Kurzras by the Glacier: Mountain Sports, Ötzi and Alpine Culture

Kurzras between the Glacier and the Schnalstal Valley

Kurzras lies directly at the foot of the Schnalstal Glacier. At the head of the Schnalstal Valley, the Hochjochferner covers 185 hectares. Glacier landscapes, high-alpine trails and mountain sports shape the area around the village within a compact space.

Above 3,000 metres in just a few minutes

The Schnalstal Glacier cable car takes guests from Kurzras to 3,212 metres in six minutes, overcoming more than 1,000 metres of elevation gain. The route to the Iceman Ötzi Peak also begins in Kurzras with a six-minute ride on the glacier cable car to the mountain station. The final ascent leads via a staircase with a handrail to the viewing platform at 3,251 metres. From there, the view extends to 126 peaks over 3,000 metres in three countries.

Hiking Trails Connected to Nature and History

At the foot of the Kurzrasbach waterfall, the “Larix” via ferrata crosses several rope bridges, two sky ladders, a zip line and some challenging climbing sections. In the Schnalstal Valley, the “Alpin Trail” mountain hiking path runs parallel to it and is marked with red crosses. The two routes appeal to different interests: one focuses on secured climbing sections, while the other follows a marked mountain trail.

The A1 archaeological hike leads from Kurzras by glacier cable car to the mountain station, across the Grawand and along the ridge down to the small Finail Lake and the former highest-altitude grain farm, Finailhof. Another route starts in Maso Corto: Trail 1 follows the Unterer Berg irrigation channel, then Trail 11A branches off to the Lazaun plateau and the Lazaun Hut.

The Lazaun plateau is characterised, among other things, by an active rock glacier and a raised bog. The alpine flora includes dwarf willow (Salix herbacea); marmots, rock ptarmigans and snow grouse also live there. This combination of distinctive landforms and observable animal and plant life gives hikes in this area a clear connection to nature.

Ötzi, Art and Living Traditions

On the Grawand ridge, the art installation “Our Glacial Perspectives” consists of nine gates and a pavilion. The public installation can be reached from Kurzras by glacier cable car and then on foot along the ridge. In this way, the high-altitude trail connects with an independent art site in the glacier landscape.

Tours to Ötzi’s discovery site are offered year-round and start at the head of the valley in Kurzras. In summer, the “Ötzi Glacier Tour” is offered as a glacier hike. The tours have different focuses, but both lead to a subject closely connected with the high-alpine surroundings of the Schnalstal Valley.

Regional culture also includes transhumance, or the driving of sheep down from the high pastures, in the Schnalstal Valley. This old yet still living tradition is part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. The animals’ return is celebrated with a shepherds’ festival featuring food and drink, music and entertainment.

Skiing, Winter Trails and Getting There

Alpin Arena Schnals is a glacier ski area where, thanks to its elevation, skiing is possible from autumn well into spring. In addition to alpine skiing, it also offers ski touring, snowshoe hikes, winter hiking trails and one of Europe’s highest cross-country ski tracks. For getting there, bus route 261 runs hourly from Merano to Kurzras.

Those considering accommodation in Kurzras can take these specific points of access into account when choosing a location: several trails and tours, as well as the glacier cable car, start in Kurzras, while bus route 261 connects the village with Merano. The best location therefore depends on the planned activities and the desired itinerary.

You can explore more places via these destinations: Petschied, Margreid on the South Tyrolean Wine Road, Longega, Trafoi, Völs am Schlern, Siusi, Pineta, Kardaun.

For the broader travel overview: Bolzano.