Hike to the Rifugio Forcella Vallaga

The Forcella Vallaga Mountain Hut is located at almost 2,500 m a.s.l. in the eastern Alpi Sarentine Alps: We discover this hiking destination starting in Valdurna

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Shortly before the village entrance of Valdurna, the parking space for starting our hike is located. From here we first walk through the village centre.
Foto: AT, © Peer
We follow the road, which leads us above Lake Valdurna towards north.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The path leads us first to the Seeb Alm mountain hut.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The first kilometres lead through the forest with a slight incline.
Foto: AT, © Peer
So we reach the Seeb Alm, a popular mountain hut near Valdurna.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Now we continue on the path no. 16 and follow the signpost “Flaggerschartenhütte” (Rif. Forcella Vallaga).
Foto: AT, © Peer
Swiss stone pines and mountain pines line the wayside.
Foto: AT, © Peer
At this turnoff about half of the ascent is done.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The Seebbachtal valley with its upper alpine meadows lies below us.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Heath landscape in the Seebbachtal valley.
Foto: AT, © Peer
View on the path no. 16 at the level of the timberline.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Grazing cows on the upland pastures.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The last section of the trail lies ahead of us - it is also the steepest.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Foto: AT, © Peer
Less and less grass, but more and more stones characterise the landscape here.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Below the Flaggerscharte ridge, the path joins the famous “Horseshoe Tour”, a multi-day route through the Alpi Sarentine.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Residual snow and snowbells: In the high mountains, spring begins in August.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Goats use the highest rocks as viewpoints on gasping hikers.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Almost arrived on the Flaggerscharte ridge.
Foto: AT, © Peer
View towards the Mt. Corno di Tramin (Tagewaldhorn). The sky is reflected in the little pond.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Only a few more metres, then we have reached our destination, the Rif. Forcella Vallaga (Flaggerschartenhütte). It is also called the “former Marburger Hütte”, because the first construction was started by the alpine club sections Marburg and Siegenerland. However, World War I prevented the opening, later the Italian Alpine Club CAI renovated and completed the hut under its present name.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Hut and mountain lake - our idyllic hiking destination at almost 2,500 m a.s.l. in the heart of the Alpi Sarentine.
Foto: AT, © Peer

The parking space directly below Valdurna (Durnholz) in the municipality of Sarentino is the starting point for this moderately difficult hiking tour. Through the village centre of Valdurna we walk along the meadow slope towards the Seebalm mountain hut, passing farms. The path, which is asphalted at the beginning, offers great views on Lake Valdurna. We continue on the gravel road through the forest. Passing the Seeb Alm mountain hut, we take the path no. 16.

The somewhat stony and partly steep trail leads first through the forest to the timberline, then through mountain pines and high alpine meadows above the 2,000 metre mark. The steepest section comes at the end: the path winds through scree slopes up to the Flaggerscharte ridge, a transition to the Alta Valle Isarco (Wipptal) side of the Alpi Sarentine.

There is still some snow left by the wayside. Now the Rif. Forcella Vallaga (Flaggerschartenhütte or Marburger Siegener Hütte) is not far anymore. In front of the hut there is a small mountain lake, behind it the 2,708 m high Mt. Corno di Tramin (Tagewaldhorn) rises into the sky. The hut is also a station of the famous "Horseshoe Tour" (Hufeisen Tour) through the Alpi Sarentine. Paths lead up to the surrounding mountains and down into the Wipptal valley. After a well-deserved break, we take the same route back to Valdurna.

Author: AT

difficulty: difficult alpine hut route

Starting point:

parking space below Valdurna (chargeable)
Time required:

05:00 h
Track length:

14,7 km
Altitude:

from 1.510 m to 2.486 m
Altitude difference:

+976 m | -976 m
Signposts:

no. 16, 15
Destination:

Flaggerscharten-Hütte
Resting points:

Seebalm mountain hut, Rif. Forcella Vallaga (Flaggerschartenhütte) mountain hut
Recommended time of year:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Download GPX track:

Hike to the Rifugio Forcella Vallaga