Sass de Putia (Peitlerkofel) Circuit Hike in Puez-Odle Nature Park, Italian Dolomites

Sass de Putia (2875 m, Peitlerkofel in German, Sas de Pütia in Ladin) is an isolated mountain in the Italian Dolomites, situated between Val Badia (Gadertal) and Val di Funes (Villnösstal) in Puez-Odle Nature Park, South Tyrol.

This solitary, two-headed mountain is easily accessible from the mountain pass Passo delle Erbe (1982 m, German: Würzjoch) in Alta Badia.

One of the most gratifying day hikes in the Dolomites is the moderate circuit trail around Sass de Putia called Roda de Pütia in Ladin and Rundweg Peitlerkofel in German. This 12.8 km loop hike takes 4 hours to complete.

It traverses high alpine pastures, a steep gully, and stone pine and larch forests.

Experienced hikers may want to combine this hike with the climb to the Sass de Putia summit (2875 m). 

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Sass de Putia Hiking Map

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Passo delle Erbe Trailhead

The mountain pass Passo delle Erbe (Würzjoch in German, Jü de Börz in Ladin) is the starting point for the circuit hike around Sass de Putia. 

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Driving to Passo delle Erbe

At the pass, there’s a parking lot and a lovely guesthouse called Ütia de Börz. We stayed three nights at Ütia de Börz, and highly recommend this perfectly-positioned mountain refuge as your base for this hike. 

During low season, the parking lot is free. During high season, there’s a parking fee between 7:00 am and 2:00 pm.

Passo delle Erbe can be reached from Val Badia, or from Val di Funes.

• From San Martino in Badia (San Martin de Tor), it’s a 25-minute (14.2 km) drive to Passo delle Erbe.
• From San Pietro (St. Peter) in Val di Funes, it’s a 30-minute (16.8 km) drive to Passo delle Erbe.

Both mountain roads leading up to the pass are extremely narrow and windy. We don’t recommend driving these roads at night. If you want to catch the sunrise, or sunset at the pass, it’s best to stay overnight at Ütia de Börz. 

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Public Transit to Passo delle Erbe

Passo delle Erbe is also accessible by bus. Though, some buses only operate during high summer season.

Use the www.sii.bz.it website to find your connection.

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When Can You Hike around Sass de Putia

Early June until late October, weather depending.

October is still a promising month to hike around Sass de Putia, but if it snows, the snow may linger, especially along the gully leading up to Forcela de Pütia. We hiked the circuit in early October after a snowstorm. It was doable, but there were some slippery passages.

We also recommend timing your hike with the opening times of the alpine pasture huts:

• Munt de Fornella – Early-Mid June until Mid-October. 
• Ütia Vaciara – Early-Mid June until Mid-October (according to their website). When we hiked here in early October, they were already closed. 
• Ütia de Göma – Early-Mid June until Mid-October. This is where we ate during our hike. The food was excellent. 

Note: opening times will vary depending on the weather and snow conditions.

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Which Direction to Hike around Sass de Putia

We hiked counter-clockwise, heading to Forcela de Pütia (Peitlerscharte) first.

We recommend hiking in this direction because you get the most difficult section of the hike out of the way early on – the 260-meter ascent to Forcela de Pütia (Peitlerscharte). 

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Sass de Putia Circuit Trail Directions

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Passo delle Erbe to Forcela de Pütia (1:30 hours)

As soon as you arrive at the Passo delle Erbe pass, the impressive dolomite massif captivates. You’ll be thrilled to start this hike with such immediate gratification.

Locate the trail signs at the Passo delle Erbe parking lot. From here, you’ll bear right on a dirt road, following signs to Forcela de Pütia (Trail 8A). 

The road cuts through a stone pine forest and delivers you in 20 minutes to an alpine pasture, situated at the foot of the northern slopes of Sass de Putia. You’ll pass a few wooden huts before reaching a trail juncture. 

The Sass de Putia circuit trail begins here. We recommend hiking counter-clockwise around Sass de Putia. Therefore, turn right in the direction of Forcela de Pütia, signed 1:10 hours. 

The track is initially wide and flat, but narrows quickly. Wrapping around Sass de Putia, you’ll follow an undulating balcony path, with views of Val di Lüsen (Lüsner Tal) valley below and the striking Odle di Eores (Aferer Geisler) mountain group directly ahead. 

At the next trail intersection, continue on trail 4 towards Forcela de Pütia (Peitlerscharte), signed 40 minutes. 

For the first time, the trail ascends steeply up a broad gully. It’s a 260 meter switchback ascent to the Forcela de Pütia notch.

The path wasn’t overly difficult, but we definitely felt the elevation gain. The route is waymarked with red dots. 

In October, this whole passage was covered in snow.

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Forcela de Pütia to Ütia Vaciara (1 hour)

At the Forcela de Pütia notch, the trail forks. To continue following the loop trail, take the middle track (4B), in the direction of Lungiarü and Roda de Pütia. The left trail takes you to the summit of Sass de Putia (1:30 hours). The right trail leads to Schlüterhütte (30 minutes).

Following trail 4B and then 35, you’ll gently descend across slopping pastures, weaving through a string of timber huts. Our views were obscured by clouds, but on a nice day, Mount Fanes is clearly visible ahead. 

The trail descends gently along a wide track, all the way to Ütia Vaciara. 

Ütia Vaciara is an alpine pasture hut (Alm/Malga), located directly on the Sass de Putia circuit trail. Weather permitting, the hut is open from early June until mid-October, offering hikers an atmospheric place to enjoy lunch with views of Piz da Peres, Lavarella, Lagazuoi, Puez, and Civetta.

When we visited in Early October, they were already closed, because of the snow.

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Ütia Vaciara to Ütia de Göma (50 minutes)

Continue to Göma pass (20 minutes) and Passo delle Erbe (1:30 hours) on trail 35. This gentle walking path is such a joy to walk.

Even without the mountain views, you can delight in the rolling green pastures studded with wooden shelters and larch. 

From the Göma pass intersection, continue on trail 8B to Ütia Goma. You’ll descend along a  shady forested trail and then eventually cross a wide-open pasture before arriving at the Goma hut. 

We ate a delicious lunch at Ütia Goma (highly recommended!!). Their “Polenta mit geschmolzenem Käse, Pilzen und Bratwurst” (Polenta with melted cheese, mushrooms, and sausage) was bursting with flavor.

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Ütia de Göma to Passo delle Erbe (50 minutes)

To complete the circuit, continue on 8B through the forest and up to Munt de Fornella.

From the Fornella alpine pasture, turn right on the familiar 8A road and head back to Passo delle Erbe.

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Where to Stay

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Passo delle Erbe

Midrange | Ütia de Börz is located at 2006 m, directly at Passo delle Erbe. With unobstructed views of Sass de Putia, this amazing guesthouse is the best place to stay for this hike. 

We LOVED everything about our stay here. The location is outstanding, allowing you to experience sunrise and sunset, without an extra effort. 

Furthermore, the quality of the food is extraordinary. Their 4-course dinner menu introduces you to the flavors and ingredients of the region. The portions are generous and the plating is captivating. And, they have an excellent wine list, featuring Alto Adige wine by the glass and the bottle. 

Book your stay at Ütia de Börz.

Look for accommodation near Passo delle Erbe.

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Val di Funes

Budget | Appartements Pension Sonia is a no-frills, budget-friendly guesthouse in Santa Maddalena. Breakfast is included in the room rate.

Budget | Fallerhof is an active farm and a great-value apartment-style accommodation with stunning views of the Geisler Group. It’s a short walk to the Santa Maddalena Church (5 minutes) and the famous Chiesetta di San Giovanni in Ranui (15 minutes). Breakfast is available upon request.

Midrange | Hotel Fines is a welcoming, 3-star hotel in Santa Maddalena, owned by a young and enthusiastic team. Guests love the rich breakfast buffet, central location, and hotel restaurant. Definitely book half board (breakfast and dinner) here. The DolomitiMobil Card is free for all guests.

Midrange | Proihof is a happily-situated farm stay in Santa Maddalena offering charming alpine rooms and apartments as well as stellar views of the Odle/Geisler Group. Stay here for the dreaming surroundings, farm animals, and down-to-earth atmosphere. 

Look for accommodation in Santa Maddalena.

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More Alta Badia Hiking Guides

• Alta Badia Summer Guide
• Rifugio Puez Day Hike
• Lake Pisciadù Day Hike
• Rifugio Fanes Day Hike
• Armentara Meadows Day Hike