Descent: Spina - Heiligkreuz - Valley station

We start the hike at the Palfries mountain station. With the Palfries cable car, we have previously covered about 1,250 meters in altitude in just 12 minutes. The cable car travels over an impressive waterfall (Ragnatscher Bach) and takes us up to the Palfries high plateau.

For this descent option to the valley station, we have chosen the shortest route. It is partly very steep but not dangerous. Due to the altitude difference to be covered, the leg and knee muscles will be heavily strained. Initially, the descent leads over alpine pastures and through loose forest; from the Hinderspina, it continues steeply downhill through loose forest and along rock faces.

On the descent, we encounter various alpine and, on the Hinderspina, rare meadow flowers.

From the mountain station, we hike northwest to the Palfries mountain inn. There, the mountain path branches off to the left and initially leads downhill over alpine pastures. After passing under the cable car road, the partially developed track leads through loose forest to the mountain farms Hinderspina. At the hut, we choose the path heading southeast. This is the steepest section of the descent, going through the forest and along wooded rock walls. Above Heiligkreuz, the mountain path merges into the district road (Erzweg). We follow the road downhill until we reach a road intersection where Kürschnen- and Tscherfingergasse and Erzweg meet. Our path continues through Kürschnengasse (turn right) and shortly afterwards keep right or go straight. The path passes by a gravel trap and soon merges into a dirt road. Here, continue right over the Reschubach bridge, through the barn and houses, then more or less along the forest edge and later the dry stone wall to the hamlet of Oberragnatsch. The trail crosses the Ragnatscher Bach in the forest. Shortly before the destination, we must pay close attention to the trail signs at the large square. In particular, the path over the dam is not to be chosen. Upon exiting the forest, you can already see the cable car valley station.