Italy: Val di Funes

On our day of departure from Bolzano, the weather was better, so we went for a planned hike. The idea is to head up Val di Funes by (valley) by bus to the Zannes parking lot. Then walk a part of the Adolf Munkel Weg which is a trail at the southern base of the Odle Group, along the edge of the scree. There are numerous permutations. We opted for one going by the three farmsteads(alms)/mountain huts/refugios.

On the way back to Bolzano, we stopped in Brixen to switch from bus to train. While Brixen shared a similar fortune as Bolzano, Brixen was the seat of the bishopric and has more medieval vestiges than Bolzano, therefore more atmospheric. We could have based ourselves in Brixen.

Beginning the day at the Bolzano Railway Station. We will ride this very red OBB Austrian Railway train north to Brixen, then bus east to Zannes.


In this part of Italy, there are many small, industrial sawmills like this one we spotted from the bus.




And more than several modern commercial apple orchards.


At the Zannes bus stop we see some high jagged stone peaks in the distance. Woohoo!


And in a few minutes the southern face of the Odle Group is right above us.




At Malga Glatsch Mountain Hut we turn left towards the Odle Group.






Fairy tale mushrooms.


The trail along the edge of the scree.






Near the Malga Gschnagenhardt Alpine Hut




Cathedral of Brixen with frescoes and cloister. Look for an ostrich in the one fresco.








And we headed home to Bolzano via the Brexin Railway Station (below).