1. Background / History
Nauders is a village near the Reschenpass where three countries meet: Austria, Italy and Switzerland. Where normally the stork brings babies, in Nauders, newborns come from the “Holy Tree”. This is just one of many ancient myths and legends that circulate in the village near the Reschenpass, that connects Austria and Italy. Nauders is located in a remote part of Tyrol where visitors will find a great mix of high alpine meadows and steep peaks.
2. The hiking trail
2.1 Summary
The trail starts with a relaxed ride up with the Mutzkopf chairlift. From there, the hike leads through a nature reserve, to the idyllic lake Schwarzsee and then further to the lake Grünsee. Now the climb to the Großer Mutzkopf follows. Here the view extends to the lake Reschensee (in Italy). Via the inn Riatschhof it goes back to the valley to Nauders.
The total length of this trail (without chair lift) is 10.3 kilometers. The duration is 4 hours.
In the trail, between the both lakes, there is a side-way that leads to the three countries landmark (borders of Italy, Switzerland and Austria). This is a 15 minutes walk.
Signpost to the three countries landmark
© www.suedtirolerland.it
The boundary stone
© www.suedtirolerland.it
2.2 Starting point
Starting point of the trail is the top mountain station of the double chairlift Mutzkopf in Nauders. There is a little parking lot at the valley station of the Mutzkopfbahn. There is a free parking lot at the valley station of the Bergkastelbahn (20 minutes walk to the Mutzkopfbahn).
How to get to Nauders:
By car: From Wenns, drive to Fließ, follow the B180 (Reschenstraβe) to Nauders. At the end of this road (in the center of Nauders), drive to the right over the Martinsbrücker Straße. The chairlift is at the left side of the road.
By public transport: From Wenns, there is a bus connection to Nauders via Imst and Landeck, duration 2 hours.
2.3 Turn-by-turn directions
First you take the chairlift to the mountain Kleinmutzkopf. From there you walk through a nature reserve area to the idyllic Schwarzsee and then through a small wood with pine trees to the Grünsee. Then the trail rises up to the Großmutzkopf. At the top you have a boundless view to the Reschensee (lake) in Italy. Back into the valley via Riatsch to Nauders.
Then follow road no. 6. You can also choose an alternative route, there are two options. East of the Schwarzer See, you can take a path that runs over the southern shore towards the Grüner See. A second road begins at the very end of the western shore of the lake.
In the end, both paths come back together in the wood above the lake. You’re walking further through a beautiful pine forest to the Grüner See.
If you then follow the path to the southeast, you enter the Groβmutz area with outstrechted meadowlands. If you choose to stay at road nr. 6, walk further in northeast direction, then you will reach the highest summit of the Großmutzkopf. Here, with a little luck, you can see the Reschen lake in Italy!
The trail continues at road nr. 7 towards the meadows of Riatsch and Riatschhof. If you decide in Riatsch to walk back to Nauders via road 5a, below the meadows of Riatsch you will find signs that show the way. You arrive at a former ski trail that winds through the woods into the meadows into the valley. Then cross the street and walk across the bridge over the Stillebach creek. So you reach the hotel Gasthof Martha at the Alte Straße and you are back in Nauders.
2.4 Duration
The total duration of this trail is 4 hours (cable car not included). When enjoying the scenery more relaxed, taking photos etc. it will take more time.
3. Recommended maps for this region:
4. Photos
The Schwarzer See with the white water lillies
© www.suedtirolerland.it
The Grüner See, which really lives up to its name (green lake)
© www.suedtirolerland.it
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5. Useful links