To the Kreuzjoch
A hike with edelweiss, marmots, and schnapps
The Hotel Excelsior Dolomites Life Resort is located in the heart of the South Tyrolean Dolomites. On a hike to the Kreuzjoch with host Werner Call , you can still discover wild edelweiss. This tour is a perfect example of hiking in South Tyrol, where nature, legend, and hospitality merge in a unique way.
Werner Call, host and hiking guide at the Wanderhotel Excelsior, knows that hardly any other Alpine flower is as legendary and mystical as the edelweiss. According to legend, the white stars of the Alps grow where the hot tears of the ice maiden touched the ground. Why is the poor girl crying? Opinions differ. While one story cites the unfaithfulness of her beloved hunter as the reason, another legend tells of a handsome young man who wanted to rescue her from the summit of her mountain and fell during the ascent. Her compassion for this brave lad melted the ice around her heart and turned this water into tears – and subsequently into edelweiss.
Perhaps it was because of this story that edelweiss was believed to be invulnerable. But this belief may also have come from the durability of the white star-shaped flowers. In any case, young Alpine herdsmen used to like to wear them as hat decorations: the edelweiss was supposed to give them courage and protect them on their mountain tours. As a result, edelweiss was picked and dug up wherever possible, leading to its near extinction. Thankfully, it was placed under nature conservation in 1886 and the population has partially recovered. Hike to the Kreuzjoch with Werner Call The Campill Valley in the Dolomites is an insider tip for hikers. Seeing edelweiss in the wild is a magical experience due to its rarity. The name of Werner Call's favorite hut also sounds a bit like something out of a magical fairy tale. For him, it is his “Edelweiss Hut,” the Funtanacia Hut, located deep in the Campill Valley. There is an edelweiss farm nearby, and a little further up on the Kreuzjoch, wild edelweiss can still be found. He is often there alone with his guests while hiking in South Tyrol – this peace and solitude is something you don't often find in the South Tyrolean Dolomites anymore.
© Giulia Call
© Giulia Call
© Canva
© Giulia Call
© Alex Moling
One highlight of the hike is the spot where a spring gushes forth crystal-clear, cool water. Thirsty hikers drink their fill, and when they turn around, they discover what is perhaps the most beautiful view of the Geisler, the mighty South Tyrolean mountain landmark. "As if on cue, my guests pull out their cell phones almost simultaneously to take photos. You simply have to capture this view," laughs Werner Call. He is very aware of the preciousness of this natural beauty and knows how fragile our environment is.
"As part of our Hotel Excelsior Dolomites Life Resort experience program, each day is dedicated to a different theme: On Monday, we have our "Green Day," which is all about our local agriculture, our wonderful nature, and our appreciation for regional and seasonal products, in keeping with our "Excelsior Green" philosophy. This gives our guests an exciting insight into the lives of the locals," says Werner Call. Sustainability goes beyond "Green Day," as demonstrated by the resort's 2021 sustainability certification according to the criteria of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council's international standard.
The marmot colony of five to eight animals, which can be spotted when crossing the marmot pasture, enjoys its natural habitat without a care in the world. The only thing that worries these little creatures is the eagle, whereas we are happy that this rare animal still exists here. Once you reach the Kreuzjoch, everyone has earned a summit schnapps. "Nowhere else does it taste better," says Werner Call from experience. And once again, hikers are treated to a view that cannot be described in words. It stretches from the Villnösser Geisler and the Heiligkreuzkofel to the Civetta and the Cristallo Lagazoi.
On the descent, we stop at the Ciampcios Hut. A delicious lunch on the panoramic terrace, showing each other the best snapshots of the hike, allows tired hikers to recharge their batteries.
The Hotel Excelsior Dolomites Life Resort offers an extensive weekly program of activities. "Every Wednesday, my wife Tamara and I go hiking with our guests. Among other wonderful routes, there is also the Edelweiss Tour. We get a lot of positive feedback after our guided hikes," says Werner Call happily. "We offer a guided hike six days a week as part of the Excelsior adventure program – either with our certified guides Otto and Paolo or, on Wednesdays, with Tamara and me."
So there's no chance of getting bored on vacation at the Hotel Excelsior Dolomites Life Resort, where, in addition to hiking in South Tyrol, archery, Pilates, HIIT, bike tours, wellness treatments, and much more are also offered.
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