Rautkopf, 2605m

Lonely mountain over the Höhlenstein-Valley

• Start: Hotel Alpenblick
• Train/bus: bus Toblach- Innichen- Sexten; Bus Toblach- Misurina- Drei Zinnen;
• Time of walk: rise 3 ½h , descent 2 ¼h; total 5 ¾h
• Huts: No huts on the way
• Map: KOMPASS no 625

If the peaks between the Höhlenstein and Innerfeld valleys are not among the most visited in the Sesto Dolomites, then this is especially true of the Rautkofel: no marked access, a less distinctive profile and higher mountains in the neighbourhood. This does not change the fact that the Rautkopf is a worthwhile destination, especially for lovers of quiet paths. And from the summit there is a magnificent view, including the Three Peaks. Start from the hotel by car or by public bus in the direction of Dobbiaco and from there continue in the direction of Cortina to the former fortress in the Höhlensteintal valley, 500m north of the Hotel Drei Zinnen. From the state road, first take a former gravel road past the ruins of the fortress. After 200 metres, a mulattiera branches off to the right at an acute angle; it climbs in many serpentines over the western flank of the Rautkopf. Originally comfortably wide, the path is now partly overgrown, but the route is still easily recognisable. Cairns make orientation easier. The vegetation gradually becomes sparser, but the views are all the more beautiful, especially of Lake Dürren and the Cristallo massif. You pass old war barracks (2,195 m; rest area), behind which you enter the rocks. Shortly uphill (cairns) to a first ledge that leads to the right onto a sloping scree slope. Special care is required at this somewhat exposed point. Now turn left through the gully and over easy steps (cairns) to a second, prominent ledge (small path), which you follow to the right to the southern ridge of the Rautkopf (approx. 2,475 m). Finally, through a steep gully, laboriously up to the pre-peak with a magnificent panoramic view. A passage to the main summit (2,607 m), which is only a little higher, is urgently not recommended (climbing, extremely brittle rock!)! Descent on the ascent route.

Elevation profile

Compass map