Hike to the Col dala Pieres

The hike up the Col dala Pieres is rarely crowded which means you can enjoy the tranquillity of nature. If you want to climb the Col dala Pieres, you need two things: plenty of stamina and a head for heights, as the climb is not without its challenges.

From the Brenner motorway (A22), drive through Val Gardena (SS242) until just before Selva Gardena. Immediately after the Hotel Alpenroyal (on the left-hand side of the road), turn left at the crossroads and then immediately right towards Daunei, a hamlet above Selva Gardena. Park here in the paid car park.

Val Gardena is also easily accessible by public transport. Line 350 runs every half hour from Ponte Gardena or Chiusa to Selva Gardena. Get off at the Oswald stop in the town centre. You can then take the city bus up to Daunei or extend the hike a little and start directly from Selva Gardena (approx. 30 minutes longer).

Stage 1: Daunei to the Stevia Hut

From the car park, follow the road uphill for 150 metres until you reach a flat section from where the hiking trails begin. Take marked Trail No. 17A over the so-called "Palota" to the Stevia Hut. At first, the path is moderately steep through the forest, but before long, well-maintained hairpin turns lead steeply upwards.

The view over Val Gardena improves with every metre and the many benches invite you to take a short break. You soon reach the flat meadow known as Steviola. A little later you reach Trail No. 17 and follow it up to the Stevia Hut (2,312 m). Here you can treat yourself to a longer rest before beginning the ascent to the summit of Col dala Pieres. The view is breathtaking.

Stage 2: Stevia Alp - Col dala Pieres

The hike continues across the wide meadows of the Stevia Alp. It is truly impressive how this alpine meadow stretches out above the steep rock faces: a botanical garden at 2,500 metres above sea level.

Via Trail No. 17, you first pass the Forcella della pizza (2,489 m) and continue into the scree field below the Col dala Pieres, which has a rocky structure with a rounded summit. Along a lengthy right-hand bend, you reach the first rocks. This is followed by the technically more demanding part of the hike, where surefootedness is required. The two most difficult sections are secured with a steel cable.

The path leads upwards via a few hairpin turns until you reach the flatter summit, where you will find a beautiful cross. The panoramic view over the Puez-Odle Nature Park and beyond is truly magnificent. The mighty Sella Group can be seen to the south, with the Sassolungo towering next to it. The Odle peaks (which means "needles" in Ladin) can be seen from the summit as particularly slender and impressive towers. A striking contrast to the wide Puez high plateau (tip: Puez Tour), which stretches far to the east.

Stage 3: Descent and way back

You should always allow enough time for the descent, as it is long and demanding. The most rewarding part is naturally the crossing of the mountain. However, you can also descend the same way you came up. Another alternative is the Forcella della pizza, which you passed on the way up. Trail No. 17B leads through the narrow and steep gap between imposing rock faces directly down to the Rifugio Firenze.

If, on the other hand, you want to do the traverse, descend from the summit on the north side via Trail No. 17. This leads down the steep northern flank until you reach a short exposed section of the trail just before the Forcella Forces de Sielles, which is again secured with a steel cable. Once you reach the Forcella Forces de Sielles (2,505 m), follow the path on the west side downwards (Dolomites High Trail No. 2). This leads over initially steep scree fields down to flatter terrain, which leads out onto the gentle alpine meadows of the Ncisles Alp. Once you have reached this, follow the path to the left (south) to the Rifugio Firenze.

From the Rifugio Firenze, a forest road (Trail No. 1) leads down through the forest. Follow this until you reach a small lake on the right – Lago di Blej (Tip: The most beautiful lakes and ponds in Val Gardena). Here, Trail No. 3 branches off and along a short ascent you reach the Juac Hut. You can treat yourself to one last rest at this point because you've almost made it. You will soon reach the car park above Daunei again via Trail No. 3.

On the way up, you have an impressive view of the Vallunga below the Stevia. This valley stretches about 4 kilometres into the Puez-Odle Nature Park and is completely unspoilt. If you still have fresh legs after descending from the summit of Col dala Pieres, you can descend into the Vallunga. To do this, stay on Trail No. 2 at the Sieles Scharte and climb up again. Here, there are again two passages secured with steel ropes. Via a rocky section, you reach a scree ridge that leads to the Puez high plateau.

The trail then runs flat to the east and the panorama looks like a lunar landscape. The high plateau consists mainly of Puez marl, a calcareous and fossil-rich sedimentary layer that is particularly light in colour. The western and eastern Puez peaks tower to the left and here you should keep your eyes open and not miss the turn-off to Trail No. 16 down to the right. This path leads down into the Vallunga.

Trail No. 14 leads out through the picturesque Vallunga until you reach the car park. From here, take Trail No. 26, slightly uphill, back to the car park at Daunei. If you have travelled by bus, you can hike directly from Vallunga to Selva (approx. 1 km) and take the bus at the Oswald bus stop in the village centre.

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