Hike from Gudon to Tiso

September is drawing to a close, and the sun warming the hillside meadows is no longer as hot as in midsummer. Just right for a hike at lower altitudes with a highlight at the destination: the Tiso Mineral Museum with the famous "Spheres of Tiso", known as "Teiser Kugeln".

We start in the village centre of Gudon, the "village on the seven hills" near Chiusa. The village is a charming place with its own local museum at the historic "Pfleghaus", and its location leaves no doubt as to why people settled here as early as prehistoric times. We now hike upwards through the forest on path no. 7 and then follow the signpost for "Mittermühl" (nos. 2 and 2B).

The route initially goes uphill for a while, then descends into the lower reaches of the Val di Funes. Here the forest ends, and meadows now stretch all the way up to Tiso. The final kilometre lies ahead of us, orchards come into view, and we still manage to work up a sweat.

To finish, we treat ourselves to a visit to the Mineral Museum. It exhibits numerous specimens of the "Spheres of Tiso", the beautiful geodes that are rarer than diamonds. Unassuming on the outside, they often conceal hollow interiors containing glittering minerals such as amethyst, rock crystal, smoky quartz, or agate. Worldwide, they are found exclusively in the area around Tiso.

Absolutely fascinated by them, we make our way back to Gudon along the same route, arriving there after a total walking time of two hours.

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Author: AT

Experienced: September 2011
Last updated: 2026

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