EN
Mountain hut “Moar”
Senales Valley, Merano & Surroundings
Description
The castle of the Noblemen of Senales once stood where the parish church of Monte Santa Caterina/Katharinaberg now stands with its tower reaching for the heavens was once. However, the Carthusians had it destroyed in 1350. In earlier times, there was a proto-historic human settl...

The castle of the Noblemen of Senales once stood where the parish church of Monte Santa Caterina/Katharinaberg now stands with its tower reaching for the heavens was once. However, the Carthusians had it destroyed in 1350. In earlier times, there was a proto-historic human settlement here. A Bronze Age sickle element with silica and Iron Age ceramic artefacts are proof that this area has been used for thousands of years. It would appear that a pre-historic trail ran along here coming up from Vinschgau.

Details

Leaving Monte Santa Caterian/Katharinaberg (1,245 m a.s.l), we carry on upwards along the path to Unterperfl farm (1,417 m a.s.l), at times on the road and at times on the trail. We continue along the steep trail marked no. 10 or A7 and after passing a fence we take the first turn-off to the right. Staying more or less on level ground, we arrive at Hühnerspiel (1,906 m a.s.l). This farm has been abandoned for a long time and is falling to wrack and ruin. It is a very graphic example of the extreme living conditions of the mountain farmers who were still growing grain here at the start of the 19th century. Just behind the farm, there is a small boulder (stela) in which some cup marks are etched. The view from there to lower Vinschgau is stunning. The orchards and the various villages down in the valley are striking. We continue along the slightly rising trail to Matzlaun – Untere Mairalm (2,023 m a.s.l) and straight after that we arrive at Obermairalm inn (2,095 m a.s.l), which may even have been in operation the whole year round. It’s not only the incredible landscape that is so impressive but also the buildings in this farmstead. Experts have traced the wooden core back to the 14th century. The Obermairalm inn is now only open in the summer and does not always offer refreshments. There are plans for a more contemporary and extensive use of the building, so let’s hope that common sense and the required level of sensibility will prevail.

Approach

Naturno/Naturns – Schnalstal Valley – Monte S. Caterina/Katharinaberg