The pass serves as the primary gateway to the Puez-Odle Nature Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Sass de Putia, which looms over the pass, is geologically significant for its distinct limestone composition compared to the surrounding volcanic peaks.
Würzjoch sits on the border between the German-speaking municipality of San Martin de Tor and the Val di Funes valley.
It is a popular transit point for long-distance mountain bike routes crossing the Dolomites.
Würzjoch (Passo delle Erbe) is a high-altitude mountain pass in the Dolomites, connecting the Val di Funes with the Val Badia. At an elevation of 1,987 meters, it serves as a gateway to the Puez-Odle Nature Park. The pass is distinguished by its direct, unobstructed view of the north face of the Sass de Putia (Peitlerkofel) massif. It features a narrow, winding road that is strictly seasonal due to heavy winter snowfalls. The surrounding landscape consists of high-alpine meadows and limestone cliffs characteristic of the South Tyrolean Dolomites. Several mountain huts at the summit provide access to hiking trails ranging from short loops to technical mountain climbs. It acts as a geological boundary between the sedimentary rocks of the Northern Dolomites and the surrounding volcanic terrain.
The meadow area immediately west of the mountain huts, looking up toward the Sass de Putia north face.
Approach from the Val Badia side if you prefer a slightly wider, less intimidating road compared to the steep, narrow ascent from Val di Funes.
Always check local road status bulletins, as the pass frequently closes for maintenance or extreme weather even during the shoulder season.
Pack windproof layers, as temperatures at this elevation can drop significantly even in mid-summer.
Attempting the pass in a large campervan or caravan, as the road contains hairpin turns and extremely narrow sections.
Closed during winter months due to snow; typically opens in late spring and closes in late autumn depending on snowfall.
Stick to marked trails to protect the fragile alpine meadow flora.
