The Adolf Munkel Trail is a perfect half-day excursion for hikers who prefer to take it easy. The trail never feels too strenuous and has plenty of viewpoints where you can stop for a photo or catch your breath. If you don’t have much hiking experience, this trail is for you.
Total roundtrip distance
9.5 kilometres / 5.9 miles
Elevation gain
440 meters / 1443 feet
Time required
3-4 hours
Overview of the trail
Adolf Munkel trail is located in the Puez Odle Nature Park in the Italian Dolomites, close to the village of Santa Magdalena in Funes Valley. The trail leads to a vast, high alpine plateau beneath the dramatic spires of the Odle Geisler Group. It’s the famous Seceda ridgeline but seen from a different perspective.
It’s a very popular (and busy) hike. If you don’t like crowds on the trail, your best bet would be to do it during the shoulder season (May, October, November).
The map of the hike
Important info about the hike
The hike is accessible year-round, but you might require snow shoes or ski-touring skis between December and April to complete it. Some parts of the trail are groomed during the Winter months. If you want to hike the trail without special equipment, you should go between mid-May and October. The Adolf Munkel Trail is a circuit trail and can be walked in either direction.
TIP: Going clockwise will be easier because of the gradual elevation gain.
When to go: Year-round
Trail difficulty: Moderate
Trail numbers: 6,35
Type of Hike: Circuit
Highest point: 2050 meters / 6725 ft
Parking: 46.6353, 11.76303
Trailhead: 46.634813, 11.764309
Nearest town: Santa Maddalena in Val Di Funes
Getting there
Adolf Munkel trail can be accessed via public or private transport. The trailhead is next to Malga Zannes (an alpine restaurant) near Santa Magdalena village in the Funes Valley.
By bus
Buses run regularly during the season (June- mid-October) between Bressanone and Malga Zannes via Santa Magdalena. The full name of the bus stop is S.Maddalena (Funes), Malga Zannes. You can check the schedule and find a bus stop near you on the Sued Tirol Mobil website.
By car
It takes approximately 10 minutes to reach the start of the trail by car from the nearest town (Santa Magdalena). The trailhead has a paid parking lot. To get there, type parking Malga Zannes into your GPS.
Overnight stay & dining possibilities
There are a few dining options along the route, the most famous of which is Rifugio Odle (Malga Geislerarm). It lies at around the halfway point of the Adolf Munkel trail. During the summer, it is open from mid-May until the start of November; In the winter, it is open from the end of December until mid-March. Another great spot to stop for some food is Malga Dusler. It will also be quieter. The third option is Malga Zanser, located near the trailhead. It offers dining and overnight stay possibilities. I marked all of them on the map.
Where to stay nearby
The nearest village to Adolf Munkel Trail is Santa Maddalena (also spelled Magdalena) in Val Di Funes. There are a few great hotels with fantastic views of the Odle Geisler range. If you prefer a bigger town with more dining options and activities, consider staying in Bressanone, a 40-minute drive from the trailhead. You can also reach Adolf Munkel trail from Ortisei in Val Gardena (ca. 1 hour drive)
TIP: Another Santa Magdalena village is one hour away, often confused with the one in the Funes valley. Make sure you book your accommodation in the correct place.
Other activities nearby
Via ferrata
- Via ferrata Sass De Putia
- Via ferrata Gunther Messner
- Via ferrata Sass Rigais