Untere Valentinalm - Mahderkopf

Access to starting point:
Over the border crossing Rateče or Predel we drive to Trbiž / Tarvisio, and then we continue driving on the highway in the direction of Videm / Udine. At the settlement Carnico, we leave the highway and at first, we follow the signs towards the settlement Tolmezzo, and then signs for Austria and mountain pass Passo di Croce Carnico / Plöckenpass. From the mountain pass, we descend on the Austrian side, and then we will after few kilometers notice signs for Untere Valentinalm, which point us to the left on an ascending road. The mentioned road, we follow to the mountain hut on the mentioned mountain pasture, near of which there is also a parking lot, where we park.
Possible is also access from the valley Gailtal (Austria).

Path description:
From the parking lot, we go on with a gate closed road in the direction of the lake Wolayer See. And soon from the road to the right, a marked path branches off, which then several times crosses the mentioned mountain road. After approximately 1 hour of walking, we step on the mountain pasture Obere Valentinalm, on which stands a shepherd hut.
From the mountain pasture from which a nice view opens up on walls of the peak Kellerspitzen (2769 meters) and partly grassy Rauchkofel, we continue slightly right on a poorly visible footpath which soon joins a wide path, which only few 10 meters before the mountain pasture leaves the road. When both paths join path entirely flattens and it brings us into a nice high mountain valley surrounded by the mighty mountain walls. At first wide and grassy valley soon narrows a little, turns slightly towards the left and it brings us below extensive scree of Monte Coglians. Valley, by the edge of which runs also mountain path is slowly turning towards the right. The path higher avoids the valley a little to the right, where in a moderate ascent crosses slopes of Rauchkofel. After two hours and a half of walking from the starting point on diverse and a panoramic path, we reach the saddle Valentintörl, where there is a crossing.
Only few meters the before signposts on the mentioned saddle, we will on the right side notice a torrent gully. The marked path which leads on Rauchkofel ascends through the mentioned gully. At the ascent through the torrent gully we get some help from fixed safety gear (fixed safety gear are in quite bad condition July 2009), which in dry aren't necessary (this part is also exposed to falling stones). After a short ascent steepness decreases and the path from the gully brings us on gentle and extensive grassy slopes. At the end of the grassy plain path turns slightly towards the left and after a short ascent, it brings us to a marked crossing.
We continue straight (right Rauchkofel) on the path which starts descending and turns a little towards the left. After a short descent, we come to a smaller swamp, where we leave the marked path and we continue right on a poorly visible footpath which is further slightly descending over an extensive grassy slopes. The path soon passes on an indistinct ridge, where it starts gradually vanishing. We continue on and by the mentioned ridge, which with nice views brings us to a smaller watering place for animals. Only a short descent follows, and then "path" again starts ascending. This poorly visible path, which is further moderately ascending we follow all the way to the top of Mahderkopf.

On the way: Obere Valentinalm (1540m), Valentintörl (2138m)