Hike on the Geotrail Bulla

On the traces of geologic history: The strata between Bulla in Val Gardena and Passo Pinei provide an insight into a bygone era

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video : The Bulla Geo Trail
Our walk starts at Passo Pinei, next to the hotel Panider Sattel.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The path n° 3A leads across meadows.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Alpine meadows in full blossom at Passo Pinei in August. At the signpost we take the path to the forest road on the left.
Foto: AT, © Peer
This meadow saffrom must be wrong in season. This autumn flower blooms in mid August.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The path makes from the meadows, leading into the forest under the Bullaccia.
Foto: AT, © Peer
We keep following the red and white signpost n°3.
Foto: AT, © Peer
This is where the signpost “Geotrail Pufels” directs the way down towards left.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Soon we reach a broad forest trail, which is the actual “Geotrail”.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Panels along the path provide information on the rock layers that have been formed in the course of time and on the landscapes and their evolution.
Foto: AT, © Peer
On the right side along the trail you can admire the rock layers described on the information panels. Once sea bottom, these layers mainly consist of sand and chalk of dead standing plants and sea shells.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Still today many stones along the path manifest traces of animate beings of primitive times, such as sea shells and halms.
Foto: AT, © Peer
What the geotrail also offers are amazing viewpoints on the Valgardena valley and the surrounding mountain landscapes. So the rocks and strata described on the information panels can also be admired in nature.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Imprints of marine animals or just air bubbles?
Foto: AT, © Peer
You can spend much time examining and interpreting the different imprints. The information panels lend you a helping hand.
Foto: AT, © Peer
We are approaching Bulla. From the curve at the beginning of the village, the view of Ortisei and the Val Gardena valley is amazing.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The little settlement of Bulla is located between the Val Gardena and the Alpe di Siusi, on a slope above the little valley. Its most important sight is the little San Leonardo church.
Foto: AT, © Peer
From the village we follow the signpost n° 24 towards Passo Pinei. This is an alternative path that makes you reach the starting point.
Foto: AT, © Peer
This path, gently inclined, stretches along a sunny slope in the west of the centre of Bulla, past charming ancient farmsteads.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Once you reached the top, you can sit back and relax on the winding bench and admire the surroundings.
Foto: AT, © Peer
For the way back we take the forest trail that joins the path on which we came, taking us back to the starting point.
Foto: AT, © Peer

In summer 2011 the Bulla Geotrail was inaugurated. This walking path stretching between Ortisei and Passo Pinei makes you get an insight into the evolution of the Val Gardena and Dolomite landscape. The walk starts at the Passo Pinei (Pinëi), situated along the road from Ortisei to Castelrotto. From here we walk past the Hotel Panider Sattel, on the path no. 3A towards Bulla.

This first section makes you walk past blossoming meadows with single larch trees and Swiss stone pines. Slightly rising, the small path leads across the forest (signpost 3A), until the signpost "Geotrail" indicates a way down on the left that soon after joins a forest road. This is where the Geotrail Bulla (Geotrail Pufels) actually starts. Time and again, along the forest there are panels providing information on the geologic strata in this area. After a curve you reach the village of Bulla and the trail joins the local road network.

Having visited the lovely centre, we proceed the way up across the meadows on the west side of the valley (signposts 24 and 3A), passing by beautiful ancient farmsteads, until we reach Col da Locia. Now the Geotrail takes you on your way back on a path paralleling the one on which you came. just slightly higher. The view of the Val Gardena with Ortisei, the Seceda and the Odle mountains in the backgraound is just amazing.

Author: AT

suited for families circular route difficulty: easy tailored for children