Hike beneath the Odle peaks

The Odles mountain group separate Val Gardena from Val di Funes and rise up as particularly slender and impressive Dolomite peaks. For some years now, the Odle peaks have been one of the most popular photo subjects in the Dolomites. The rugged rocks of the Odles – the Ladin name for the Geisler, which means "needles" – rise above the gentle meadows of the alpine pastures, creating a particularly beautiful sight that will leave you in awe.

Coming from the Brenner motorway (A22), drive through the Val Gardena valley (SS242) to Santa Cristina and then to the valley station of the Col Raiser cable car. Parking is available directly at the valley station.

Val Gardena is also easily accessible by public transport. Line 350 runs every half hour from Ponte Gardena or Chiusa to the Dosses/Maciaconi bus stop in the S. Cristina town centre. From here you can reach the cable car on foot in around 20 minutes. Otherwise, there is a city bus that goes to the Col Raiser valley station.

When you arrive at the mountain station of the Col Raiser cable car, you can immediately admire the steep Odle peaks towering above the meadows of the Pastura de Ncisles. At the mountain station, we recommend not only enjoying the view but also briefly studying the course of the trail, as you can see almost the entire route from here, which makes it easier to find your bearings.

From the mountain station, walk past the Odles Hut on the right along the marked Trail No. 4 to the Rifugio Firenze. Through a sparse pine forest, you enter the picturesque Puez-Geisler Nature Park, which stretches from Val Gardena to Val Badia. The Rifugio Firenze is quickly reached and serves as a starting point for hikers and climbers for various activities in the region around the Odle Group.

From here, there are two options to explore the Pastura de Ncisles: a long option and a short one. The longer option leads a little way downhill from the Rifugio Firenze to the first bend below the hut, where the marked Trail No. 2-3 branches off. This leads uphill to the right of a small "gorge" through mountain pines and then flat to the north, bringing you ever closer to the impressive rocks of the Odle Group.

At an altitude of 2,140 m, you reach a fork in the path: to the right, the Forcella della Roa opens up and to the north, you can see the ascent to the Forcella Mont dal'Ega. However, this hike continues on Trail No. 2B to the west below the Odle. You pass below the massive Sas Rigais (the Sas Rigais via ferrata leads to the 3,025-metre-high and thus highest of the Odle Peaks). Path 2B now leads to Piera;ongia, passing the Sas de Mesdì, the Odla d'Ncisles and the large and small Fermeda.

For the short option, however, take Trail No. 13 directly northwards from the Rifugio Firenze. This leads over gentle hills to the north where you can marvel at the individual peaks of the Odle. At a fork in the path (2,100 m), turn left onto Trail No. 13B to reach path no. 2B and shortly afterwards the Pieralongia Alp.

Hiking recommendation: Hike to the Pieralongia Alp

"Pieralongia" is also a Ladin name and means "long rock". It is a 60-metre-high menhir that stands out even from a distance. Nearby is the Pieralongia Hut, which is perfect for a break.

Continue along Trail No. 2B to the west, passing above the Troier Hut. Now begins the steep ascent to the highest point of the hike, the summit of the Seceda. Follow Trail No. 1 high above the Mastlé Alp up to the Forcella Pana and from there on to the summit of the Seceda at 2,519 metres, from where you can enjoy a breathtaking view.

The view extends from the Ortles, the highest peak in South Tyrol in the west, over the glaciers of the main alpine ridge in the north, on the border with Austria, southwards to the mighty Sassolungo (Langkofel) and Sassopiatto (Plattkofel), which together form the Sassolungo Group, as well as the Sella Group.

But the absolute eye-catchers are the first two towers of the Odle peaks: the small and large Fermeda rise upwards as striking rock formations and create an impressive picture. This place is also known among photographers and influencers as one of the most popular photo spots in the Dolomites and you can observe the lively activity up here. However, most of the people here are not keen hikers.

The descent now follows via Trail No. 6, which leads along a steep gravel road past the Sofie Hut. At an altitude of 2,296 metres, turn left onto Trail No. 1A to the Daniel Hut. From here, continue until you reach Trail No. 2 at a crossroads, which takes you back to the mountain station of the Col Raiser cable car.

The meadows below the Odle are divided into two alpine pastures: everything on the right as seen from Col Raiser belongs to the Puez-Odle Nature Park and is the Pastura de Ncisles. Everything to the left is the Mastlé Alp, on which there are numerous private alpine meadows with huts. There are also a few small mountain lakes in between. Between Pieralongia and the Troier Hut, you pass the "Lech da Iman", on the banks of which you can stop for a break.

However, the largest and most impressive mountain lake is Lech Sant, the Holy Lake. Legend has it that a church once stood on its site. However, as the farmers and dairymaids misbehaved during the summer months, they were punished with torrential rain and the church sank into the lake. If you are early, you can stay on Trail No. 6 on the descent from the Seceda at an altitude of 2,296 m to the Cuca saddle (2,160 m). From here, a path leads down through the meadows to the Lech Sant below. Return to the Fermeda Hut and from there take Trail No. 2 back to the Col Raiser mountain station. At this point, we also recommend the wonderful hike to the Lech Sant Hut.

• Tabacco No.05, Gröden-Val Gardena. The Tabacco maps are also available via the app.
• AV-Map No. 52/I