Val Gardena

Dolomites UNESCO Geotrail - Stage 5: from Ortisei/St. Ulrich to the Puez Hut (Alternative route)

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The Geotrail traverses in 10 days the South Tyrolean Dolomites. The hiker looks out on some of the most beautiful and geological interesting mountain groups of the Pallid Mountains of Alto Adige. This stage starts from Ortisei to the Brogles Alm, Focella Mesdì and the Mastlè Alp. After you reach the Forcella Forces de Sieles the trail runs on the Alta Via Dolomiti N° 2 until the Puez hut.http://www.sii.bz.it/

The drive to the starting point of the Geotrail Dolomites UNESCO in Ortisei is possible by public transportation means (busline N. 350 to S. Antonio square). You can calculate the drive on the website of the local traffic of Alto Adige.

Arrival by car: From Chiusa following the road signs you reach Ortisei in about 20 minutes. Your follow the yellow arrow in direction parish church and then you follow the Roma street to reach the valley station of the cable car of Seceda. Chargeable parking option at the following garages: Mont Sëuc, Central, Seceda or Pana.

From the centre of Ortisei (S. Antonio square), head for the valley station of the Seceda cable car (several signposts). Follow Path no. 8 for the Anna Valley until you reach the Cafè Annatal. Continue straight on past the building (Path no. 2) and take a narrow gravel road up to a junction. Go straight ahead for a short distance, then take a left through the farms (path no. 5) to the meadows, which we cross before the path disappears into the forest. We first follow a trail (still Path no. 5) then a narrow dirt road until we reach the forest road (marking 8) that runs from the middle station of the Seceda lift. Proceed left until the next junction, then turn off right (still Path no. 8) up to Rasciesa or Cason. Shortly thereafter the path splits again. Continue straight on, with to the left a small forest hut below, then take Path no. 9 up to the Cason Hut. Those not wishing to undertake the first part of this long day’s walk can take the funicular railway from Ortisei up to Rasciesa and walk from the top station to the Cason Hut in about ten minutes. Just above the hut turn left onto Path no. 10B (signposted Flitzerscharte). At the next intersection continue straight on (Path no. 31) up to the Flitzerscharte saddle. Head right (signposted Brogleshütte – Path no. 31) and the path soon joins a dirt road that takes you to the Brogles Hut where you follow the Path no. 35 until you reach the entrance of the Mittagsscharte. The Mittagsscharte (Path no. 29) is secured with steel cables in places. Some exposed sections definitely require surefootedness. On the other side of the saddle, take the Path no. 2B in the direction of the Sielesscharte. The way up is signposted (Path no. 2B and subsequently Dolomites Alta Via no. 2). During the ascent you pass GEOSTOP I; leave the path and follow the gully to the left. When you reach the saddle, go left in the direction of the Puez Hut. The path along the ridge is in part exposed and some sections are secured with steel ropes; total surefootedness is required. At the turn off for the Nivesscharte, keep right (GEOSTOP K) and follow the Dolomites Alta Via no. 2, passing two other forks to reach the Puez Hut.

23.1 km approx. 2100 m approx. 860 m 9–10 hours

Funicular railway from Ortisei up to Rasciesa 17.4 km approx. 1150 m approx. 750 m 6½–7½ hours