Kreuzkofel

From St. Johann in the Ahrntal, drive up the farm road to the parking area near the Stallila (or Stalliler) snack station (1,472 m). From there, follow the signs marked “Höhenweg” on a forest trail uphill to a trail junction (the “Putzweg” continues to the right — used for the descent).

Keep left on forest trail no. 21, ascending steeply for about one hour, then less steep and partly level across the ridge to the timberline, and finally once again steeper along the open mountainside to the summit with its cross (2,420 m). Total ascent: approximately 3.5 to 4 hours from the starting point.

Descent: Return along the same path to the junction. Now turn left and follow the sign to Kegelgassl Alm, a managed alpine hut at 2,123 m (about 45 minutes from the summit). From there, descend on a footpath to the upper Hofer-Paul-Hütte, then either continue on the footpath or take the service road down to a trail junction near the Hofer-Paul-Alm (slightly lower). Follow the service road gently uphill to the left turnoff onto the Putzsteig, and descend through the forest back to the starting point (about 1.5 hours from Kegelgassl Alm).