Hiking in the Puez-Odle Nature Park: the wild Dolomites of Val Gardena

The Puez–Odle trek is a hut-to-hut itinerary that crosses some of the most picturesque and captivating landscapes of the Dolomites, within the Puez–Odle Nature Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Established in 1978 to protect its unique flora and fauna, the park is often described as an open-air geology book. In the park, the mountains reveal their history through time-sculpted shapes, vast suspended plateaus, and rock walls rising like stone pinnacles. The nature park covers the areas of two main mountain groups: Puez Group and Odle Group. It is a place where the majesty of the Dolomites is in harmony with the silence, tranquility, and unspoiled purity of the alpine environment.

The itinerary follows some of the most striking sections of Alta Via delle Odle and Alta Via 2, following trails that lead through constantly changing environments. The route initially takes you through wide alpine pastures at the foot of the majestic cliffs of the Odle group. As you ascend toward the heart of the Puez group, you encounter extraordinary viewpoints that offer close-up views of the area’s most iconic peaks. The descent into the wild Vallunga valley unveils a gentler landscape, where the mountains softly open toward the valley. If you prefer to end your journey more gently, you can replace the descent through Vallunga with a loop hike offering breathtaking views of Seceda Spires, one of the most emblematic panoramic viewpoints in the Dolomites.

Each hiking day allows you to fully immerse yourself in the natural world. Overnight stays are arranged in welcoming and comfortable mountain huts, where you can experience the true spirit of the mountains.

The starting point for this adventure is Val Gardena, a small valley in South Tyrol, which is appreciated and renowned for its traditional Ladin culture and offers outstanding opportunities for outdoor activities. Its main villages are Ortisei, Santa Cristina, and Selva.

The route requires good physical fitness and prior trekking experience, as it crosses various terrains and includes some exposed sections properly secured with a metallic cable. Daily stages require several hours of hiking, but every effort is rewarded by the striking beauty of the landscapes and the feeling of wandering through an authentic and protected alpine world, where nature’s authenticity remains untouched.

Program details - 5 Day Tour:

• Day 1
  Arrival in Val Gardena and check-in in 3* hotel.
   
• Day 2 - ADOLF MUNKEL WEG
  Ascent: +7720m. Descent: -510m. Altitude: 1860 - 2310m. Distance: 15km. Hiking time: 5h.
  In the morning, you reach Ortisei and take the lift up to Chalet Rasciesa. From here, your route begins by following the famous Adolf Munkel Weg, also known as the Alta Via delle Odle. The trail is easy to follow, well-marked, and allows for easy orientation. Walking at the foot of the imposing northern cliffs of the Odle massif, the path follows gentle ups and downs, alternating sections through the forest and open areas where the vegetation gives way to wide and bright panoramic views. The Adolf Munkel trail is considered one of the most scenic paths in the entire Dolomites, and along the way to your refuge, you can admire up close the beautiful peaks that were once training grounds for the young Reinhold Messner. Dinner and overnight stay in hut.
   
• Day 3 - ALTA VIA 2
  Ascent: +580m. Descent: -870m. Altitude: 2030 - 2620m. Distance: 10km. Hiking time: 5h.
  Today, you hike a magnificent section of the Alta Via No. 2, one of the most stunning long-distance hikes in the Dolomites. Get ready for a long and intense day, richly rewarded by truly extraordinary views. The route crosses a less-visited area of the Puez-Odle Nature Park, offering idyllic views of the main ridge of the mountain group. The landscape transforms into typical high-mountain terrain, with vegetation made up of mountain pines and small shrubs that adapted to the harsh climate. This is the most challenging stage of the entire trek, as you walk on rocky and demanding terrain for much of the day, immersed in rugged yet incredibly captivating scenery. The climb to Forcella Roa is steep and takes you to an altitude of 2.617 meters, the highest point of the entire tour. After enjoying the views from the pass, you begin the descent on the opposite side, slowly approaching the hut. Here, alpine meadows in contrast with the imposing peaks that tower above, create a picturesque environment perfect for capturing unforgettable photographs. Dinner and overnight stay in hut.
   
• Day 4 - PASSO DELLA MAURIA
  Option 1: Ascent: +610m. Descent: -1020m. Altitude: 1600 - 2580m. Distance: 13km. Hiking time: 5h30.
  Option 2: Ascent: +520m. Descent: -440m. Altitude: 2030 - 2520m. Distance: 9km. Hiking time: 3h30.
  For the final leg of the tour, you can choose between two itinerary options. Option 1: From the hut, begin the ascent towards Forcella de Sieles, which you reach by following a trail secured with a metallic cable. The descent on the other side offers a spectacular panoramic view of the Sella massif. Before reaching Rifugio Puez, you start descending towards Vallunga, following a trail that first crosses the rocky landscape typical of the Puez plateau, then immerse itself in wide alpine meadows. Option 2: If you prefer an easier option, you can choose to visit the famous Seceda Spires, the most scenic area in Val Gardena. The entire day is dedicated to enjoying the breathtaking views of the Dolomites, with no major elevation gains and plenty of time to admire the beauty of the place. At the end of the day, you reach the Col Raiser cable car station, where the lift takes you comfortably back down to the valley.
   
• Day 5
  After breakfast, check-out and departure.

Program details - 6 Day Tour:

In addition to the main route, the 6-day tour includes one day hike to Alpe di Siusi. Alpe di Siusi is Europe’s largest plateau and features one of the most famous sceneries of the Dolomites. After the hike, you will return to your basecamp hotel in Val Gardena

Additional clarifications

The program could be changed at discretion of the Campo Base Team based on weather conditions and forecasts, mantaining however inalterate the basic structure and the aims of the proposal.

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