One of the most popular hikes in the Dolomites: Geisler Alm
When approaching the famous Villnößtal by car, you will find yourself in a “picture book landscape”. If you are lucky, you will have an absolute “Wow”-moment, when seeing the “Gruppo delle Odle” for the first time. We were lucky – for about two minutes – before the famous mountain side got covered in fluffy white clouds for the rest of the day.
Everyone knows the famous small church of St. Johann in Ranui, enthroned on a green meadow and the Gruppo delle Odle in the background. Don’t turn back as soon as you have your picture in front of the baroque chapel, but “go the extra mile” and take a hike along the surrounding alpine meadows.
Read below, how to get the best views of the Geisler Alm when hiking the “Adolf-Munkel-Weg”.
Suggested for: Beginners (normal condition needed)
Start Point: Zanser Alm
End Point: Zanser Alm
Altitude: 420 meters up, 420 meters down
Distance: 10,5 km
Duration: about 4,5 hours
Starting at the “Zanser Alm” we hiked the “Adolf-Munkel-Weg” in the direction of the “Geisler Alm”. The hike is not too demanding with little elevation. The hike leads you through a dark green pine tree forests, before you end up in front of the massive mountains of the Gruppo delle Odle.
After about 4 kilometers you arrive in front of the massive mountains of the Gruppo delle Odle. The scenery reminds you of the power of nature as huge stones are spread all over the place and the hillside was shaped by the harsh weather conditions.
Enjoy the scenery and the impressive landscape, which definitely will make you feel small and insignificant, before continuing the hike.
As soon as you leave this amazing view point, you will find yourself again in green forests. But whenever the trees clear, the impressive mountains will dominate the landscape.
Most of the times, you wish for good weather when visiting that kind of places, but for the Geisler Alm, bad weather is not necessarily a bad thing.
I mean…look at how the mountains stick out of those fluffy clouds.
After about two kilometers distance and 100 meters of elevation, the forest finally clears and the Geisler Alm opens up. Do not forget to look back and enjoy yet another awesome perspective of the Gruppo olle delle.
Enjoy a hot drink and a piece of cake at the “Geisler Alm” before heading back to the starting point of the hike.
Also do not miss the Edelweiß bed close by the hut and to not miss to….
….say ”Hi” to those cuties!
The way back to the start point at the Zanser Alm mainly leads you downhill through the forests.
After round about 4,5 kilometers you will reach the parking lots at the Zanser Alm.
We started at the Zanser Alm and did the circuit clockwise. I would suggest to do it counterclockwise. You will have the better views of the Gruppo delle Odle as you do not have to turn around while heading to the Geisler Alm.
- Johann in Ranui (Please consider, that the church is on private ground and pay respect to the privacy of the people living here.)
- Panoramic Street SP29 between Villnöß and Brixen (see following section)
When driving from the Villnößtal into the direction of Bruneck you can either take the highway via Brixen or the more panoramic SP29. You can reach the street via the SP163, which starts at the village of Villnöß.
When driving uphill, you have an unbeatable panoramic view of the Villnöß Valley including the famous church of St. Johann in Ranui, framed by the Gruppo delle Odle.
When heading into the direction of St. Martin in Thurn you will pass by an amazing alpine landscape including waterfalls and rugged mountainsides.
Please be aware that the street is partly – as many streets in the dolomites – narrow. Make sure, that you drive your car with care.
