Ratschings – Cross-country skiing, mountains and culture in winter
Accommodation in Ratschings
In winter, Ratschings combines a high-altitude cross-country ski trail with hiking and viewing destinations as well as cultural attractions. The themes range from cross-country skiing, mountain hikes and viewpoints to museums, castles and a regional tradition.
File:ITA — Region Trentino-Südtirol — Provinz Bozen–Südtirol — Bezirksgemeinschaft Wipptal — Gde. Ratschings — LS 38 — Innerratschings (Ortsschild) 2024-07-13 Mattes.jpg
Photo: Photo: User:Mateus2019
Cross-country skiing on the Platschjoch
The Platschjoch panoramic high-altitude cross-country ski trail lies at an elevation of 1,800 metres and runs for 14.9 kilometres through varied open terrain and dense spruce forests. For a day of cross-country skiing, the trail length and changes in terrain are the two specific planning factors; the trail connects open sections with forest passages.
Wolfsthurn Castle and the themed trail
Since 1996, Wolfsthurn Castle has been home to the South Tyrolean Museum of Hunting and Fishing. The museum features originally furnished state rooms and a cultural-historical collection on the history of hunting and fishing.
A themed trail leads to Wolfsthurn Castle. Interactive stations and information boards provide insights into the habitats „Forest and Water“. A museum day can therefore combine the state rooms and the collection with the themed trail on forest and water.
Mountain hikes and views in the Ridnaun High Mountains
The „Seven Lakes Tour“ is a challenging hike in the Ridnaun High Mountains to glacial lakes. The panoramic platform at Fuchssee offers a 360-degree panoramic view amid the alpine pasture landscape of Ridnaun.
You can reach the panoramic platform on bus route 312 from Sterzing to the „Gasse“ stop. If you travel to the viewpoint by bus, the route begins in Sterzing and ends at the „Gasse“ stop.
Gilfenklamm: current trail conditions
A special restriction must be observed at Gilfenklamm. Due to a rockfall on 22 August 2026, it is currently accessible only from the entrance at Jaufensteg. The visit proceeds exclusively downhill over wooden walkways and bridges and extends approximately halfway along the regular route towards the waterfall. For planning the day, the starting point at Jaufensteg, the direction of walking and the limited trail distance must therefore be taken into account. The approximate reach to halfway along the regular route should be planned as the limit of the walkable section.
Other landscape destinations in the surrounding area
Cascate di Stanghe is a waterfall in the immediate surroundings of Racines. Castel Strada is a castle in the surroundings of Racines. Monte Altacroce is a mountain in the surroundings of Racines. Guardia Alta is a mountain in the surroundings of Racines. Penser Weißhorn is a summit in the surroundings of Racines.
Culture and regional orientation
Schenna is a castle in the wider regional surroundings of Racines. Brunnenburg is a museum in the wider regional surroundings of Racines. The Museo delle Donne is another museum in the wider regional surroundings of Racines. A Krampus procession is a tradition in Ratschings.
Further destinations for your regional orientation are Mauls, Pfitsch, Sterzing, Freienfeld, Brenner, Mareit and Franzensfeste.
For the higher-level travel overview: Wipptal.
More about the destination
Relevant information for planning your trip:
