Two days in Sopra-Bolzano recovering from jet lag. Our first view of the Dolomites.
The cable car is a great way to reach Sopra Bolzano. Catch a train to the valley town of Bolzano and then the cable car which departs every few minuutes and takes 12 minutes to make the journey. Great views down the valley as it make the vertical climb of 950 m.
The Hotel Latimer adjacent to the only modern church we saw in the Dolomites
We were supposed to be resting but took a short walk to the village of Collalbo with the intention of catching the rail motor back. Somehow that didn't eventuate with the slow day morphing into a >20 km walk. One of the more colorful shrines on the way.
The Natural Earth Pyramids at Renon, Ritten with Longostagno village in the distance
Longostagno village
An exciting bus ride from Bolzano took us to the mountain village of Kastelruth, the real start of our Dolomites adventure (Day 0)
The clock tower and its resident bell happened to be in the main square of Kastelruth, as was our hotel. Luckily it stopped marking the hours at 10 pm although started again at 6 am.
Relaxing in the village square
We quickly learnt that the tradition in these parts is for ornate cast iron grave markers
Heading out of Kastelruth on a 20 km walk to the villages of Seis, Vols and St Konstantin (Day 1)
Didn't get far before a rest was required-still looking at Kastelruth
Still a bit frisky, she will settle down eventually
Our first of many churches. This one was particularly nice, in a field overlooking the village of Seis and dominated by the Dolomites.
It was locked...one small gap allowed a photo to be taken, but only in the prayer position (Photo Jo Christensen)
Onwards to Seis
A breather in the pretty village of Seis
Santner Peak dominates the walk out of Sies
A relaxed start to the day
Laghetto dei Fie, a popular local spot for swimming, boating and sunbaking
Heading through the manicured pastures to the village of Vols
Vols
Enjoying the excellent walking tracks and the views around Vols
Church of St Konstantin
Adornment above the entrance to the church
Between a rock and a hard place
Back to Kastelruth
Kastelruth to Compatsch was only an 11 km walk but with a 1000 m vertical ascent near the start which got the heart pumping. The view about two thirds of the way up, looking back over Kastelruth was well worth the effort though (Day 2)
Made it to the top, now which way. The rest of the short walk was all downhill to the alpine sports village of Compatsch (Photo Jo Christensen).
From our hotel in Compatsch we could almost see our destination for the day. Refugio Bolzano was just over the crest of the hills in front of us and accessed by the Sentiero dei Turisti path which took us from around 1700 m altitude up to 2563 m (Day 3, 18 km)
Striding out across the pastures
Those hills are still in front and the path now visible
Prossliner Hutte, our first coffee stop
On the plateau with Rifugio Bolzano in the distance. Another good coffee stop.
A scene from Alfred Hitchcocks movie 'Birds'
Stunning views of the Dolomites
On day 4 we headed out of Compatsch on our way to the village of Saltria via the Robzahne Gap (between the jagged peaks in the distance) and Tierser Alpl Hutte, a great walk of 14 km.
Heading up to Tierser Gap, a breathtaking climb
The view at the top was worth the short-term pain. Follow the path downhill to the right for a coffee at Tierser Alpl Hutte .
Our direction of travel for the remainder of the walk to Saltria
The mountain views were amazing
Our long an winding track
Dialer Mountain Chapel on the way to Saltria
View towards Saltria
The Sport Hotel Floralpina in Saltria was the best accommodation of our walk, and that shouldn't be construed as a criticism of the others, this place was just outstanding (https://www.floralpina.com/en/here-we-are.html)
We headed up into the Dolomites again on Day 5 with the aim of reaching Langkofel Hutte at 2253 m ASL, a 14 km round trip from Saltria. It was a good day of walking, plenty of uphill challenges and great scenery.
Zallinger Chapel was built in 1857
Walking around Plattkofel mountain on the way to Muemeltier and Langkofel Huttes
Drinks before the last push to Langkofel
Langkofel Hutte is in sight
Langkofel Hutte. Great spot for a well earned coffee.
Looking back to where we had just come. The Sassolungo mountain group with Langkofel Hutte is located in the middle background
Looking back on the way down to Saltria
Contented cows in a magical setting
Almost home
Out aim for Day 6 was to scale Plattkofel. This was going to be the most challenging walk of the week. However, on throwing (or maybe just drawing) the curtains back on a new day it was very obvious that we may need to change our plans. While the snow (in September) wasn't heavy it was enough for us to reconsider our plans given that we are not experienced in walking in snow at altitude and on slopes like those above. Discretion was the better part....we did walk in the snow but at a lower altitude, heading from Saltria to Zallinger Hutte for a coffee, across to the Dialer Chapel, and then downhill to Molignon Mountain Hutte for lunch before completing the loop back to Saltria.
Plattkofel
Heading above the snowline
Zallinger Mounain Chapel
After a coffe recharge it is off across the slope to Dialer Chapel
Dialer Chapel, a very different scene from that on Day 4
Molignon Mountain Hutte
View from Molignon
The sun sets on our walk. Saltria.
