To the Drei-Zinnen-Hut, 2.405 m

The classic tour of the Sexten Dolomites is the one around Cima Una, a hike that offers splendid scenery of the Three Peaks and three managed refuges in which to stop and admire the view. This also explains the enormous popularity of this tour, but the fact that there are always crowds of hikers should not detract from the pleasure of walking these trails. The problem, therefore, is not so much the presence of other mountain enthusiasts as the direction of the route: clockwise or anti-clockwise? Both variations are suggestive. If you choose the route through the Val Sassovecchio, you can admire the Tre Cime (2999m) in the midday sun, the Val Fiscalina Alta with the Cime Dodici, Undici and Croda Rossa in the late afternoon sun. But you can also climb up to the Rifugio Locatelli in the afternoon to enjoy a beautiful sunset over the Tre Cime and then undertake the longer tour on another occasion, including other peaks, for example Monte Paterno (hike 13) or the Torre di Toblin (hike 15). Other beautiful destinations off the beaten track are the Lastron dei Scarperi (hike 32), Mount Popera (hike 34), but also the Croda Fiscalina (hike 33), one of the most panoramic pulpits in the heart of the Sexten Dolomites. From the hotel you go to the church in Moos and from there take the bus to the large car park at Piano Fiscalino (1454m) and continue along the valley floor to the popular Fondo Valle Fiscalino hut (1562m). From here, head west into the Val Sassovecchio. At the crossroads (1631m), continue straight on. On the left, the north faces of Cima Uno (2698m) and Croda Fiscalina (2677m) rise up, in the background, above Alpe dei Piani, the bizarre bell towers of Monte Paterno (2744m) and Torre di Toblin (2617m) stand out. Between these two peaks, in the Forcella di Toblin (2405m) is the Rifugio Locatelli (Locatelli Hut), which can be reached in the last stretch of the moderate climb by a wide bend to the left. And here we are in front of the Tre Cime, which rise up from the screes of the Alpe dei Piani. A thrilling sight for every hiker. The trail continues between the bell towers and spires (including the famous "Salsiccia") of the north ridge of Monte Paterno, descends a little to the Alpe dei Piani with its small lakes, crosses the scree slopes below the Crode dei Piani and climbs up on a steep track to Pian di Cengia (2522m) with a splendid view of the mighty Cima Dodici (3094m). A few more steps in a north-westerly direction and we are at the beautiful Pian di Cengia hut (2528m). A ledge carved out of the rock leads level to the nearby Fiscalino Pass (2519m), from where there is an impressive view of the Upper Fiscalina Valley. This is where Cima Undici (3092m) rises with its imposing mass and the high ridge that continues south to Cima Zsigmondy (2998m), Monte Popera (3046m) and Monte Giralba (2995m). The desolate glacial cirque of the Busa di Dentro, through which you access Monte Popera, is striking, as is the large detrital terrace on the western flank of Cima Undici, where the "Via degli Alpini" (hike 36) passes. With these splendid images in your eyes, descend to the Comici hut (2224m), in a beautiful position in front of Cima Dodici (3094m). From the hut, a few hairpin bends down steep detrital slopes lead to the upper Fischlein valley, then up the left side and down again on a steep path to the fork at the entrance to the Sassovecchio valley (1631m). On the way back you pass the Fondo Valle Fiscalino hut (1526m), ending the hike at the Hotel Dolomiti and returning by bus to the church in Moso and the hotel.

 

Alta Via Dolomiti di Sesto

The Alta Via Dolomiti di Sesto is an exceptional three- or four-day trek in a dreamlike setting. It starts at Lake Misurina and ends at Sesto, all on marked trails and via ferrata. Route: Col de Varda (2115m, chairlift from Misurina), Sentiero Bonacossa, Rifugio Fonda Savio (2367m), Rifugio Auronzo (2320m), Malga Longia, Rifugio Locatelli (2045m) Ferrata De Luca, Monte Paterno (2744m), Via delle Forcelle, Col di Cengia (2522m), Col di Cengia hut (2528m), Comici hut (2224m), Via degli Alpini, Croda Rossa (2936m), Prati di Croda Rossa (1914m) and chair lift to Bagni di Moso. Walking time: approx. 18 hours. Climbing and mountaineering equipment required, sleeping bag for huts.