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The final day is the longest stage of the 5-Day Puez-Odle Altopiano hut-to-hut trek. It was supposed to be a 10.5 km hike but turned into 17.5 km due to a route diversion. We needed to amend our route as Forcella Pana (Panascharte) – a col reached over a scree field – was closed due to rockfall.
NOTE: Before setting off, it’s important to check the current status of Forcella Pana (Panascharte) with local sources. If it remains closed, follow the route and instructions provided in this article. However, if the pass has reopened, you have the option to ascend Forcella Pana (Panascharte), which leads to Seceda. From there, you can continue the hike via Rifugio Firenze (Regensburger Hütte) before making your way back to Vallunga (Langental).
Consequently, taking the detour around the Geisler peaks brings you to the Furnes cable car station, an intermediate stop between Ortisei (St. Ulrich) and Seceda, conveniently shaving off 700 metres of elevation gain (already factored in the stats below).
Following your visit to Seceda, you’ll continue southeast, passing several alpine huts like Rifugio Firenze (Regensburger Hütte), before ultimately returning to the car park at Vallunga (Langental).
This guide details Day 5 of our counter-clockwise 5-Day Puez-Odle (Puez-Geisler) Altopiano hut-to-hut trek, featuring stats, maps, and photos.
For a comprehensive overview of the entire 5-Day hike, see our article titled Puez-Odle Altopiano: A Multi-Day Hut-to-Hut Hike in the Dolomites.
Rifugio Malga Brogles to Vallunga Hiking Stats
Start: Rifugio Malga Brogles (Brogleshütte)
Finish: Vallunga (Langental)
Distance: 17.60 km
Moving Time: 3 h 25 min
Elapsed Time: 5 h 25 min
Ascent: 350 m (+ 700 m by cable car)
Descent: 1,600 m
Minimum Elevation: 1619 m
Maximum Elevation: 2478 m
Map: Tabacco 05 – Val Gardena – Alpe di Siusi / Groden – Seiseralm
Puez-Odle Altopiano Hike Day 5: Rifugio Malga Brogles to Vallunga – Elevation Profile
READ MORE: Puez-Odle Altopiano: A Multi-Day Hut-to-Hut Hike in the Dolomites
Rifugio Malga Brogles to Vallunga Hiking Guide
Rifugio Malga Brogles to Furnes Cable Car Station
From Rifugio Malga Brogles (Brogleshütte), take path no. 5 straight ahead towards Ortisei (St. Ulrich). The sign-post indicates a walking time of approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes. After about 10 minutes, you’ll reach a fork in the path. Turn left here to continue on path no. 5, which traverses over grassy terrain.
Thirty minutes and a few stream crossings later, you’ll see a sign-post for the cable car station to Seceda. This is the Furnes cable-car station, the mid-station between Ortisei (St. Ulrich) and Seceda. Continue on path no. 5 until you reach a junction after about 35 minutes.
At the junction, take path no. 8 for the Furnes cable car station. The ride takes about 5-10 minutes.
Furnes Cable Car Station to Seceda
At Furnes, hop on the cable car to Seceda, saving yourself a hefty 700 metres of elevation gain. Check the official Seceda website for opening hours and prices.
Seceda
As you exit the Seceda cable car station, the viewing platform is located straight ahead. Take a leisurely 10-15 minute stroll to reach this vantage point, where you’ll be rewarded with world-renowned, breathtaking Seceda photo opportunities.
From the Seceda viewing platform, a scenic ridge-line walk awaits. This path leads all the way to Forcella Pana (Panascharte) – the very col we would have ascended from Rifugio Malga Brogles, had fate (and falling rocks!) not intervened.
Seceda to Rifugio Firenze
After soaking up the sights at Seceda, follow path no. 1 for a relaxing downhill stroll to Rifugio Firenze (Regensburger Hütte). This gentle descent takes about an hour, bringing you back from the heights and offering scenic views along the way.
Keep an eye out for Baita Troier Hütte shortly after leaving Seceda – your last chance for food and refreshments before reaching Rifugio Firenze (Regensburger Hütte).
After another 30 minutes on path no. 1, you’ll reach Rifugio Firenze (Regensburger Hütte), a great place to rest your legs and refuel before continuing your hike.
But first, the trail brings you to the Dolomites UNESCO Viewpoint Mastle (Dolomites UNESCO Welterbeterasse Mastle).
Dolomites UNESCO Viewpoint Mastle (Dolomites UNESCO Welterbeterasse Mastle): The Dolomites are part of the UNESCO world heritage since 2009.
The UNESCO viewing platform on the Alpe Mastlé in S. Cristina has been built as one of the 7 Viewing platforms in South Tyrol at a particularly beautiful viewing point.
Each position of a viewing platform has been selected due to its peculiar geological and scenic aspect of the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites.
Source: https://outdoor.valgardena.it/en/
Leaving the Dolomites UNESCO Viewpoint Mastle behind, continue along path no. 1 for a gentle 20-minute descent. You’ll soon find yourself approaching Rifugio Firenze (Regensburger Hütte).
Rifugio Firenze (Regensburger Hütte) nestles in a picture-perfect spot amidst the Dolomites. Towering peaks, lush meadows, and panoramic views surround this idyllic mountain hut.
After five days of exploring the Dolomites with a challenging hut-to-hut hike, a hearty lunch at Rifugio Firenze (Regensburger Hütte) fuelled us for the final push back to Vallunga (Langental). The beef steak with Bratkartoffeln (roast potatoes) hit the spot perfectly.
Rifugio Firenze to Vallunga
Paths 1-3 guide your final descent. Lush meadows transform into a scenic pebbled track, offering contrasting landscapes as you return to Vallunga (Langental).
After passing a little pond, continue on path no. 3 towards Selva (Wolkenstein).
Even with further descent, the meadows unfurl below, offering breathtaking panoramas.
Rifugio Juac, your last chance for refreshments before Vallunga (Langental), will come into view soon. We gave it a miss, still full from our big lunch at Rifugio Firenze (Regensburger Hütte).
After Rifugio Juac, stick to path no. 3 towards Selva (Wolkenstein).
After a leisurely 30-minute walk, you’ll arrive at a fork in the path. Here, you’ll need to take path 17A towards Selva (Wolkenstein).
Back to civilisation! The first glimpse of the houses in Daunei nr. Selva di Gardena (Wolkenstein) jolted me back to reality, a stark contrast to the serene mountain trails we’d traversed.
For the final stretch back to Vallunga (Langental), pick up path number 26B.
Despite our best efforts to follow the map, we managed to miss the turn-off for the Parcheggio Vallunga (Langental) car park. This wasn’t entirely new territory for us, and with a bit of bushwhacking déjà vu, we found ourselves back on the right track (literally!). Emerging from the foliage, guess what greeted us? Our car, parked perfectly right in front of us! Talk about a fortuitous shortcut! 🙂
Where to stay near Selva (Wolkenstein)
We opted for a self-catering apartment at a small farm in Ortisei (St. Ulrich). Pradac offered spacious and clean accommodations, comfortably sleeping up to five people, making it ideal for families or groups.
While Ortisei (St. Ulrich) is convenient, Selva di Gardena (Wolkenstein) offers a closer base for exploring Passo Sella (Sellajoch) and beyond, saving you about 30 minutes round trip on travel days. Affordable stays in Val Gardena (Grödnertal) fill up fast, so book in advance!
Overview of the 5-Day Puez-Odle Altopiano Hike
Day 1: Vallunga (Langental) to Rifugio Puez (Puez Hütte)
Day 2: Rifugio Puez (Puez Hütte) to Rifugio Genova (Schlüterhütte)
Day 3: Rifugio Genova (Schlüterhütte) to Sass de Putia (Peitlerkofel) and back
Day 4: Rifugio Genova (Schlüterhütte) to Rifugio Malga Brogles via the Adolf-Munkel-Weg trail
Day 5: Rifugio Malga Brogles (Brogleshütte) to Vallunga (Langental) via Seceda
What do Alpine Huts Provide?
- Accommodation: Most mountain huts offer dormitory-style sleeping arrangements with bunk beds or single beds. Some also provide private rooms for couples or small groups.
- Meals: Meals are typically available, including breakfast, lunch and dinner, often featuring hearty mountain cuisine. Packed lunches for day hikes can often be arranged.
- Beverages: Huts serve a variety of beverages, including hot and cold drinks, soft drinks, and alcoholic ones.
- Shower and Toilet Facilities: Huts have bathroom facilities, including showers and toilets. Typically, there is an additional fee for hot showers.
- Blankets and Bedding: Mountain huts typically provide duvets/blankets and pillows, eliminating the need for you to carry your own sleeping bag. However, you will need to bring your own sleeping bag liner/travel sheet. I have a cotton sleeping bag liner while the kids have a super-light silk sleeping bag liner.
- Electricity and Charging: Some huts offer electricity for charging devices like phones and cameras, but it’s not a guarantee. Be prepared with portable chargers if needed.
- Resupplying Essentials: You can often purchase basic necessities like snacks, drinks, and toiletries at mountain huts. Prices are higher due to the remote locations.
- Information: Hut staff can provide information about the trail conditions, weather forecasts, and hiking routes in the area.
Packing List for Hut to Hut Hiking in the Dolomites
Surprisingly, you don’t need to pack as much as you might think for a multi-day hike in the Dolomites. You can purchase all the food in the mountain huts, including a packed lunch. I carried a 30L day pack, while my kids each had an 11L day pack.
Pack one set of evening clothes for use in the mountain huts, a spare set of hiking clothes (consider adding extra t-shirts if you prefer), a spare pair of hiking socks, the bare minimum of underwear that you can manage with comfortably, rain gear, pyjamas, a sleeping bag liner, water-proof slippers to wear inside the mountain huts (as hiking boots are not allowed in the dorms), essential toiletries, and a micro-fibre travel towel. The most important items to aid your sleep will be a pair of ear plugs and an eye mask.
Additionally, include trekking or walking poles, a first aid kit with necessary medications, a sun hat, a buff or warm hat, gloves, a water bladder or water bottle, high-altitude sunglasses, a head torch,a map, a compass, and a dry bag.
Pro Tip: A set of thin thermals make for great light-weight and warm pyjamas.
Resources
I planned our multi-day hut-to-hut hike around the Puez-Odle (Puez-Geisler) Altopiano with the help of Cicerone’s guidebook, “Walking in the Dolomites: 25 Multi Day Routes in Italy’s Dolomites”. Other guidebooks that inspired our 3.5-week road trip to the Dolomites included those from Rough Guide and Lonely Planet. For day hikes and Via Ferrata, I used the following guides:
- Cicerone: Shorter Walks in the Dolomites: 50 varied Day Walks in the Mountains
- Cicerone: Day Walks in the Dolomites: 50 short walks and all-day hikes in the Italian Dolomites
- Cicerone: Via Ferratas of the Italian Dolomites Vol 1: 75 routes – north, central and east ranges
FAQs
How long does the Rifugio Malga Brogles to Vallunga hike take?
The hike from Rifugio Malga Brogles to Vallunga (Langental) can be completed in approximately 5.5 hours, including breaks for taking in the panoramic views and enjoying a delicious meal at a Rifugio. For those looking to focus solely on walking time, expect to spend roughly 3.5 hours on the move.
How challenging is the Rifugio Malga Brogles to Vallunga hike?
The 17.5 km hike from Rifugio Malga Brogles (Brogleshütte) to Vallunga is of moderate difficulty, thanks to the cable car ride bypassing Forcella Pana (Panascharte). Mostly downhill on easy terrain, it’s ideal for all hikers seeking a scenic, longer-distance trek.
Do you need a guide for the Rifugio Malga Brogles to Vallunga hike?
A guide is not essential for the Rifugio Malga Brogles to Vallunga hike. The paths are well-marked and easy to follow, making it a great option for experienced hikers comfortable with self-navigation.
Can you undertake the Rifugio Malga Brogles to Vallunga hike with kids in tow?
Absolutely! The Rifugio Malga Brogles to Vallunga hike can be a great option for families with children. This section is often considered one of the easiest stages of the entire 5-day Puez-Odle Altopiano hike. The well-maintained trails and mostly downhill terrain make it suitable for younger hikers with a good level of stamina. If you’re planning this hike with kids, consider their ages and experience with longer walks. My kids were 10 & 13 years old on this 5-day hut-to-hut hike.
When is the best time to hike from Rifugio Malga Brogles to Vallunga?
The best time to tackle the hike from Rifugio Malga Brogles to Vallunga is typically between mid-June and late September/early October. These months offer ideal conditions: snow-free trails for safe passage and mountain huts operating, providing opportunities for rest, refreshments, and scenic breaks.
Remember, each Rifugio has its own opening and closing dates, so researching their schedules beforehand is crucial for planning your route and rest stops effectively.
Final Words
The final stage of our 5-day Puez-Odle Altopiano hike presented a last-minute challenge: the closure of Forcella Pana.
Thankfully, other hikers and the Rifugio staff assisted us the night before in finding an alternative route.
The next morning, we set off, skirting the base of the Seceda peaks before needing a cable car ride up to Seceda itself. While my youngest was initially reluctant to take the cable car, considering it a cheat, we all enjoyed the panoramic views at Seceda as well as the gentle hike downhill to Vallunga afterwards.
Spotting houses again for the first time in five days, my first thought was, “Back to civilization!” – a stark contrast to the serene trails we’d traversed.
We had completed our first hut-to-hut hike and somehow, I’d kept everyone alive… While we felt sad leaving such beauty behind, we were also excited for the next three unforgettable weeks that awaited us in the Dolomites.
The Puez-Odle Altopiano hike, meticulously chosen after researching 25 multi-day options in the Dolomites, proved to be the perfect fit for our first alpine hut-to-hut adventure. It offered a range of challenges throughout, creating an epic experience.
Happy Hiking!
RELATED POSTS
- Puez-Odle Altopiano: A Multi-Day Hut-to-Hut Hike in the Dolomites
- Puez-Odle Altopiano Hike | Day 1: Vallunga to Rifugio Puez, Dolomites
- Puez-Odle Altopiano Hike | Day 2: Rifugio Puez to Rifugio Genova, Dolomites
- Puez-Odle Altopiano Hike | Day 3: Sass de Putia (Peitlerkofel), Dolomites
- Puez-Odle Altopiano Hike | Day 4: Adolf-Munkel-Weg Trail, Dolomites
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