Via Alpina Red R28

The Via Alpina Red R28 is an approximately 18 km point-to-point trail stage in South Tyrol, Italy, descending around 1,000 m net from the Seekofelhütte / Rifugio Biella at 2,327 m to St. Martin in Gsies at roughly 1,300 m. Rated moderate, it threads the Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park and ranks among the most scenic single days on the Red Trail.

About the Via Alpina Red R28

The Via Alpina is a network of five colour-coded long-distance hiking trails across the Alps, created in 2000 and supported by EU funding from 2001 until 2008. The Red Trail (stages R1 to R161) is the longest of the five, running from Muggia near Trieste to the Palais in Monaco and crossing all eight Alpine countries: Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Italy, France and Monaco. Stage R28 is one segment of that 161-stage journey, and it falls squarely inside the Italian Dolomites.

According to the official route, R28 links the Seekofelhütte (Rifugio Biella) to St. Martin in Gsies (San Martino in Casies). The hut sits on a high karst shelf below the Croda del Becco / Seekofel at 2,810 m, while St. Martin is a quiet village in the Gsies valley (Val Casies) in the far north-east of South Tyrol. Because the day loses roughly 1,000 m more than it climbs, R28 reads as a long, rewarding descent stage rather than a summit push, making it accessible to fit hikers with multi-day mountain experience.

The stage lies inside the Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park, a protected area of about 25,680 hectares that forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites. Hikers who want to understand how this fits a longer itinerary should treat R28 as the bridge between the high Sennes plateau and the gentler pasture country of the Gsies and Pustertal valleys. For trip planning across several stages, you can map the daily legs, accommodation and water points in the HikeLoad hike planner.

What makes R28 distinctive among the 161 Red Trail stages is the geological contrast it covers in a single day. You begin on the pale, weathered dolomite limestone of the Croda del Becco group, cross the karst grasslands of Sennes where rainwater vanishes into sinkholes rather than running off in streams, and finish among the green hay meadows and larch forest of Val Casies. That transition from austere high plateau to lived-in farming valley is a hallmark of the eastern Dolomites and a reason many through-hikers rate this section a personal favourite. The trail is well waymarked with the Via Alpina red logo alongside the standard South Tyrol numbered signposts, so navigation is straightforward in clear weather, though the open Sennes shelf can be disorienting in fog.

Route Overview & Stages

The table below places R28 in the context of its neighbouring Red Trail stages in the Dolomites so you can see how a multi-day section connects. Distances and elevation figures are approximate, as the official Via Alpina stage sheets describe broad route corridors rather than surveyed kilometre marks.

R28 itself breaks naturally into three legs: an open traverse of the Sennes high pastures past the Sennes hut, a steady descent through forest and alp toward the Pragser/Gsies divide, and a final valley walk into St. Martin. Budget 5 to 7 hours of walking, plus stops, and start early so you reach the valley before afternoon thunderstorms build. The cumulative climb of roughly 350 m is modest, but the long downhill puts real strain on knees and quads, so trekking poles are a genuine help on this stage rather than a luxury. Carry at least 1.5 litres of water from the hut, because the karst terrain on Sennes means surface water is scarce until you reach the forested descent.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Seekofelhütte / Rifugio Biella (2,327 m) — the stage start, a classic Dolomite hut beneath the Croda del Becco, run by the Italian Alpine Club and a popular sunrise viewpoint.
• Croda del Becco / Seekofel (2,810 m) — the dominant peak above the hut; an optional summit detour for confident scramblers wanting a 360-degree Dolomites panorama.
• Sennes plateau (Alpe di Sennes) — a broad, gently rolling karst grassland that feels more like a high steppe than typical jagged Dolomite terrain.
• Rifugio Sennes (2,126 m) — a working alpine refuge mid-route, ideal for a coffee and strudel break with views back to the Fanes peaks.
• Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park — the 25,680-hectare protected area you cross all day, part of the UNESCO Dolomites and home to chamois, marmots and golden eagles.
• Gsies valley (Val Casies) — the green, hay-meadow valley that receives the descent, known for traditional South Tyrolean farms and the Gsieser Tal cross-country trails.
• St. Martin in Gsies (San Martino in Casies, ~1,300 m) — the stage end, a small village with guesthouses, a bus link and the medieval St. Martin parish church.

Best Time to Hike the Via Alpina Red R28

The realistic season runs from mid-June to early October, when the high Sennes shelf is clear of significant snow and the mountain huts are open. The single best month is September. As of 2026, early autumn offers the most stable high-pressure weather, fewer afternoon thunderstorms than July, thinner crowds than the August peak, and crisp visibility across the Croda del Becco massif. Daytime temperatures at hut level typically sit around 10 to 16 degrees Celsius in September, dropping near freezing overnight.

July and August deliver the warmest, longest days and the fullest hut service, but the Dolomites are notorious for building convective storms after midday, so an early start is essential. June can still hold old snow in north-facing gullies near the Seekofel, and some huts open only from mid-month. By mid-October, refuges begin closing for the season and the first snowfalls can reach 2,000 m, so check current openings before committing. Whenever you go, confirm hut bookings well ahead, as Sennes and Biella fill quickly on summer weekends.

Practical Information

Accommodation

R28 is a hut-to-valley stage, so you sleep in a mix of alpine refuges and village guesthouses. At the start, the Seekofelhütte / Rifugio Biella offers dormitory bunks and a few private rooms; expect roughly 55 to 75 EUR per person for half board (dinner, bed and breakfast) in a dorm, with private rooms higher. Rifugio Sennes mid-route has similar half-board pricing around 60 to 80 EUR. In St. Martin in Gsies and the wider Gsies valley, family-run guesthouses (Gasthof) and B&Bs typically run 40 to 70 EUR per person per night, often including breakfast. Wild camping is restricted inside the nature park; if you carry a tent, plan to use valley campsites in the Pustertal rather than pitching on the Sennes pastures. Always reserve huts in advance during July and August.

Getting There & Back

The gateway is the Pustertal (Val Pusteria) rail line. The nearest major stations are Welsberg-Taisten (Monguelfo-Tesido) and Niederdorf (Villabassa), both on the Fortezza–San Candido railway, around 15 to 25 minutes by local bus from the Gsies valley and the Prags valley trailheads. From St. Martin in Gsies, SAD/Südtirolmobil buses connect to Welsberg station for onward trains. The closest airports are Innsbruck (about 1 hour 45 minutes by road), Verona (around 2 hours 30 minutes) and Venice (roughly 3 hours). To reach the start at Rifugio Biella you walk in from the Pragser Wildsee (Lago di Braies) or via the previous Red Trail stage; the Pragser Wildsee has a seasonal shuttle-bus and parking management system in summer.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to walk the Via Alpina Red R28. The trail is free to access, and the Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park charges no entry fee for hikers. Your main costs are hut half board, meals and transport. In peak summer the Pragser Wildsee access road operates a paid booking and shuttle scheme to control traffic, so if you drive to that side, budget for parking and check the current reservation rules. Confirm route status and openings on the official Via Alpina website and read park rules via the UNESCO Dolomites World Heritage portal before you set out.

Gear & Packing List

Because R28 is a long descent with exposed high terrain at the start, pack for fast-changing alpine weather even in summer: a waterproof shell, insulating mid-layer, sun protection and sturdy boots with good grip for the rocky Sennes traverse. A 35 to 55 litre pack handles a multi-day hut trip comfortably while leaving room for food and water. Reliable options include the Abisko Hike 35 for lighter hut-to-hut loads, the Atmos AG 50 for a fuller multi-day kit, and the ultralight Arc Blast 55L if you are counting grams. For help choosing, see our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026. Since this is a high-output mountain day, plan your fuel using how many calories you need hiking a full day, and track your kit weight and meals in the HikeLoad gear planner.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the Dolomites high routes appeal, the classic numbered Alte Vie are the natural next step. They string together huts across the same UNESCO ranges and offer multi-day itineraries with comparable scenery and refuge culture to the Via Alpina Red. Consider these related Italian routes:

• Alta Via n. 2 delle Dolomiti - Dolomiten-Höhenweg Nr. 2 (Italy), 185 km
• Alta via n. 6 delle Dolomiti (Italy), 180 km
• Alta via n. 6 delle Dolomiti - XI tappa (Italy), 180 km
• Alta via n. 6 delle Dolomiti - X tappa (Italy), 180 km
• Alta via n. 9 delle Dolomiti - Dolomiten-Höhenweg Nr. 9 (Italy), 140 km

For a contrasting cross-border experience with a similar hut-to-hut rhythm, the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania delivers dramatic alpine passes at a lower cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Via Alpina Red R28?
September is the best month. As of 2026, early autumn brings stable high pressure, fewer afternoon thunderstorms than midsummer, lighter crowds than August and clear views of the Croda del Becco. The broader season runs mid-June to early October, after which huts close and snow can return above 2,000 m. Always confirm hut openings before you travel.

How difficult is the Via Alpina Red R28?
It rates as moderate. The day involves about 18 km with a net descent near 1,000 m and only around 350 m of climbing, so the main challenge is sustained downhill on rocky and root-laden ground rather than steep ascents. You need good boots, multi-day mountain fitness and comfort with exposed high terrain on the Sennes plateau, but no technical climbing or via ferrata gear.

How long does the Via Alpina Red R28 take per day?
R28 is a single stage of roughly 18 km, typically walked in 5 to 7 hours plus breaks. Most hikers complete it in one day, starting early from the Seekofelhütte / Rifugio Biella to reach St. Martin in Gsies by mid-afternoon. As part of the longer Red Trail, daily Dolomite stages average 14 to 18 km, so plan rest stops and a buffer for weather.

What accommodation is available on the Via Alpina Red R28?
You can stay in alpine refuges and valley guesthouses. The Seekofelhütte / Rifugio Biella and Rifugio Sennes offer half board for roughly 55 to 80 EUR per person, while guesthouses and B&Bs in St. Martin in Gsies run about 40 to 70 EUR. Wild camping is restricted inside the nature park, so book huts ahead, especially during July and August.

Do I need a permit or pay fees for the Via Alpina Red R28?
No permit is required and the Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park charges no entry fee. The trail is free to walk; your costs are hut nights, meals and transport. In peak summer the nearby Pragser Wildsee access road runs a paid booking and shuttle scheme, so if you drive to that trailhead, budget for parking and check the current reservation rules in advance.