Winter hike to the Laab and Neuhütt Mountain Huts

From Nova Ponente we walk through the wintry forest landscape on the Monte Regolo, first to the Malga Laab mountain hut and further on to the Malga Capanna Nova mountain hut

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Video : Snowshoe hiking tour: Nova Ponente
Immediately after the start of our tour, we can enjoy this sight: the snow-covered meadows with the Catinaccio in the background.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The road leads past the Monte Daum, where the village lift of Nova Ponente with the small ski slope is located.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Looking back towards west: gorgeous view across the Val d’Adige valley to the Mendola, in the background the Presanella and Ortles groups.
Foto: AT, © Peer
We hike past the farms on the sunny southern side of the Monte Daum.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Foto: AT, © Peer
Marker to the Laab Alm mountain hut: we follow the asphalted road.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Now the path leads through the shady forest.
Foto: AT, © Peer
A clearing opens the view on Nova Ponente.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Foto: AT, © Peer
After approx. 1 hour we have reached the Malga Laab mountain hut. As it is also open at the beginning of winter (Monday rest day), we have planned our lunch break here.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Wintry landscape near the Laab Alm mountain hut - from here a path leads via the Petersberger Leger Alm to Pietralba.
Foto: AT, © Peer
We continue on path no. 1 towards the Neuhütt mountain hut. This section leads now through the snow.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The forest road is perfectly groomed.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The snow glitters in the sunlight.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Foto: AT, © Peer
A sunny clearing.
Foto: AT, © Peer
View on the Latemar and Mt. Pala di Santa (Zanggenberg).
Foto: AT, © Peer
On the west side: Madonna di Pietralba Pilgrimage Site.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Catinaccio and Latemar.
Foto: AT, © Peer
We have reached our final destination, Neuhütt. The picture shows the frozen reservoir.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Neuhütt is located at about 1,790 m a.s.l. The mountain hut is still closed at the beginning of December. Normally it opens after Christmas.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Here paths and cross-country skiing tracks cross: Malga Ora, Passo Oclini, Lavazé, Pietralba and Malga Schönrast can be reached from here. But we take the same route back to Nova Ponente. About 2 hours walking time per direction have to be planned for this winter hike.
Foto: AT, © Peer

This long but less demanding hike leads across the gentle hilly mountain landscape on the Monte Regolo highland. Our starting point is the roundabout at the village entrance of Nova Ponente village. Here we follow the footpath along the Via Daum road, past the local industrial area we soon have a beautiful view on the Catinaccio Group and Mt. Latemar. Passing the village lift we follow the asphalted road and the marker "Laab Alm" (no. 1).

Passing farms we reach the forest and after a few bends we reach our first destination, the Laab Mountain Hut (Laab Alm) at 1,649 m a.s.l. It is lunchtime and we take the opportunity to dine in the mountain tavern. After our break we continue our hike on path no. 1. The path to the Laab Mountain Hut was asphalted and free of snow, the second part of our hike leads through the snow now. The forest path leading to the Capanna Nuova Mountain Hut (Neuhütt, 1,790 m a.s.l.) is well prepared and easy to walk with only a gentle ascent until the finish.

The quiet nature and the views on the Dolomites at some clearings can be enjoyed particularly well on this sunny day. The Capanna Nuova Mountain Hut, still closed now at the beginning of December, is the final destination of our tour. Here our path meets cross-country skiing tracks and hiking trails coming from the Lavazé Pass, from Aldino and from the direction of the Madonna di Pietralba Pilgrimage Site. After a short rest we return to Nova Ponente on the same route.

Author: AT

difficulty: easy