Alpine pastures blanketed with marsh marigolds, gentian, carnations and cowslips contrast with the spectacular rugged rocks of the Dolomites rising in all directions and surrounding the plateau. In places, you walk alone through these lunar-like karst landscapes, scattered with white stones, boulders and grasslands. Along the way, you are accompanied by the sound of the Dolomites: the whistling of cheeky marmots. It is impossible to ever grow tired of these mountains – especially in the Puez-Odle Nature Park.

The nature park is one of eight of its kind in South Tyrol and still an insider tip. I was here in July and had the hiking trails almost to myself. The area includes the Geisler and Puez mountain groups – imposing, solitary rock formations that are characteristic of the Dolomites. A primordial sea once covered this area – the rock types, deposit layers and weathering bear witness to this ancient time.

The nature park extends 10,722 hectares (26,494 acres) between the Villnöss Valley, the Val Gardena Valley and Alta Badia ski resort with the towns of Abtei, Corvara, Ortisei, S. Cristina and Selva Gardena en route. The terrain on this adventure is alpine – you cover around 2,500 metres (8,202 ft) in elevation gain.

This four-day Collection starts and ends in Daunei in Selva Gardena which is reachable by car or bus. From here, you explore the Puez-Odle Nature Park in four stages, spending the night at the Regensburger Hut, the Schlüter Hut and finally the Gardenacia Hut.

I travelled here with my dog and skipped the via ferrata at the Nives Scharte. If you go over the Sharte, you shorten stage 3 and arrive, after a larger dose of adrenaline, at the Gardenancia Hut. A special highlight is waiting for you here – a sauna where you can rest your tired legs overlooking the Marmolada, Pelmo and Civetta peaks. South Tyrol is a wonderful place for adventures.