After a couple of days with clouds in the sky and even some rain and snow, we finally got a clear day. From the forecast we knew this was probably going to be the best day during our stay in Ortisei so it was time to head out to do this loop. While planning for it, I had seen numerous pictures and descriptions indicating the ridge trail had spectacular views. I did start with some views in my head that I wanted to see but wasn’t sure if those were on this particular route. So after a hearty breakfast we walked out of the apartment where we stayed and started heading east. I must say that walking out the door and start hiking, whether on a trail or to it, makes a big change. Originally we thought we had to go down to town and then pick up the trail from there, but as we walked on the streets, we noticed little signs painted on walls indicating the trail. After a couple of turns, always going uphill, we finally found the trailhead and got into the forest. The trail at first was a bit different than what we expected. It was a very wide, rock covered path. Although I couldn’t find information to corroborate this, it seems a lot of the trails in the area are old cart routes that give access to little churches and refugios perched on the mountains. This is kind of corroborated by the frequent religious markings along the trail. As you follow the route, you pass by logs with carved images of different passages of the bible that seem to mark the trail and maybe even distance (although we didn’t see numbers). Most of the trail at lower elevation is a dense forest without a lot of views. There are some opening here and there that allow you to have a limited view of the valley below and the most prominent peaks on the other side, Sassolungo and Sassopiatto. As you gain elevation, the forest starts to thin out and at a certain point, the trail joins a dirt road. There you have the first really big view of the valley. While admiring the views though, you might hear a buzz to the side when the futuristic funicular zooms by taking tourist all the way to the top – the easy way. A couple of long switchbacks later, the trail comes out of the forest and you see the first refugio in the distance. AS you get closer, you start seeing people that took the easy way up having coffee and strudel or simply sunbathing while having a beer.
We didn’t make a stop at the refugio as that was not our intent so we continued on towards the edge of the ridge where we found a tiny church. At this point the views were simply breathtaking. On one side we could see the entire Val Gardena valley, on the other side of the valley was Alpe Suissi, our next hiking destination. To the east a clear view of the Sella Group and Seceda. To the west Ponte Gardena and more mountains. Around the church we found a big group of tourists that we quickly left behind as we climbed a bit more to Resciesa Dedora, the tip of the ridge whit a big wooden crucifix. From that point on, the trail would take us east heading towards the Ogle Group leaving tourists behind. The views only got better as we passed by one of the many places I had seen in pictures. AS you detailed the terrain, you can almost imagine the cataclysmic events that shape these mountains. Part of the terrain almost looks like it was flat at some point and a gigantic force lift it from one side making it look like it does today. As we walked, some puffy clouds started appearing giving more excitement to the scenery. Once we got to the junction with trail #9, a possible route to go back down, we stopped to eat lunch. Since the day was spectacular and we were enjoying the hike, instead of heading down, we opted for a longer route continuing east and take a different route down. The ridge was very enjoyable and the big Odle in front of us getting bigger and bigger as we got closer to it. Finally, we got to the junction with trail #5, the route we would take back down. From the junction there was a path down to Rifuguo Odle which we could see from above, and another trail that continue even further east. We took a last look at the path we had come from and could see out in the distance a little dot where the crucifix is. On our way down, we were accompanied by the incredible rock walls of Seceda painted in multiple colors. We had to jump off the trail a couple of times as mountain bikes came flying down the trail. I guess rules are a bit different and you are the one expected to get out of the trail. Finally, the trail become again an old dirt road that took us around some old houses and then the trailhead. We still had a bit over a mile to walk back home which was a bit tiring, but after enjoying a spectacular hike, we didn’t have much to complain about.
Interactive map
To see the full map, click
here
No comments:
Post a Comment