Hiking the Adolf Munkel Weg and a Bonus Border Hop to Europe’s Sixth Smallest Country
After a crazy trip from Metz, France to Innsbruck, Austria and a day hiking in the Austrian Alps, it was time for another day in the mountains. This time, however, we would be traveling further south into Italy to explore a portion of the Italian Dolomites – two amazing mountain ranges in one weekend!
After a quick hostel breakfast we took a short tram ride to the Sillpark area, then walked over to the Innsbruck Central Station. We boarded a train south to Brennero, crossed into Italy, and continued on to Brixen. From there, we caught a bus up into the Val di Funes and rode until we reached the route’s last stop, which brought us to the trailhead for the Adolf Munkel Weg, the start of our scenic adventure in the Italian Dolomites.
Beginning the Adolf Munkel Weg
The trail began by winding through open alpine meadows and rolling pastures, then became surrounded by a vibrant forest as we continued hiking further into the Puez-Odle Nature Park. Soon, through the fog, we were able to catch our first glimpse of the iconic spires of the Odle/Geisler Group towering over us. We continued on until we reached the base of the mountains, exploring the rocky area and appreciating the overwhelming beauty and awesomeness of the jagged peaks above us.
Stunning Views of the Dolomites
Just as we were about to leave the area we had stopped to explore, the fog parted and we were offered a crystal clear view of the northern face of gorgeous massif. The view was stunning, and we took advantage of the opportunity to take even more pictures before continuing on along the Adolf Munkel Weg.
Hiking the Puez-Odle Nature Park
We continued along the trail in the shadow of the looming peaks above, and each bend in the trail gave us new panoramic views back toward the snowcapped ridges of the range. We kept hiking, passing through peaceful forest sections, where pine trees framed glimpses of the cliffs above, and climbed until we the trail opened up out of the forest. Soon afterwards, we came across the Rifugio Malga Brogles, a classic mountain hut built on the side of a hill overlooking the valley below.
Climbing the Ridge
After walking along a road for a bit we followed a trail of cairns up the side of the hill to reach the top of the ridgeline, rewarded by unbelievable panoramic views of the distant mountains and the valleys on either side. We roamed the area, taking in the once-in-a-lifetime scenery, until the clouds rolled back in and we continued on the trail.
Hiking Down to San Pietro
The next portion of our journey took us straight down the steep, rocky cliffs on the other side of the ridge, beginning our descent toward the village of San Pietro. It felt like walking through a postcard come to life – soft green hills, sharp gray rock faces, and even a few old wooden farmhouses scattered along the slopes. As we dropped elevation, dipped back into a forest, and began to spot more signs of rural farm life. By the time we reached St. Peter, our legs were tired but our spirits were high.
Check out a map of our hike in the Dolomites below!
Train Back to Innsbruck
After finishing the hike, we caught a local bus back to Brixen, boarded a train back to Innsbruck, and wrapped up the day with burritos for dinner before returning to our hostel. It was the perfect reward for a long day exploring one of the most beautiful corners of the Dolomites.
Exploring Liechtenstein
The next morning, we set out for one final side trip before heading home: a visit to Liechtenstein. We took a train from Innsbruck to Buchs, Switzerland, following the river past snow-capped peaks along the way. From Buchs, we caught a bus into Schaan, crossed into Vaduz, and walked through Liechtenstein’s quiet capital, passing landmarks like the Regierungsgebäude and the Kathedrale St. Florin. After stolling thorugh the town, we crossed a bridge back over the Rhine into Sevelen, Switzerland, caught a train to Sargans, then continued on to Basel.
Exploring Basel
Before boarding our last train home, we walked along Basel’s scenic riverfront and stopped by the city’s cathedral – one last moment of sightseeing before the trip officially wrapped up. Naturally, we also made one final chocolate stop at Migros before catching our train back through Strasbourg and finally to Metz.
From Basel Back to Metz
Returning back to the familiar streets of Metz felt almost surreal after an incredible weekend hiking in the Alps in Austria and the Dolomites in Italy. There’s nothing like watching the scenery flip from snowy peaks to city skylines, made possible by mountain trails and trusty rails. Innsbruck, the Dolomites, and Liechtenstein reminded me just how of the world there is to explore, and how extraordinary it can feel when you’re lucky enough to wander through it.