The tour starts from the parking area at the Gitschberg valley station in Meransen. Keeping to the left, you reach a distinctive round building via a 200-metre paved ramp – this is where you can put on your skis. From there, a moderately steep meadow leads in about 5 minutes to the edge of the forest. Continue along a relatively flat section, and after another 5 minutes you will reach an old mill (“Pichler Mühle”). Stay to the right at first, but after about 20 metres turn left to follow a slightly steep track. Keep heading straight uphill, crossing the gondola line once, until the route soon meets a gently inclined forest road. After approximately half a kilometre you arrive at a junction called “Grabenkreuz”. Turn right here, cross a sledding track shortly afterwards, and continue across rolling terrain that is occasionally steep. Later, turn right into a flatter stretch of forest that leads into a small hollow. This brings you back to the sledding track and, on its right-hand side, to a separated lane passing under the ski slope through a tunnel.
After exiting the tunnel, turn sharply right and enter a sparse forest where a beautiful classic ski-touring terrain with many switchbacks leads up to the forest boundary. Cross the sledding track again; from here, within about 15 minutes, you will see the top station of the Nesselbahn, the central hub of the ski area. To continue to the Gitschhütte (another 100 metres of ascent), it is best to follow the prominent ridge above the Nesselhütte.
From the Gitschhütte, traverse the “Gitschebene” eastwards, then follow a classic ski-tour track, always keeping to the right outside the piste, up to the summit – rewarded with impressive views down into the Pfunderer Valley and breathtaking 360-degree panoramas from the summit cross.
The route is signposted up to the top station of the Nesselbahn.
For the descent, the groomed slopes are available to you. Numerous mountain huts invite you to take a well-earned break.
