Hiking (mountain trail, in places narrow and exposed)
Alpine route (equipped or very exposed section, snow field, blocks)
R29
Seekofelhütte / Rifugio Biella » St. Martin in Gsies / S. Martino in Casies
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4h10 |
26.5 km
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54 m
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1146 m
Climb downhill eastward over the Törlscharte ridge near the Seekofel Hut (2,327m) to the "Nabiges Loch“ valley floor. Then continue to the Pragser Wildsee lake at approx. 1,500m; this brings you to a section of the dolomites high altitude trail no. 1. Now, follow a 12km route over the level terrain of the Pragser valley to Welsberg. From here, you can take the regular bus into the Gsieser Tal Valley.
Walk over the “Törl”, a pass with a wayside shrine (2,388m) to the east below the Ofenmauer to reach the ravine-like Nabige Loch valley and then continue northward to reach the Prags Wildsee lake, which lies at the feet of the 1,400 metre-high north face of the Seekofel. The water at approx. 1,500m still harbours the legend of the drowned kingdom of the Fanes kings. From the pass to the lake, there is a descent of around 900 metres in altitude. Care must be taken around the Nabige Loch area at approx. 2,000m, as the trail becomes rather narrow in parts. Until this point, the hike constantly takes the route of dolomite ridge trail no. 1. Next, the hiking trail leads around the left shore of the lake past the Prags Wildsee hotel (the first accommodation possibility since the Seekofel Hut) out into Prags valley, which veers southward from the upper Pustertal valley between the villages of Welsberg and Niederdorf and which (seen from the north) splits after Außerprags into a western and an eastern arm. Keep following the markings for trail no. 1 on a 6km walk partly through lush high-alpine forest to reach Schmieden, the main town. After this comes another 6km on Shanks’s pony, alternating between woodland and level forest or asphalt roads, before coming to a rather monotonous stretch of the trail (no. 2a) to reach the community of Welsberg with 2,500 inhabitants (approx. 1,090m) in the Pustertal valley. From here, the day’s stage can be shortened by using the regular bus service and heading to St. Martin (1,276m) in the Gsieser valley. In the section from the Prags Wildsee lake to the Pustertal valley, use of a map is recommended as the route is not obvious and the trail type changes constantly. On reaching Welsberg, there is a difficult walk from the village centre on trail no. 2a to the opposite side of the valley. (Stefan Illmer, Karin Leichter, AVS)
Natural and cultural heritage
On this stage, Via Alpina leaves the dolomites behind and leads into the mountains north of the Pustertal valley. From a geological angle, you are therefore crossing the border between the central and southern alps, the so-called “Pustertal line“. Overall, this dividing line is referred to as the Periadriatic line and represents a significant seismic line. The Fanes-Sennes-Prags nature park offers nature lovers an inexhaustible wealth of natural monuments whose preservation should be of importance to all. The park in the “kingdom of the pale mountains” owes its great charm to the bizarre rock formations of the peaks and also to the most beautiful natural lakes in South Tyrol and extremely rich and interesting flora and fauna. Embedded in the area of the Fanes-Sennes-Prags nature park and in the unique mountain world of the Prags dolomites lies Prags valley, opening out towards the south. The administrative centre is Schmieden. Today, a traditional farming locality with the three separate communities of Außerprags, Innerprags and St. Veit lives in a natural landscape with an incomparable plant and animal world. Mighty dolomite peaks offering numerous hiking and climbing tours of all levels of difficulty rise up between the water of the Wildsee lake that closes off the valley and the mountain meadows in the Plätzwiese holiday resort. The alpine terrain is therefore an inviting place for mountaintop experiences and panoramic vantage points. Churches and chapels are an important component in Tyrolean culture. As it was the custom in earlier days to erect at least one chapel in each hamlet, numerous religious buildings are situated in the surrounding area. In Prags alone there are two churches and seven chapels. The Pustertal valley is the third biggest valley community in South Tyrol and plays a significant role in cultural and business life. This diagonal alpine valley runs along the south side of the main alpine ridge for about 60km in an east-west direction and begins (on Italian territory) at Innichen, then continuing westward until reaching the Brixen basin. Due to the high-altitude location (climbing from 750m above sea level), there are no very densely populated areas. The landscape is thus predominantly covered by meadows, arable land and above all large coniferous forests. These are interrupted by villages and settlements and scattered mountain farmsteads. The Bruneck basin accommodating the main town of the Pustertal valley is an exception, and represents the economic and cultural centre of this countryside area. As in many other alpine valleys, tourism is the most important economic sector in the Pustertal. (Stefan Illmer, Karin Leichter, AVS)
Other long-distance trails and alternative routes
The dolomites high altitude trail no. 1 leads from the Pragser Wildsee lake in 8 daily stages to Belluno (marked with a blue triangle bearing the number 1), also taking in the Seekofel mountains. We take the trail section in the opposite direction, i.e. from the Seekofel Hut over the pass down to the Nabiges Loch and on until reaching the northern end of the Pragser Wildsee.
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.
Carsten - 2022-01-10
(2) The app AllTrails has 32km and 1000m elevation gain for R29 -- it seems to divert to hiking trails, including a significant climb (in the direction of R30) after Welsberg; it should be possible to rather than complete R29 and descend to St. Martin switch to (some kilometers into) R30. (St. Martin seems a perfectly arbitrary stage between two sections.) See the app Maps.me for bypassing St. Martin even when following the Via Alpina GPS data. If walking R29 from Prasg Wildsee roughly in accordance with the GPS coordinates, then enter "Karbach" or "Galfall Alm" into Maps.me to avoid a couple of kilometers of detour to St Martin (and a corresponding road walk).
In case of bad weather: The app Maps.me has a low-level route suggestion, mostly off-road, for a 33km walk from Welsberg to the Talstation in R33 (or a 38km walk with an ascent towards the end of R33).
Carsten - 2022-01-10
(1) No water on the alternative approach to the Seekofelhuette for the last hour, none at the Seekofelhuette, none on the regular descent, none at the Prags Wildsee. First water c. 30min after Prags Wildsee, 5 meters from the trail, passing a parking lot behind an older large hotel: The typical pipe continuously dispensing water into a trough. Three such outlets in Schmieden, several in Welsberg.
Resupply: Schmieden has a Despar, Welsberg a Coop. (Both were closed on Sunday.)
The app Maps.me displays the detailed way to St. Martin (25km from Prags Wildsee). Trail 1 to Schmieden, 2A continuing to Welsberg, then the Talblickweg to St. Martin; all except the first are bicycle paths, typically but not always asphalt.
I enjoyed getting a feeling for the distance between the Dolomites and what comes next, but would, on second thought, seriously consider taking the bus from Prags Wildsee (every 30min) to Welsberg, followed by a bus to St. Martin.
Lolo - 2019-07-24
J'ai pris le bus 441 à Monguelfo (2€50, toutes les heures rondes) pour finir cette étape à St Martin pour éviter les 12 derniers km.
Hotel Kircherwirt 60€ 1/2 pension. Très bien.
Automatic translation
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I took the 441 bus to Monguelfo (2 € 50, all round hours) to finish this stage in St Martin to avoid the last 12 km. Hotel Kircherwirt 60 € 1/2 board. Very well.
Potos marcheurs - 2018-08-05
Cette étape me parait irréaliste. Il faut descendre de Biella avant d'entamer les 27 km de plat avec pas mal de macadam jusqu'à saint Martin. Prendre le bus à lago deBraies ou couper l'étape en dormant à Smiedden.
Automatic translation
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This step seems to me unrealistic. It is necessary to go down from Biella before starting the 27 km of flat with a lot of macadam until Saint Martin. Take the bus to Lago de Braies or cut the stage while sleeping in Smiedden.
POPEYE GG - 2018-06-13
4 juiillet 2017
Du Rifugio Biella, je suis parti sur Cocodain, que j'avais raté hier, et je ne regrette pas, c'est minéral à souhait!
Je suis donc repassé par une même partie de chemin que la veille, puis descente sur Lago di Braies, aménagée. On retrouve au lac beaucoup de monde!
Descente jusqu'à Monfuelgo, puis bus pendant les 11 derniers km, pour échapper à la route.
Difficulté de trouver un hébergement à San Martino in Casies, où pourtant il y a plusieurs hôtels.
Finalement, trouvé au superbe hôtel Waldruhe (qui porte bien son nom, c'est calme!), à recommander, et eux au moins acceptent la carte Visa!
Automatic translation
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4 july 2017 From Rifugio Biella, I left on Cocodain, that I had missed yesterday, and I do not regret, it's mineral wish! So I was ironed by the same part of the way that the day before, then down on Lago di Braies, arranged. There are many people in the lake! Descent to Monfuelgo, then bus for the last 11 km to escape the road. Difficult to find accommodation in San Martino in Casies, where however there are several hotels. Finally, found at the beautiful hotel Waldruhe (which is aptly named, it's quiet!), To recommend, and they at least accept the Visa card!
followed the Talblickweg between Welsberg and Kargruben (near S.Martino), the GPS track is just a straight line between Welsberg and S. Martino and this hiking/biking path avoids walking on a busy road.
Hannes - 2016-11-22
Habe halt im Gsiesertal gemacht. Habe in der Mountain Residence Montana gewohnt. Wurde in St. Martin am Ende der Wanderung abgeholt und am nächsten morgen wieder zum Ausgangspunkt der nächsten Wanderung gebracht. Die Residence kann man Empfehlen.
Mountain Residence Montana
www.app-montana.it
Automatic translation
[Google]
Have just made in the Gsiesertal. I stayed at the Mountain Residence Montana. Was picked up in St. Martin at the end of the hike and the next morning brought back to the starting point of the next hike. The Residence can be recommended. Mountain Residence Montana www.app-montana.it
In St Martin, behind the church there are two Gasthofen. I stayed at the Kircherwirt (E43 HP pp) which I can recommend. While you eat your 4-dishes dinner on the terrace you can have a last look at the Dolomites, which now seem so far away... Opposite to the bus-stop there is a tourist office. I was told that around August everything in and around St Martin is full.
From the Pragser Wildsee to Schmieden the track leads through forests. Along the way are interesting information panels about the Dolimites. From Schmieden the track follows an asphalted cycle-road that I found very boring. I recommend tot take the hourly bus from Schmieden to Wellsberg. Then take another hourly bus from Wellsberg tot St Martin (20 mins ride). The busride is interesting because in circles through all the villages in the valley.
Elisabeth - 2012-12-09
Ici on parle du lac de Braiès plutôt que Prags. Après le le lac, le sentier n° 1 est dévié (travaux routiers) au niveau de St-Veit où il faut suivre la route. Il y a un arrêt de bus à St-Veit. Le bus dessert Niederdorf où il vaut mieux prendre le train pour Welsberg. A la gare de Welsberg, le bus du matin pour S. Martino in Casies part à 9h.
Automatic translation
[Google]
Here we speak of the lake rather than breeches Prags. After the lake, trail no one is deflected (roadworks) at St. Veit which must follow the road. There is a bus stop in St-Veit. The bus service Niederdorf where better to take the train to Welsberg. A station Welsberg the morning bus to S. Martino in Casies hand at 9am.
Jean-Louis GIRAUD - 2012-03-29
Arrivé à SAN MARTINO VAL CASIES, au terme de l'étape R29, j'ai trouvé un hotel à proximité de la vallée de Karbachtal dont la montée, demain, fera l'essentiel de l'étape ...
Accueil trés agréable dans un bel établissement avec des prestations de grande qualité et un prix trés abordable...Aprés négociations ! En ce début juillet 2011 l'hotel était trés peu rempli. Se lever tot et prendre le temps d'apprecier le buffet...
HOTEL WALDRUHE
Fam. SCHALLER
I-39030 SAN MARTINO VAL CASIES
Tel 00 39 (0)474 978 403
Fax 00 39 (0)474 978 451
Email : hotel@waldruhe.com
www.waldruhe.com
Automatic translation
[Google]
VAL SAN MARTINO arrived Casies, after step R29, I found a hotel near the valley Karbachtal whose rise tomorrow will be the essential step ...
Very pleasant home in a beautiful facility with high quality services and very affordable price ... After negotiations! In early July 2011 the hotel was very very full. Get up early and take the time to appreciate the buffet ...
Hotel Waldruhe
Fam. SCHALLER
I-39030 VAL SAN MARTINO Casies
Tel 00 39 (0) 474 978 403
Fax 00 39 (0) 474 978 451
Email: hotel@waldruhe.com
www.waldruhe.com
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4h10 |
26.5 km
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54 m
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1146 m
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.