Hike to the Brogles Hut

This hike leads from Ortisei to the Brogles Hut directly below the famous Odle peaks. It's a real paradise that also has a lot to offer for children, making it an ideal place for families to visit.

From the Brennero motorway (A22), drive through the Val Gardena valley (SS242) to Ortisei and the valley station of the Seceda cable car (parking available for a fee). From there, it's just another 5 minutes to the valley station of the Resciesa funicular (signposted).

Val Gardena is also conveniently accessible by way of public transportation. Line 350 runs every 30 minutes from Ponte Gardena or Chiusa to Ortisei. Timetables can be found via SüdtirolMobil. It is very easy to get off at the St. Antonius square stop and in only 10 minutes you can reach the Seceda cable car via the escalators followed by the Resciesa funicular (well signposted).

The funicular will take you from Ortisei to the top in no time and during the ride, the view of the surrounding mountains will become more majestic with every metre climbed.

Arriving at the top station at 2100 metres, you’ll have an impressive view of the Val Gardena Dolomites. Many locals say that the Sassolungo is the most beautiful when viewed from Resciesa. For a little refreshment before the actual hike begins, head to the Cason Hut, which is located just above the mountain station. To do this, leave the mountain station on the east side and hike about 150 metres up along the toboggan run. This hut is wonderfully located and offers delicious treats from the farm's production on the alpine pasture.

Once you are well-fed and within view of the Odle peaks, you’ll be ready to go. The path to the Brogles Hut is flat, but you have to cross the entire alpine pasture of Inner Resciesa, so expect a long hike.

To do this, follow trail no. 35, which leads down through the forest in an eastward direction just behind the Cason Hut after a short climb up a hill. The trail is wide and in some sections, is paved with large porphyry stones.

The trail soon leads out of the forest and above the tree line across the wide meadows of the Resciesa alpine meadow. This is used by the farmers as a summer pasture for young cattle and horses. The animals are used to hikers and usually allow you to pet them. Nevertheless, one should be careful and respectful and not feed the animals. Dogs should definitely be kept on a leash!

Along the path to the Brogles Pass, up to and just before the Brogles Hut, you shouldn't expect any difficulties. The unique Odle Mountains (part of Puez-Odle Nature Park) remain in sight the entire time and offer a magnificent view. The Ladins call these slender towers Odles, which means needles. The sight of them is particularly magical from Resciesa. With every step further closer, you’ll quickly become aware of the true size of these Dolomite peaks.

After arriving at the Brogles Pass, only a short descent will separate you from the Brogles Hut. It’s located in the middle of a beautiful alpine meadow, offers a wonderful view of the Odle and has plenty of space for children to play and discover nature.

The Brogles Hut offers an extensive menu selection and is perfect for a longer lunch break. In the high season (end of July and August), it's always very busy, so it’s a good idea to order a little earlier to avoid having to wait too long for your meal.

Note: From here you can also do the well-known Forcella Pana.

The way back to the valley will lead you to Furnes, where the middle station of the Seceda cable car is located, with which you can comfortably descend to Ortisei. After a meal, however, you shouldn't rush. Instead, enjoy the mountain scenery so that you don't have to start the hike to the Brogles Pass on a full stomach. Once you reach the Pass, however, you’ll have a pleasant descent ahead of you, leading through the colourful forest.

From here, do not follow the forest road back, but take the marked trail no. 5 on the left instead. This pleasant walk leads down through the forest. At one point you’ll have to cross a small stream over a narrow bridge and further down, you’ll cross the larger Cuecenes stream.

The path continues on the left side of the Cuecenes stream towards the middle station. Cuecenes is derived from "cueciun" and means "red" in Ladin, referring to the red colour the stream gets after heavy rainfall. The water washes the sand out of the red Val Gardena sandstone found here. The river bed is very wide in sections and the water is not deep. Here, on hot summer days, there are plenty of opportunities to build dams and have fun at the end of the day.

Shortly before the middle station, and just after the large wooden bridge that crosses the stream, you’ll climb briefly up to the left and quickly reach the cable car alongside a flat meadow. In no time at all, you'll find yourself back in Ortisei.