A summer full of alpine pleasures

It is no wonder that the Land of the Three Pinnacles was a popular destination of famous alpinists already 200 years ago. Today, the Sesto Dolomites Nature Park is a real must for mountain lovers. Whether comfortable or extreme: an infinite number of hiking and mountain bike trails leads to characteristic alpine huts, adventurous climbing paths, deep mountain lakes and breathtaking panoramic mountain tops. Furthermore, the cycling path Puster Valley – Lienz (A), the highest indoor climbing gym of Italy, golf courses, riding stables, tennis, the Acquafun adventure bath and a summer sledging run provide for lots of fun and enjoyment in your mountain holidays. The Gruber Guesthouse represents also a perfect starting point for numerous hiking tours allowing you to spend some car-free days of rest and relaxation.

A dynamic summer

Towering peaks, fairytale scenery, and charming mountain huts provide the ideal setting for unlimited walking and climbing. The Italian Dolomiti Alps were not designated a UNESCO Natural World Heritage without ample reason.

Below, we describe only a few of the countless hiking itineraries offered by Sesto and Upper Val Pusteria. Some can be started directly from our hotel door; other departure points can be reached almost as easily.

We offer our guests the chance to go on any one of 3 different guided excursions every week that are 1-full day or 1-half day long in the company of a mountain guide from the Sesto Mountaineering School. In addition to an unforgettable experience, our guests also learn a lot about the mountains and the area’s landscape and culture.

Recommended: Mobilcard

The Alto Adige Orientale Mobilcard/Mobilcard Südtirol Ost lets you use all the buses and trains from San Candido to Bolzano for just 15 Euros a week. Leave your car in the garage while you’re on vacation!

A few excursions:

Passo Monte Croce- Alpe di Nemes- Malga Coltrondo

Starting from Passo Monte Croce (1636 m), walk comfortably along Mountain Service Road 131 through enchanting hilly scenery past First World War military ruins. Ascend to Alpe di Nemes at 1950 m a.s.l. in around 1-1 ½ hours. A leisurely trail brings you down to Malga Coltrondo (1880m) 30 minutes later. Take Trail 149/131 back to Passo Monte Croce

"Three Mountain Huts Tour": Comici –Pian di Cengia- Locatelli (at the famous Tre Cime/Three Peaks)

Start from the Piano Fiscalino Hut parking lot, reach Fondovalle Hut after 30 minutes along a level trail. Continue to the right along Trail 102-103 before soon coming to a fork: the left (Trail 103) leads to Comici Hut (2224 m). After reaching the Hut in around 2 hours, continue going left (on Trail 101) and reach Pian di Cengia Hut (2548 m) in around 1 hour. Descend various switchbacks in northwest direction and then begin climbing slightly again over the splendid Dei Piani lakes and reaching Tre Cime Hut in around an hour and a half (2438 m). Descend through Val Sassovecchio in the direction of Fondovalle Hut and return to your point of departure. Difference in altitude: approx. 1,100 m Hiking time: approx. 7 hours

Crossing Monte Elmo Crest

Take the panoramic Sesto cableway to reach the Mont’Elmo restaurant at 2050 m without a sweat. A 1-1 ¼ hr hike on Trail 4 – 4a brings you to the summit of Monte Elmo (2434 m). From here, continue hiking along the Cresta Carnica (the actual border between Italy and Austria), passing by Sillianer Hut before reaching the top of Monte Arnese at 2550 m. From here, descend towards Malga Klammbach (Trail 134-133) where Trail 13 descends to the hamlet of Negerdorf where a comfortable service road passes by Pendio Monte Elmo Hut and brings you to Albergo Panorama. From here, the "Katzensteig" Trail brings you directly back to Hotel Gruber. Difference in altitude: approx. 400 m Hiking time: approx 4 - 5 hours

Croda Rossa- Monte Croce- Bagni di Moso Loop Trail

Take the Croda Rossa cableway and step out at 1900 m a.s.l. Cross Prati di Croda Rossa Meadows on Loop Trail 19 (for families), passing by the "Felsenarena" (“rocky arena”) and the "Wildererunterschlupf” (Bracconieri Hut). Trail 18 winds between boulders towards Malga Schellab. The trail continues fairly level to Passo Monte Croce, where Trail 13A takes you in the direction of Moso to Signaue station down valley and the "Henn Stoll" (“Pollaio/Chicken Coop”) restaurant. From here, take the «Sentiero attorno a Sesto/Sesto Loop Trail» to return to your departure point in the Bagni di Moso parking lot. Difference in altitude: approx. 100 m Hiking time: approx 3 ½ - 4 hours

Sentiero della Meditazione-Cappella del Bosco-Baita del Cacciatore

The Sentiero della Meditazione/Meditation Trail that leads to the Cappella del Bosco/Chapel in the Woods that served as an “emergency church” during the First World War starts right in front of Hotel Gruber. From the Chapel, continue along Trail 4 towards the Cacciatore Hut and then descend towards Sesto along Monte di Fuori or Monte di Mezzo. Difference in altitude: approx. 500 m Hiking time: approx. 2 hours

The many opportunities for trekking in and around Sesto are complemented by numerous breathtaking fixed-aid climbing routes like Paterno, Strada degli Alpini, and Cima della Croda Rossa that ensure the more daring hikers an experience never to be forgotten.

The Mountain Climbing and Hiking Guides trained at the Tre Cime Mountaineering School  will be happy to accompany you wherever you wish to go.

You might also like to discover the Dolomiti Alps in the saddle of a mountain bike. Many different itineraries at every level of difficulty through truly spectacular scenery await you in Upper Val Pusteria.

The sports and leisure activities we propose are exciting and original indeed. You’ll find a map with all the information you need for the most adventurous vacation you could ever desire in your room upon your arrival.

Photos: Tourism Association Alta Pusteria (Photographer: Blickle, Rier, Schönegger, Santini)