Still not feeling 100% I decided I was not going to take the long and strenuous hike across the Gliederscharte. It made me a little sad but I thought about it this way: if I was hiking in a group and one of us wasn’t feeling that great we would have ammended plans and taken an easier day. And that’s what I did!
It stressed me out too that I didn’t really know how I was going to get to Pfunders last night. When you look up connections they only show the Italian names which makes it quite a bit more difficult as in my hiking guide they feature the German names.
Definitely got my first Italian words out today. How I wish I could speak Italian! And definitely had my public transport experience, 3 buses and a train.
I took my time descending from 2276m from the Pfitscherjoch Haus to St. Jakob. Had a little rest, transitioned into higher forest, and just missed the bus.
Further down in the valley the sweet scent of alpine hay was drifting through the air. Everywhere people were making hay, even up on the steep slopes with skythes.
Then I took the bus from St. Jakob (also part of the pilgrimage way) to Sterzing, which is Vipiteno in Italian (950m), then the next bus direction to Brixen = Bressanone. The driver told me to get out at Franzenfeste = Fortezza and get off in Vintl = Vandoies (750m).
I had major issue getting a ticket and a nice Italian man who didn’t speak English or German showed me how to do it. Amazing what a little sign language can do! So I actually caught the next train.
The Brenner Highway
The train went through the Pustertal and in minutes the landscape changed. Orchards and vineyards were popping up everywhere. Only stayed on the train for 2 stops, about 18 minutes and when I got off in Vandoies bus #3 was already waiting.
15 minutes later I reached Pfunders (1145m) and the Gasthof Brugger. A lot of up and down today for sure!
Was supposed to share my room with 2 more people but lucked out again. I expected the place to be swarming with hikers headed to Venice but there was only one couple that was going the same way. The inn is mentioned as accommodation in all the hiking guides. I wonder if the big rush is over? It seems to be a lot more relaxed and quieter in Italy than at the beginning of my trip.
There was only a single gentleman and my innkeeper gave him the other bunk room. I guess we both appreciated the space to ourselves. Had the best and the cheapest meal in a while today. Real home cooked food and NO gluten or dairy!
A little creek was a peaceful sound right by the house, all night.
Das war ganz schön verzwickt. Wir haben es auf der Landkarte verfolgt.
Immer dabei liebe Sibylle, jeder Tag ist anders, immer neue Herausforderungen. Die wollen wir doch. 😘
Aber bestimmt liebe Hanna!
I see you found another mushroom! Looks like it could be an Amanita muscaria……and an interesting mushroom statue as well. The photos are all very beautiful and your write ups are so interesting. I hope you feel better soon. xo
Thank you Gillian. There will be more mushrooms!
Another wonderful account. I am very envious but also happy for you and thank you for sharing this journry.
Love the mushroom carving!
I feel so bad for you that you are having to spend so many miles of your long awaited hike on buses and trains. That must be very disappointing and frustrating for you.
Hope you feel better soon.
It wasn’t a long distance. I just had to get out of one valley and back into the next one. And the only connection was a big loop as usually not a lot of people do this. It was actually a fun day, something different. 🙂