Rifugio Chiusa and Rifugio Croce di Lazfons: hike to Europe's highest pilgrimage place

  • Starting-point: Kühhof (1587 mt.)
  • At a glance: Kühhof - Rifugio Chiusa/Klausner Hütte - Rifugio S. Croce di Lazfons/Latzfonser Kreuz - return
  • Altitude difference: 724 mt.
  • Highest point: Rifugio S. Croce di Lazfons/Latzfonser Kreuz (2311 mt.)
  • Difficulty: three climbing-boots hike *

We go by car from Velturno/Feldthurns to Lazfons and Kühof parking (1587 mt.). Here we start walking on the wide footpath number 17 across the enlightened woods and the tablelands in bloom until the Rifugio Chiusa/Klausner Hütte (1920 mt.; open on summer), placed about 1 hour and ½ far from Kuhof.
Here we have a break and a snack. Above the hut spreads a beautiful wood. Later we proceed again on footpath 17 towards the Rungger Hütte and we go up, after a roadfork, along the slopes until Rifugio S. Croce di Lazfons/Latzfonser Kreuz (2311 mt.; about 1 hour far from Rifugio Chiusa/Klausner Hütte; refreshment available), located on the rocky ridge of Ritzlar/Cima S. Cassiano range.

The little church built up in 1868 on the ruins of an old chapel represents Europe's highest pilgrimage place. On summer it hosts the "Schwarzen Herrgott" (Black Jesus Christ), a beloved Christian icon, which protects hikers from bad weather. The icon is carried here on summer and bringed back to the valley on autumn. Nearby the church there is a hut.

Descent: follow the same path.

Useful advice: hikers love this tour because it's not a difficult one, but the access to the upper part of it is a bit steep and gravelled. Who is used to mountain walks can reach by footpath number 17 Cima S. Cassiano/Kassianspitze (2581 mt.) located at 1 hour far from Rifugio S. Croce di Lazfons/Latzfonser Kreuz.  

* Three climbing-boots hikes: medium/hard hikes; length approximately between 2 and 4 hours; some ascents and descents; footpaths often are covered with gravel; some rough terrain; steepness up to 400 metres; suitable gear and anti-slide boots.

Features
Difficulty: Medium
Length: 13 km
Duration: 06:00 hours
Difference in altitude: 724 m

Hotel Valle Isarco and environs