Alta Badia

From La Villa to the Ütia Gardenacia hut

Vaikea

The Ütia Gardenacia hut lies at the eastern end of the Nature Park Puez-Odle over the village of La Villa, in the middle of green meadows dotted with larches. It offers a spectacular view over the villages of Alta Badia and its mountains, such as the Sas dla Crusc, Lavarela and Conturines, while in the distance the Tofane, the Pelmo, the Civetta and the Marmolada can be discerned.

*By car

• Coming from Innsbruck: take the A 13 and the A 22 toll motorway and exit at Bressanone/Brixen, following the signs to Brunico/Bruneck along the Val Pusteria/Pustertal road as far as San Lorenzo/St.Lorenzen. Follow the signs to Val Badia/Gadertal 
• Coming from Verona-Bolzano: take the A 22, exit at Bressanone/Brixen and continue as above

*By train

The nearest train stations are:

• Brunico - 37 Km
• Bolzano (via Passo Gardena) - 72 Km (via Brunico) – 100 Km
• Connection train station – Alta Badia by the local bus SAD: www.sad.it

*By air

• Innsbruck - 130 km
• Munich – 330 km
• Venice Treviso / Venice Marco Polo – 180 / 200 km
• Verona – 213 km
• Milan Bergamo / Milan Malpensa - 310 /400 km
• Information airport transfer: www.suedtirolbus.it - www.cortinaexpress.it

From the Gardenaccia chairlift top station (1782 m) head north and then go uphill on the left following trail nr. 5, that becomes ever steeper through mugo pines to a small notch. On an series of ups and downs under the face of the Gherdenacia mountain, you will reach the high plateau, before finally arriving at the Ütia Gardenacia hut (2051 m) (45 min.). The refuge is an excellent starting point for a number of different walks to admire the peace and quiet that still reigns in this area. To return, take trail nr. 11 (1 h 15 min.)
south-eastwards from the refuge, descending into a tightly winding gorge then, keeping to the left (safety cable) continue until you reach a junction.
Trail nr. 11B leads to the Gardenaccia chairlift top station (10 min.). Alternatively, take trail nr. 11 that descends through the wood to the church of La Villa.