The realm of the volcanoes

The dirt road and the descent start by the Tierser Alpl Hut (signposted Mahlknechthütte, etc.). At the first junction (signposted Duron – no path number) go straight ahead on a narrow dirt road to the next fork (signposted Passo Duron). This is the Mahlknechtjoch or Duron Pass and the first geological stop (GEOSTOP G) of the day.

Take a left (no signs or markings) until you reach a small sign with the words “Mahlknecht Hütte” by the fence. Take the dirt road downhill to the little Dialer Chapel. Continue right and shortly afterwards right again onto Path no. 7 (Zallinger Hut). First go along a dirt road past a large pasture hut, then follow the narrowing path to where it joins a dirt road. Continue right on Path no. 7 (Zallinger Hütte) and upwards via the dirt road until Path no. 7 soon branches off left (GEOSTOP H).

First cross the meadows of the high pastures, then proceed through the forest to the next fork, located in a clearing. Turn right in the direction of the Stampfer Schwaige. From here follow the dirt road that joins the road up to the Zallinger Hut. Past the Zallinger Hut continue along the road and at the subsequent fork go straight ahead towards the top station of the Florian lift and the Williams Hut. Just below the hut, turn off the road to the right and descend via Path no. 7A, partly over the ski slope, in the direction of Saltria until the path joins a road.

Proceed left to the bus stop and follow the asphalt road briefly to the Hotel Saltria, where several signs show the next section of the way. Take the access road past the hotel (Path no. 9 – top station of the Ortisei gondola) and cross the pastures of the Grosses Moos in the direction of the Schgaguler-Schwaige Hut. Behind the Sporthotel Sonne, situated below the Schgaguler-Schwaige Hut, take a right via Path no. 15 and descend to Ortisei.

If you want to shorten the tour, head up to the top station of the cable car (approx. 20 minutes) and take this down to Ortisei.