Wurzjoch, also called Passo delle Erbe or Ju de Börz, is a very practical starting point for a circuit around Peitlerkofel, the mountain also known as Sass de Putia. The pass already gives you the main view before the hike starts, so it is worth arriving early and spending a few minutes there.
We started around sunrise at the end of September. There was an inversion in the valleys below the pass, the air was clear, and the route was quiet. That timing worked well: late September is close to the end of the main season, but the weather can still be reasonable and the trails are usually much calmer than in summer.
The loop is not a technical trek in normal dry conditions, but it is still a proper mountain walk. The climb to Forcella de Putia is the main effort of the day, and the rest of the circuit is mostly about steady walking through open meadows, forest sections, and broad views back to the north face of Peitlerkofel.
Parking at Wurzjoch
There is a large parking area directly at Passo delle Erbe, which makes the logistics simple: you start and finish at the same place. During the summer season, roughly from June to October, parking at the pass is paid during the day.
The official South Tyrol tourism information also warns that parking is limited and that parking along the roadside can be fined. That matters especially in July, August, and on clear weekends. If you want a calmer start and easier parking, arrive early or go near the end of the season.
The roads to the pass are narrow in places, especially on the western approaches from the Brixen, Afers, and Villnöss side. From Val Badia, access is generally more straightforward, but conditions and seasonal closures should still be checked before the trip.
From the pass to Forcella de Putia
From Wurzjoch, we first followed the road section away from the pass and then turned uphill towards Forcella de Putia. This is the part where you gain most of the height. The trail climbs steadily below the north side of Peitlerkofel and becomes rockier as it approaches the saddle.
Forcella de Putia is the highest and most important point of the circuit. It is also the place where the character of the route changes. Behind you are the views back towards the pass, and ahead of you the route drops into a more open landscape of meadows and smaller huts.
Do not underestimate this first climb. It is not exposed or technical in good weather, but it is steep enough to make the rest of the walk feel easier. In late September, bring a warmer layer even if the forecast looks stable. The saddle can be windy, and early starts are cold.
Trail 35, Rundweg Peitlerkofel, and Gomajoch
After Forcella de Putia, the route continues down and joins the broader Rundweg Peitlerkofel circuit. We followed trail 35 through the open meadows, where the walking becomes more relaxed and the views keep changing.
This middle section is the reason to do the hike as a loop. You are no longer looking at the same side of the mountain all the time. The path bends around the massif, crosses pastureland, and gives more space than the busy approach near the pass.
Gomajoch is a natural checkpoint before the return side of the circuit. From there, the route turns back towards Wurzjoch. The terrain becomes greener again, with forest sections and open breaks where Peitlerkofel appears between the trees.
Klettergarten Wurzjoch Peitlerkofel
Before returning fully to the pass, we visited the Klettergarten Wurzjoch Peitlerkofel. It is a climbing area below the north face, with large boulders and sport climbing routes in a very scenic position.
Even if you are not climbing, it is a worthwhile short stop. The boulders change the feel of the route, and the view back to the wall of Peitlerkofel is different from the open meadow sections. For climbers, this is a known summer and autumn spot, but the routes are not the reason to include it in a hiking day unless you have gear and time.
From the climbing garden, the return to Wurzjoch is straightforward. The final section closes the loop back at the same parking area, which makes the whole trek easy to plan without buses or a second car.
When to go
Late September is a very good time for this circuit. The main summer rush is over, the parking situation is easier, and the weather can still be stable enough for a full mountain day. You should still check the forecast carefully, because the route is mostly above 2,000 metres and conditions can change quickly.
For photography, sunrise from the pass is the best reason to start early. You do not need to be high on the trail to get a strong first view: Wurzjoch itself is already a viewpoint. If there is inversion in the valleys, the morning from the pass can be the strongest part of the day.
The best version of the trek is simple: start at Wurzjoch, climb to Forcella de Putia, follow trail 35 on the Rundweg Peitlerkofel towards Gomajoch, stop at the climbing garden, and return to the pass. It is a compact circuit, but it gives you the main sides of Peitlerkofel without needing to climb the summit.