4.6
(19)
133
hikers
05:31
13.6km
840m
Hiking
Hike the difficult 8.5-mile Rosskopf Trail 19A from Sterzing to Gossensass, gaining 2761 feet with stunning alpine views.
Last updated: February 26, 2026
Tips
Includes segments that may be dangerous
Parts of this route comprise highly technical, difficult, or hazardous terrain. Specialist equipment and prior experience is required.
After 148 m for 70 m
After 13.6 km for 70 m
Waypoints
Start point
Get Directions
74 m
Highlight • Restaurant
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Tip by
667 m
Highlight • Lake
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1.99 km
Highlight • Mountain Hut
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7.29 km
Highlight • Rest Area
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7.38 km
Highlight • Rest Area
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Tip by
13.6 km
End point
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
5.16 km
4.45 km
4.04 km
Surfaces
5.85 km
5.35 km
2.39 km
< 100 m
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Elevation
Highest point (1,910 m)
Lowest point (1,080 m)
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Weather
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Thursday 21 May
25°C
3°C
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This route was planned by komoot.
This trail is classified as a hard hike, requiring a high level of physical fitness. You'll encounter technical, difficult, and potentially hazardous sections, so prior alpine experience and specialist equipment are necessary. Make sure you have sure-footedness and wear sturdy shoes.
You'll traverse diverse alpine landscapes, including mountain meadows and shaded forest sections. The path features unpaved, natural, and some gravel portions. Be prepared for sections characterized as 'highly technical, difficult, or hazardous terrain' and 'alpine'.
The starting point is conveniently located just two minutes from Sterzing's medieval city center. From there, a modern gondola lift transports hikers up to the mountain station, which is the official start of the trail. A large parking lot is available at the Rosskopf ground station for easy access.
Yes, at the mountain station, you'll find the Sterzingerhaus Panorama Restaurant, offering a place to rest and enjoy the views. Further along the route, the Wieserhütte provides another opportunity for refreshments and local mountain food.
Throughout the hike, you'll enjoy stunning alpine scenery with expansive views of the Tribulaun massif, the Zillertal Alps, and the Dolomites, as well as the charming town of Sterzing. Notable features include the Sterzingerhaus Panorama Restaurant, the Kastellacke Biotopes (a lake), and the Wieserhütte. There's also a Forest Playground with Pond and Wildlife Information.
The trail is best enjoyed during the warmer months when the alpine conditions are most favorable. Given its difficulty and technical sections, it's crucial to avoid periods with snow or ice, typically late spring to early autumn.
While the trail itself is a natural path, the gondola lift to the mountain station may have specific rules regarding dogs. It's always best to check with the lift operator beforehand. If dogs are allowed, they should be kept on a leash, especially given the challenging terrain and potential wildlife.
There are no specific permits or entrance fees required to hike the Rosskopf Trail 19A itself. However, you will need to purchase a ticket for the gondola lift to reach the mountain station where the trail begins.
While the full Trail 19A is very challenging, sections of the broader Rosskopf area offer family-friendly options. You'll find a Forest Playground with Pond and Wildlife Information, and the 'Rossy Walk' adventure trail is also in the vicinity, providing engaging experiences for younger hikers.
Yes, the route intersects with several other paths. Notably, sections of the Dolomieu-6-Almen-Weg, Rundweg Flaner Jöchl, and R.v.Gottschalk-Weg overlap with or are very close to the Rosskopf Trail 19A.
The hike concludes in Gossensass at a Kneipp Facility in Gossensass. This is a perfect spot to refresh your feet in cold mountain water after a demanding day on the trail.
Last report today about the crossing of the Alps. It rained all night and of course, when the angel starts, it is dry from above. The temperatures were different today. It was even cool in places. We started again near where we left off yesterday. This time we walked along a beautiful stream before heading up into the forest and up into the sky. We first went to an alpine pasture. After the first 50 meter climb, I could have outed myself as a nudist again. I was sweating quite a bit. But at first it was quite cold on the alpine pasture and my fleece was soaked. My sweater, which I had put on, was also quite damp for some inexplicable reason. Then the sun slowly came through on the alpine pasture. After food and drink, we continued on to the summit cross to take a few group photos and posed photos. Then most of us went to the Rosskopfbahn to go to Sterzingen. When we got down there we were given an Italian ice cream. After that we went to a souvenir shop and then to the café. At around 4 p.m. we were given a short tour of the town hall and an old church. There in the town hall was the table at which the A.H. signed the peace treaty with the Bavarians. There were also emperors sitting at the table. In the hotel for dinner we received a certificate, a medal and a Nicki. Conclusion: yes, such a crossing of the Alps is highly recommended. But of course only as an angel, because it is no fun in bad weather. On a group hike you also have to be lucky with the people. Mine were nice. The luxury option was just right with luggage transport and hotel. Every hotel had a sauna and some even had a small swimming pool, which I actively used. The technology in some hotels and the cleanliness sometimes left something to be desired, but on the whole everything was good. I myself had a slight cold, which hindered me a little. It was sometimes not nice, especially at night. Tomorrow I'm going back home and I'm looking forward to it.
Today we had something to do in the morning and then we decided on a family-friendly tour from Rosskopf 1860 m up. First by car to the car park at the Rosskopf valley station 😉. This costs €0.60 per hour. As a tip, we were told that there are public toilets at the bottom and only in the restaurant at the top 😘. The ride from above was very nice and we live in Gossensass and so got a 20% discount and only paid €17 for the ride up 😄🔝😎. The recorded tour then started at the top. The views from above were very nice, although there could have been a bit less clouds. The flora and fauna up there was wonderful again. I even briefly saw a deer 🦌 and unfortunately it was gone quickly. Apparently there was no photo session scheduled at the time 😌🤣🤣😉. At the Vallmingalmen we enjoyed a cool juice spritzer and the beautiful view 🫶🔝. The alpine roses are starting to bloom, the cows 🐄🐄 add to the sound with their bells 🔔, the water flows and babbles along the stream 😜👍. Children should also be a little fit and sure-footed on this tour. And wear good shoes. We ended the tour at the train station in Gossensass. With the guest card we drove to the Rosskopf valley station for free and picked up the car 🚙 again 🙃. It was a very nice day with great impressions and experiences 🫶🌞😃
The last stage offered another (by our standards) quite crisp ascent, but a relaxed end with the cable car down to Sterzing. Before that, there was a wonderful path through the forest to the Vallming Alm and then on to the Alm at Rosskopf. A great way to end a wonderful trip. Such a "light" crossing of the Alps is recommended to everyone who wants to sniff the alpine air.