We venture higher in elevation on another blue sky day to enjoy this view of the Dolomites!We took a bus from Lajen to Ortisei, then we took a gondola and the Seceda cable car.Many people are enjoying this beautiful day. This is the Val Gardena valley, is part of the UNESCO world heritage site.The incredible view point at the summit shows all the alpine peaks we can see in the 360 degrees. It is a clear enough day that we could see Grossglockner in Austria as well as some of the tallest Swiss Alps.We shared photo taking before starting out on the Seceda Rim Hike.The rugged Seceda Geisler Gruppe – so picturesque with the snow.There was a bite to the wind but it made for some very photogenic opportunities.We drop into the valley from the top and there is less snow on the trail.Baita Troier Hütte: this Mountain hut is our lunch destination.It is situated in the National Park Puez Odles at an altitude of 2250 meters and it has a wonderful view to the surrounding Dolomites.A fabulous location to look over the valley and enjoy some Italian spirits.Lunch of fried potatoes, Tyrolean bacon, with fried eggs – very satisfying mountain hiking food!Well signed hiking routes to get us back to the cable car. Signs are labeled in minutes not distance. The next sign generally has the same time to the destination which we found very amusing.Maybe we should take another break at the Daniel Hütte?An incredible day visiting Seceda – a special place in the Alps!
We are on the aptly named Panorama Lift from Seiser Alm to explore the Alpe di Siusi. We have gotten up early to drive and park in Compatsch by 9am – we don’t want to miss much of this blue sky day!The clouds are still playing with the Santerspitz peaks as we start our hike in the dramatic dolomites. We are at around 6,500 foot elevation.The Navigator keeps us on the correct route. A little bit of mud but mostly clear trails!It feels more like spring than fall but still a beautiful day to be in the high meadows.A water supply pond reflects Croda del Zirmei and the blue blue sky.Isn’t this picturesque?Appreciating the Croda del Zirmei as it dominates our hike.This is for our new great niece who we are welcoming into the world from this gorgeous location in Italy. Wishing her a wonderful life, full of happiness!We toast to the good life with Italian cappuccinos, South Tyrolean apple strudel, and sunshine at the Mahlknecht hütte.We had a fabulous 6-mile hike on this gorgeous day. We hiked across the meadows, caught the Florian lift down to Saltria, and took the bus back to our car.
We have chosen another gorgeous balcony in Lajen, Italy to enjoy some of the local wines. Haus Aspenblick also came with a bus pass which cut down on our driving in the mountains!We enjoyed “Our Mountain” views from the apartment as they changed with the sunrise, sunset and passing clouds.Lajen, Italy was first written about in 993 but its history goes back to cave paintings and the Romans.Lajen’s Walther von der Vogelweide is a famous local minstrel from the Middle Ages (1200’s). There is a walking tour with his poetry displayed, like on this lovely sculpture. There is also a museum in town which we enjoyed learning more about this raconteur.Near by we went to Bolzano to visit Otzi-The-Iceman, a 5300-year-old mummy from the Bronze Age. This is a sculpture interpretation. We had visited Otzi here in 1998 before the museum was built.Another day trip to near by Passo Sella for a panoramic view of the Dolomites.The Dolomites were spectacularly beautiful with the fresh snowfall. We could enjoy the food at a hutte, even if it was not a conducive day for hiking.Back in Lajen, the cows have come home from the alpine pastures! There is a special fall festival to celebrate this annual event.A parade with a float reenacting the hay harvest. Also floats passing out new wine, schnapps, roasted chestnuts, and other local crops:Törggelen is the local food culture of this time of year.The bull whip performers (ala Indiana Jones) were amazing.The town square turned into a beer garden! A fun band, good food, and nice time to gather with friends and family. We are glad we stayed in the small village of Lajen.
