Gilfert (2506 m) from Hausstatt

Technical difficulty: 3/10
Fitness: 5/10
Objective danger: 3/10
Landscape: 4/10
Busy: 5/10

An enjoyable tour from Hausstatt to the summit of Gilfert with descent through Lafasteralm or Nonsalm with great views over Tuxer Alps and Inn Valley.

Starting point: Hausstatt
Ending point: Hausstatt
Ascend: 1200vm / 3h
Exposition: North-west

The 2506m high Gilfert is a very well-known and popular ski touring peak high above the Inn Valley, most frequently ascended from Innerst. The route presented here is predominantly used by locals. Thanks to the ski slope at Hausstatt and the high starting point, this route is usually well accessible until late April - by this time, the route from Innerst in the lower meadow slopes is often already snowless! In safe conditions, the descent to the Lafasteralm offers wonderful powder slopes that remain in good condition for a long time.

Route:
From the uppermost parking lot (Parking lot “P1”) by the small chapel, head up along the ski slope of the Hüttegglift to the upper lift station. At the upper lift station (1520 m), turn right and follow the wide forest road flatly into the forest until you reach the signposted trail fork “Nonsalm via Saugrasweg – Gilfert”.

Turn left on the well-marked forest trail (red markings on the trees) always ascending through the forest upwards, until you rejoin a crossing forest road (1760 m). Turn right flatly towards the valley, descend a few meters (about 50 m) and at the next signposted trail fork, turn left on the “Böckenlochweg” again ascending slightly up to the first open meadows.

At an elevation of about 1900 m (south of the Nonsjöchl), the terrain now becomes steeper. Head eastwards over short steep slopes and through bowls to the right of the ridge, passing below the weather cross, and finally ascend the wide ridge to the large summit cross of Gilfert (2506m) itself..

Descend:

Option 1: In safe conditions, go back a few meters along the ascent track and then turn left, descending westward over beautiful slopes to Nonsalm (1785 m). Continue in the same direction, diagonally downhill across alpine meadows into the Nonsweg, which you follow northwest through the forest (with a short pushing section). Soon after, you reach the path fork above Eggeraste and continue straight on the forest road towards “Hausstatt”. At the next path fork, at a sharp left turn, keep right onto the Hochwaldweg, a few meters uphill, then descending again, and thus return to the mountain station of the Hüttegglift. From here, you can enjoyably ski down to the starting point.

Option 2: Either ski directly from the summit down steep north slopes to Lafasteralm (1758 m) until you meet a crossing forest road below the last building. Or descend the first meters as per the ascent to the Wetterkreuz and then turn right, skiing down beautiful north and northwest slopes to Lafasteralm.

On the forest road (Lafasterweg), head west through the Weerer forest, gently descending back to Hausstatt (1255 m).

Pro tip: Best way to decide on the right descent option is to check the current avalanche conditions at the time of your tour.
Photos by @the.running.nomad and @bennibru