Monte Tullen: In the Hidden Heart of the Eores Dolomites
The trail starts in a forest of dense spruces, bathed in a soft, filtered light on a cloudy morning. The ascent is steady and the terrain is uneven, with roots emerging as silent obstacles and damp stones requiring careful footing. We are in the Odle subgroup of the Geisler group, whose jagged peaks are dominated by the highest peak: Monte Tullen. As we climb higher, the forest gradually opens up. The trees thin out and the landscape gradually reveals itself, almost shyly. The hidden Eores Odle's scree slopes appear like threatening masses of rock, carved by time and wind. Silence surrounds us. Our breath shortens and our legs grow heavier. This is where the real hike begins, where the trail narrows and becomes more exposed, and where we grab onto a metal cable to aid our climb along the most difficult stretch.
Once we reach the grassy slopes above the forest, the Odles rise like a vertical dream before us, their sharp spires stretching across the horizon from west to east. We now walk along a ridge, with steep slopes falling away to the right, and the wind picking up. We have entered the most striking part of the trail, where pale dolomite walls tower above the green slopes. Light-coloured rocks line the path just before we reach the scree field, a vast expanse of stones that whisper beneath our boots. We climb slowly here, prioritising balance over speed.
The final section is the most challenging. We ascend an exposed ridge where the path narrows amongst the rocks. The trail becomes less defined, and we have to use our hands to navigate the more challenging sections. We move across stone and barely visible tracks, with the summit always seeming just a little further ahead. Our hearts beat fast, not only from exertion, but also from the subtle adrenaline rush that comes with knowing we are somewhere that doesn't give itself up easily. The void opens to the right. Dark clouds are driven by the wind, which now blows fiercely, adding an extra element of tension. Every step requires calmness and focus. It’s not a long stretch, but it’s the one that separates you from the silence of the summit.
Then, suddenly, the view opens up from the summit of Monte Tullen (2,655 m). To the left, Sass de Putia stands alone and massive, like a guardian of the Dolomites. To the right is the Odle di Funes. Further away are the peaks of the Puez Group, and beyond those, the Fanes Group stands out sharply and clearly on the horizon.
To the north, the Plose peaks stand out, and even further away, the Sesto Dolomites can be seen. To the southeast, the iconic silhouettes of Monte Pelmo and Civetta come into view. At the summit, beside the cross, your legs will tremble slightly, but not only from fatigue. The tension dissolves. Your mind empties. The wind carries the scent and silence of the rock. The Odle rise like pinnacles just beneath our feet. Up here, something unique is created because, in that moment and in that place, nothing more can be added.
