--- title: "Sass de Putia Loop - Circuit via the Passo delle Erbe" type: "1day-itinerary" lang: "en" distance_km: 14.6 elevation_plus_m: 681 elevation_minus_m: 683 difficulty: "Medium" duration_days: 1 url: "https://dolomites-guide.com/hiking-dolomites/sasso-putia/" description: "Sass de Putia loop via the Passo delle Erbe: a 9.1-mile circuit over the Forcella de Putia, a short version, the huts and bus access to the Würzjoch." --- # Sass de Putia Loop - Circuit via the Passo delle Erbe The full Sass de Putia loop via the Passo delle Erbe, in the north of the Puez-Odle park: the climb to the Forcella, the huts on the east side, the short version and access by car or bus. ## Overview The full loop around the Sass de Putia (also called Sasso Putia, Peitlerkofel in German), in the north of the Puez-Odle Nature Park: a 14.6 km (9.1 mi) circuit with 681 m (2,234 ft) of elevation gain around the mountain, starting from Gunggan, on the Passo delle Erbe (Würzjoch) road. Allow about 5 hours 20 minutes of walking. The steep climb to the Forcella de Putia makes it a demanding day; the pastures and huts on the east side can also be done as an easy out-and-back from the pass. The start is reachable by bus. ## Stats - Distance: 14.6 km - Elevation gain: 681 m - Elevation loss: 683 m - Difficulty: Medium - Duration: 1 day ## Need to know ## Map of the Sass de Putia Loop The Sass de Putia (also called Sasso Putia, Peitlerkofel in German, Sas da Pütia in Ladin) rises in the northern part of the Puez-Odle Nature Park, whose northern boundary runs through the Passo delle Erbe (Würzjoch). The map shows the full loop around the mountain: it starts from Gunggan, on the pass road, climbs to the Forcella de Putia, returns through the pastures and huts on the east side, then crosses the pass before heading back down to the start. ## Which Hiking Experience Should You Choose? **The full loop** if you have a whole day and strong legs: it is the only way to see the mountain from every side. **The short version** if you are walking with children or mainly want lunch at a hut: the pastures on the east side can be done as an out-and-back from the pass. **The summit** is a different outing altogether. ### Option #1: The Full Sass de Putia Loop ![Hikers on the scree of the Forcella de Putia, with the Val Badia below](/images/sasso-putia-forcella.webp "The Forcella de Putia, at the end of the steepest stretch of the loop") - **The Goal:** To walk all the way around the Sass de Putia, crossing the Forcella de Putia, then return through the pastures and huts on the east side and the Passo delle Erbe. - **The Route Data:** - **Start/End:** Gunggan car park and bus stop, on the pass road (SP29), at 1,810 m (5,938 ft), about 2 km (1.2 mi) as the crow flies before the Passo delle Erbe (loop) - **How to get to the start:** By car or by bus (see below). - **Sequence:** Gunggan -> climb to the Forcella de Putia, the high point of the loop at around 2,340 m (7,677 ft) -> descent on the east side -> Ütia Vaciara -> Ütia de Göma -> Munt de Fornella -> Passo delle Erbe (Würzjoch) -> descent to Gunggan. - **Distance:** 14.6 km (9.1 mi), measured on this page's track - **Elevation:** +681 m (2,234 ft) gain / -683 m (2,241 ft) loss. - **Duration:** allow about 5 hours 20 minutes of walking, not counting breaks. - **The Reality:** All the effort comes at the start: from Gunggan, the loop climbs in one go, about 530 m (1,739 ft) over 2.5 km (1.6 mi), up to the Forcella de Putia, through the scree. Allow about 1 hour 40 minutes for this climb. After that, the loop stays around 2,000 m (6,562 ft) and barely climbs again: this is the part to savour, from one hut to the next. From the pass, the loop heads back down to Gunggan in nearly 3 km (1.9 mi) of walking. The three huts on the east side follow one another over the second half of the loop: this is where you stop for lunch. Their opening depends on the season: check with each hut before counting on a hot meal. **No camping:** the Puez-Odle Nature Park regulations, published by the [Autonomous Province of Bolzano](https://nature-parks.province.bz.it/en/puez-geisler-puez-odle-nature-park), forbid tent camping in the park, except for alpine bivouacking. The loop is done in a day. ### Option #2: The Short Version Through the Pastures ![Pasture and wooden hut on the east side, below the Sass de Putia](/images/sasso-putia-alpages.webp "The pastures on the east side, between the pass and the huts") Skip the Forcella: drive or take the bus up to the Passo delle Erbe, then follow the loop in reverse towards Munt de Fornella and the Ütia de Göma, as far as you like, and come back the same way. This section stays around 2,000 m (6,562 ft), without any big climb: you keep the best of the pastures and huts, without the effort of the Forcella. ### Option #3: The Sass de Putia Summit The climb to the summit is not part of the loop. It is for experienced hikers only: ask locally before attempting it. If you are looking for another loop in the same park, shorter and without a steep climb, the [Adolf Munkel trail](/hiking-dolomites/odle-adolf-munkel/) runs along the foot of the Odle, from the Val di Funes. ## How Do You Get to the Passo delle Erbe? ### By Car Park at the Gunggan car park, on the pass road (SP29), about 2 km (1.2 mi) as the crow flies before the Passo delle Erbe: this is the start of the loop. For the short version, drive up to the pass. Parking there is **limited** and [IDM Südtirol](https://suedtirol.info/en/en/information/mobility/mountain-passes-in-south-tyrol/wuerzjoch-pass) points out that parking on the roadside is fined. In summer, arrive early or take the bus. ### By Bus For the full loop, get off at the Gunggan stop, on the pass road; check that your bus stops there. The pass itself is served from both sides: - **From Bressanone and the Val di Funes:** line 339, via St. Peter. - **From the Val Badia:** in summer, line 464 links Antermoia with the pass, from the Pikolein cable car. Coming from the Val Badia, start the loop at the pass: it goes through there, and you walk it in the same direction down to Gunggan and then up to the Forcella. Timetables change with the season: check the day's times on [Südtirol Mobil](https://www.suedtirolmobil.info/), especially the time of the last bus, before setting off on a loop of more than five hours. If you are staying in the Val Badia, our [Alta Badia hiking guide](/blog/alta-badia-corvara-hiking-guide/) covers other hikes around Corvara. ## When Should You Go and How Do You Check Conditions? ![The Sass de Putia at sunset in autumn, golden larches near the Passo delle Erbe](/images/sasso-putia-passo-delle-erbe.webp "The Passo delle Erbe, north of the Sass de Putia") ### The Best Season Aim for summer and early autumn. The bus calendar is a good guide: in 2026, the pass is served from the Val Badia by line 464 from mid-June to early October (from early September, change at Antermoia to line 339), and from the Val di Funes by line 339 from May to November. Outside these dates, plan on driving. ### How to Check the Weather The loop goes above 2,300 m (7,546 ft) at the Forcella. The day before, check the snow line in the [Province of Bolzano mountain weather](https://meteo.provincia.bz.it/it/tempo-in-montagna): if it drops towards the Forcella early or late in the season, give up on the full loop and do the short version. ## What Should You Bring? - **Footwear:** high-cut hiking boots with a good sole for the scree slope of the Forcella. - **Poles:** useful on the steep climb and on the descent that follows. - **Clothing:** a windproof jacket and a warm layer: at the Forcella, the air cools quickly. - **Sun:** sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. - **Water and picnic:** a full water bottle for the climb, and something to eat if the huts are closed. - **Cash:** enough to pay for a meal at a hut. In the park, the regulations forbid picking plants and gathering mushrooms, and leaving litter: take yours back with you. ## Practical info - Best season: Summer and early autumn - Accommodation: Day loop, huts for lunch - Navigation: Loop around the mountain, demanding climb on scree to the Forcella de Putia - Gear: High-cut boots, poles, windbreaker, water - Start Point: Gunggan, Passo delle Erbe road - End Point: Loop