Hike to the Lago Ponte di Ghiaccio lake

This hike makes us discover the world of the impressive Fundres Mountains. We drive from the village centre of Vandoies di Sotto into the Val di Fundres valley and further on to the hamlet of Dun, located at the head of the valley. Along a narrow road with a rugged rock face on the right and a deep gorge on the left we reach the big parking space where several hikes start. On the first section we follow an asphalt road to the signposts indicating the Lago Ponte di Ghiaccio lake (Eisbruggsee) and the eponymous mountain hut. After the bend near the Luzerhof farm we turn into a wide forest path towards north. After a 20-minute walk we take the trail no. 13 near the bridge.

Now we enter the forest on the right side of the Rio di Fundres brook. The trail gets steeper and proceeds for an hour straight up to the Egger Bödenalm mountain hut. Behind the hut we can enjoy a flatter section, the narrow path leads to the so-called "Ponte di Ghiaccio" (Ice Bridge) where the snow fields still persist in July and August. Following the Rio di Fundres brook we continue our hike in the stunning Valle Ponte di Ghiaccio valley (Eisbruggtal), one of the most beautiful places of this tour.

There's still an hour of walking ahead of us and the trail gets steeper again. The Malga Ponte di Ghiaccio mountain hut (Eisbruggalm) is located at 2,154 m a.s.l. and offers home-made butter and mountain cheese (open during summer months). After a short break we follow again the path no. 13 which proceeds for another hour uphill to our destination, the Lago Ponte di Ghiaccio lake (Eisbruggsee), located in a hollow at 2,351 m a.s.l. The way back follows the same trail, an alternative path (no. 18) leads via the Malga di Valles mountain hut and the Forcella di Valles wind gap into the valley. The rough and steep trail becomes a wide forest path after the first 30 minutes. In the last section the two possible return routes meet and lead back to the starting point.

Please note: the hiking trail is partly slippery, sturdy shoes are necessary! The tour requires a good physical condition and stamina as well as some mountain experience. On the right shore of the Ponte di Ghiaccio lake the hiking path no. 13 leads to the Malga Ponte di Ghiaccio mountain hut (Edelrauthütte, 1 hour) offering local dishes such as the delicious Kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancake) as well as overnight stays. The famous Fundres High Route passes the hut, which is also a well-known starting point for mountain tours, e.g. on the 3,370 m high Punta Bianca.

Author: BS