Where We Be
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| Adolf Munkel Trail -- Dolomites, Italy |
During our five days in Val di Funes, we spent
one of them hiking the Adolf Munkel Trail, aka
the "Via delle Odle" in Italian. This popular loop
trail is considered one of the premier hikes in
the area. It's 6 miles long, per AllTrails, and
involves about 1,525 feet of elevation gain.
The hike starts at the large paid parking lot at
Malga Zannes (€10 per day) and leads across
alpine meadows directly below the famous
sawtooth-shaped Geisler peaks. We hiked the
trail counterclockwise, tackling the steepest
parts first. Eventually we reached Geisler Alm,
the “crown jewel stop” of the trail. This refugio
features a restaurant serving traditional South
Tyrolean food -- and wooden lounge chairs
known as the "Geislerkino" (Geisler Cinema)
where you can sit in comfort and stare out at
the peaks. We were the only ones there at the
time, other than staff setting up, and we were
way too early for lunch. But the setting was
marvelous, right in the perfect spot to enjoy the
Geisler peaks. When we finished up the hike,
we enjoyed lunch at the Zanser Alm refugio
instead, which is located right at the trailhead.
one of them hiking the Adolf Munkel Trail, aka
the "Via delle Odle" in Italian. This popular loop
trail is considered one of the premier hikes in
the area. It's 6 miles long, per AllTrails, and
involves about 1,525 feet of elevation gain.
The hike starts at the large paid parking lot at
Malga Zannes (€10 per day) and leads across
alpine meadows directly below the famous
sawtooth-shaped Geisler peaks. We hiked the
trail counterclockwise, tackling the steepest
parts first. Eventually we reached Geisler Alm,
the “crown jewel stop” of the trail. This refugio
features a restaurant serving traditional South
Tyrolean food -- and wooden lounge chairs
known as the "Geislerkino" (Geisler Cinema)
where you can sit in comfort and stare out at
the peaks. We were the only ones there at the
time, other than staff setting up, and we were
way too early for lunch. But the setting was
marvelous, right in the perfect spot to enjoy the
Geisler peaks. When we finished up the hike,
we enjoyed lunch at the Zanser Alm refugio
instead, which is located right at the trailhead.
| You get quite the view from the wooden lounge chairs at the "Geisler Cinema" |
| This hike definitely deserves to be on your list if you're in the area |
| A car breaks up the cow party, but they take their time getting out of the way |
| This tree growing over an enormous boulder makes for an interesting rest stop |
| We get the distinct impression these cows stand here on purpose, just to get scratched. Certainly I'm not the only passerby who gives them some attention. |
| As we head downhill, we hear dozens of cow bells and eventually find the cows themselves, standing on (and blocking) the bridge and walking trail |
| Just beyond Geisler Alm is another refugio -- Gschnegenhardt Alm. In another hour or so, both refugios will be packed with people enjoying a meal up in the mountains. |
| The trail takes us closer and closer to the Geisler peaks before looping back towards the trailhead |
| Glorious flower box at Gschnegenhardt Alm |
| Quaint mountain huts like this one dot the landscape |
| Alan stands in front of the impressive sawtooths of the Geisler range |
| After a nice long rest, we continue on our way |
| We come to our first refugio, Dusler Alm, but it's only 8:30 in the morning and everything is closed. As a general rule, Italians are not early risers! |
| The goats at Dusler Alm are not only awake but highly curious |
| One of the best things about hiking in the Dolomites is combining a good hike with a good meal |
| We take selfies of ourselves and the local "residents" |
| Here, too, the restaurant is closed, but we're still alowed to wander around the premises |
| Before long we arrive at Geisler Alm |
| These funky wooden lounge chairs are the perfect spot to relax and take in the views |
| The widescreen views at the "Geisler Cinema" are truly panoramic |
| Troy educates us on our route using an impromptu trekking pole |
| After the initial steep climb through forest, the views start to open up |
| At the end of the hike, we found ourselves back at the parking lot and the rifugio there, called Zanser Alm |
