The history of the Earth, up close: The Geotrail in Puflatsch offers a fascinating insight into bygone days and the 252 million years of the Dolomite history. This leisurely route leads along the northerly slope of the Bullaccia and the Panider Sattel to Pufels/Puflatsch and back again. Amateur geologists of all ages will be in their element: Segmentation and stratification of the Earth’s layers have created the surrounding landscape as we know it today, and traces of eras long-past can still be seen in abundance. The route also offers breathtaking views of the surrounding Dolomite panorama and the Val Gardena/ Gröden Valley. Information boards line the trail, providing hikers with a wealth of fascinating facts about the Dolomites as they channel their own spirit of exploration.

Start the walk from the valley station of Seceda cable car. The path opposite the station, at the end of the parking lot, will take you over a small, wooden bridge crossing the Anna streamlet. Follow the gurgling trail through the forest until you come across a refreshing Kneipp trail, benches and hammocks. A tempting pocket of relaxation and wellbeing. After around 20 minutes cross another bridge, from where you’ll spot a large children’s playground on the right. Continue on a forest path until the end of the valley, and return on the same path.

The old mills of Bulla, a hamlet situated above Ortisei, were built in the 18th-19th century and were used to grind the locally grown cereals. The hike starts from the bus stop in Bulla and follows the steep street to the farmhouses Tuene and Kontot, follow the trail 3A until you get to a street. Take the street upward for 300 meters and then turn left downhill along the rill to the mills. The path continues in direction of the church and brings you again to the bus stop.

The Col Raiser gondola is where it all starts: an exciting hike in the heart of the Puez-Odle Nature Park. Leave the mountain station behind you and follow a forest path to the recently built Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Terrace, Mastlé-S. Cristina/Val Gardena. The path winds its way below the imposing vertical Fermeda towers, leading hikers first to the typical Pieralongia mountain pasture and then to the Seceda mountain pasture located at a higher altitude. From here, continue on the Mastlé mountain pasture back to the starting point.

The Alpe di Seceda is located on the sunny side of Val Gardena, at the foot of the Parco Naturale Cisles-Odle (nature reserve), part of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage and represents an ideal base for hikes and climbing tours.

At the top station of the cable car you can enjoy a marvellous view of almost the entire South Tyrol as well as of the mountains in Trentino, Lombardy and Austria. Last but not least, you can admire the breathtaking peaks of the nearby Dolomites, of course: from the Tofane, the Sciliar and the Sella Massif to the Sassolungo and the “pearl” of the Dolomites, the “Marmolada”.

From the Seceda summit you can enjoy a wonderful view of the Dolomites and of all the mountains in South Tyrol – from Ortles to Großglockner (Austria).