolon valleys.
Next, a rocky path gently descends to a stone passage that leads into a wide Dolomite arena. Following the trail [541], you reach the Rotwand Hütte (2280 m) and Pederiva Hütte (2275 m). Here begins path [549], leading to the Christomannos memorial – a 2.70 m high bronze eagle. From there, follow the upper Hirzelsteig [549], which includes a section with a steel cable for assistance, connecting the monument with the starting point at the Kölner Hütte. Alternatively, from the Christomannos memorial, you can follow the lower Hirzelsteig [539], path [552], and path [549], which is a well-traveled, easier hiking trail that also leads back to the Kölner Hütte.

Variant:
Take the Paolina chairlift up to the Paolina Hütte (2125 m), from where the route starts. From here, the hike follows path [539] and path [549] to the Rotwand Hütte (2280 m) & Pederiva Hütte (2275 m). Then on path [541] over the Cigolade Pass (2550 m) and further on path [541] and path [550] to the Tschagerjoch (2630 m). From the Tschagerjoch, descend to the Kölner Hütte (2337 m) and Laurins Lounge and return on paths [549] and [552] to the Paolina Hütte.

Note:
Demanding mountain hike; sure-footedness and good equipment required.

Dining options:

• Frommer Alm - Opening hours and days off: https://eggental.com/de/infos/alpengasthof-frommeralm_5125
• Kölner Hütte - Opening hours and days off: https://eggental.com/de/infos/klner-htte_5240
• Laurins Lounge - Opening hours and days off: https://eggental.com/de/infos/laurins-lounge_5266
• Rotwand Hütte - Opening hours and days off: https://eggental.com/de/infos/rotwandhtte_5242
• Pederiva Hütte - Opening hours and days off: https://eggental.com/de/infos/pederiva-htte_5246