Trail to the Forcella di Casies

What it is and where it is

In the Pustertal valley, from Santa Maddalena (1400m) we climb up to the Forcella di Casies, on the border with Austria. It is 800 meters of challenging elevation gain, about 18 km and 5/6 hours of walking.
The climb. It starts from the parking lot at the bottom of the valley, in Santa Maddalena, along a paved road, heading east, along which you can find refreshment and excellent food at the two huts Messner Hütte (1660m) and Kradofer Alm (1704m) (excellent and thirst-quenching mint or elderberry syrup water). After the huts the gradient increases, as does the physical effort to continue. We meet free grazing cows, peacefully grazing the grass with a bored and quiet look; further on, little goats with well-developed horns, ignoring you when you pass by them. Further on is another pasture, the Oberbergalm (1975m) where you can eat. Then you enter an area full of springs with very fresh water (the springs of the Casies stream). Here you can refresh yourself to recover from the climb. One last effort and you reach the Gsieser Törl (2205m), the pass on the border with Austria. You have earned it: lie down on the ground and enjoy a well-deserved rest and the beautiful scenery. We recommend putting your signature and arrival and departure time in the book at the top (very useful for rescuers if needed).
Descent. You can descend the way you came, but I recommend taking Almweg 2000, a midslope trail set in lush green meadows full of a thousand kinds of flowers that will please the eye and the nose. The trail passes through areas with icy snow (still present in July), with small climbs, very light, alternating with pleasant descents, on a safe dirt path. Here, too, there is no shortage of cows and goats grazing. You will then come to an alpine hut that does not currently offer refreshment, the Weißbachalm (2112m), and after the hut you will rejoin a paved road with several switchbacks, which leads to the parking lot at St. Magdalena, via trail No. 53.

Why it is special

What makes this place special is the satisfaction of arriving at the border of Austria with one's own strength and sweat, which give an extra flavor to the goal reached. In addition, the huts are real jewels set in the silent forests. The trails are busy but not crowded, and this route allows you to be completely immersed in nature and away from everything and everyone for many hours. Not isolated, though: there is reception, albeit spotty, and your cell phone works!