Saldurseen / I Laghi di Saldur

Some are fed by sources, others are glacial lakes. Thus, each lake has its own, very characteristic color and mood. From crystal clear and lightning blue to turbid and greenish, the palette with which nature has painted here so imaginatively varies.

The panorama of the mountain peaks surrounding the lakes is also unique. In their water, the rocks of the Ötztal Alps and the glaciers of Saldur and Lazaun are reflected. Added to this is the radiant blue sky above the Vinschgau, one of the sunniest regions of the Alps. 300 days of sunshine a year are completely normal here, so that one can enjoy the scenic beauties of the area completely unclouded.

The starting point for the hike to the Saldur lakes is the Glieshof at 1,810 m above sea level at the end of the Matsch valley, which leads from Mals to the Salurn ridge. The Glieshof can be reached via the road from the Vinschgau. From here, you reach the lower two lakes at 2,747 m above sea level in about 2.5 hours via the Innere Matscher Alm and trail no. 4, and in another 30 minutes the other lakes. As an alternative to the direct way there and back, a beautiful circular hike is offered. You first hike to the Oberretteshütte (2,670 m), which you reach in just under 2.5 hours. From the hut, there are two trail variants up to a nameless gap at around 3,000 m altitude, where a magnificent panorama opens up for the hiker. Also, a detour of about 30 minutes to the Matscher Bildstöckljoch (3,117 m) is possible here. From the gap, trail no. 4 leads down to the plateau of lakes, which you soon overlook in all their beauty. The play of colors of the mountain lakes, which gives the place its own magic, is always fascinating. From the lakes, it then goes back to the Glieshof. Total walking time about 7 hours.

Below the first two Saldur lakes, by the way, one comes across mysterious wall remains. These are protective walls from the 19th century. At that time, the Saldur glacier was still many times larger, and again and again there were ice falls into the lakes, which triggered dangerous flood waves. In 1834, Matsch was flooded by such a wave, and subsequently, the danger was sought to be banned by the construction of protective walls.