Poststeig trail from Ortisei to Laion

This hike is a very popular and unique trail. There is hardly any difference in altitude over its 12-kilometre length, which is quite atypical for the Val Gardena valley. For this reason, the trail can be compared to a hike along a Waal-Weg trail, as can be found in other regions of South Tyrol.

A long time ago, the Poststeig trail served as a connecting route into Val Gardena, along which the post from Chiusa was regularly carried into the valley on foot, giving the trail its name. Today it is a rewarding hike, which is not very steep but has many impressive sections.

Coming from the Brennero motorway (A22), drive through Val Gardena (SS242) to Ortisei. The Garage Central public car park is located not far from the parish church, where the hike begins.

Val Gardena is also easily accessible by public transport. Line 350 runs every half hour from Waidbruck or Chiusa to Ortisei to the Antoniusplatz bus stop in the town centre. From here you can reach the Parish Church in just a few minutes via the pedestrian zone.

Our hike along the Poststeig (Ladin: "Troi da la Posta", Italian: "Sentiero della Posta") starts at the Ortisei Parish Church. The first kilometre of the trail runs through the village, so you don't necessarily have to start here. From the church, cross the bridge to the Purger Memorial and walk past the roundabout along Bahnhofstraße in a westerly direction. If you have parked in the Garage Central multi-storey car park, you can set off directly out of the valley from here.

From here, P markings repeatedly point the way to the Poststeig. You reach the Nevelstraße, which leads past the traditional Uridl, Cialian and Sulé farms. After the Sulé farm, the road crosses the first small stream, followed by another one after about 500 metres. At the next crossroads, take the smaller road to the right, from which the Poststeig branches off to the left immediately afterwards.

Rasciesa fairytale forest

Once you leave the western foothills of Ortisei, you soon find yourself in the beautiful and varied Rasciesa forest. The Poststeig trail continues westwards above Pontives over a few somewhat steeper sections that require some surefootedness and endurance.

Attentive hikers will notice that the rock here is reddish in colour and that they have already left the pale Dolomites behind them. This is Val Gardena sandstone, which covers the entire area below the Dolomites but has only come to light in a few places. Geologically speaking, you have already reached the western end of the Dolomites here, but you can still admire them from afar along the Poststeig.

In this section, you also pass a so-called "ice hole". This is an underground air circulation system that cools even the warm summer air considerably. At the holes where this cold air comes back to the surface, ice can form even in summer and the ambient temperature is lower.

The Poststeig continues along the road for another 200 metres before branching off to the left to the Felsonnes farms. Soon after the group of farms, you have to climb a little again and cross the road once more. You are now above Tanurza – a small hamlet that belongs to the village of Laion – and continue the walk along picturesque meadows, which are terraced between leafy trees.

This leads you to the hamlet of Ceves and just behind it is your destination for the day, the village of Laion. Here you can take a break in one of the inns.

If you are particularly keen on hiking, you can of course also walk back along the Poststeig. Otherwise, bus No. 351 runs directly from Laion to Ortisei.

The hike from Ortisei to Laion on the Poststeig trail is at a comparatively low altitude and is therefore more often snow-free when compared to other hikes in Val Gardena. This makes the Poststeig trail a rewarding destination, particularly in spring and autumn. The many deciduous trees along the second half of the route turn a variety of colours in autumn.

The Valle Isarco is also known for its traditional Törggelen in autumn. Delicious and refined farmhouse dishes, which are also known beyond the region, can be savoured at numerous wine taverns and Törggelen establishments. Some of the best Törggelen parlours are located below the village of Laion at Novale di Laion. A visit can be perfectly combined with the Poststeig hike.

Farms to stop off at along the Poststeig

• Buchfelderhof: +39 0471 655841
• Buchnerhof: +39 0471 655829
• Oberfinserhof: +39 0471 654398
• Pedratsch: +39 0471 654020
• Putzerhof: +39 0471 655785
• Troglerhof: +39 0471 654180
• Unterfinserhof: +39 0471 654385

• Tabacco Nr.05, Gröden-Val Gardena. Die Tabacco Karten sind auch über die App zu erhalten. 
• AV-Karte Nr. 52/I