Out of the hotel –up into the mountains

Difficulty: easy

Walking time: approx. 45 minutes

Elevation gain: 160 metres

Short but wonderfully scenic, this via ferrata is ideal for beginners. The route starts at the Auronzo mountain hut at 2,320 metres above sea level and leads via the A. Locatelli–S. Innerkofler/Dreizinnenhütte hut and the Paterno/Paternsattel. After the approach, follow the De Luca–
Innerkofler ferrata (grade B/C) through historic wartime tunnels to the summit of Mt Paterno/Paternkofel. Want to extend the adventure? Descend via the “Schartenweg” trail.

Difficulty: easy

Approach: approx. 1.5 hours

Ascent: 4.5–5 hours

Elevation gain: 1,200 metres 

The Sexten Rotwandsteig leads across the intricate north face of Cima Dieci/Zehner, part of the famous Sexten Sundial. Along the way, you’ll come across numerous relics from the First World War, as the route follows former front-line paths. From the top, the sweeping views showcase the main Alpine ridge and the Carnic Alps.

Difficulty: medium

Approach: approx. 45–60 minutes

Ascent: 2.5–3.5 hours

Elevation gain: 450 metres

The queen of the Sexten Dolomites: Cima Grande/Große Zinne. Experienced climbers can tackle the normal route from the Auronzo mountain hut (south side) – offering varied ground with easy passages and climbing up to grade IV – and savour that indescribable summit feeling. If you would feel safer with a guide, you are welcome to book host Joe to accompany you.

Difficulty: easy

Approach: approx. 2.5 hours

Ascent: 5 hours

Elevation gain: 1,400 metres

A true classic of the Sexten Dolomites, famous for its dramatic “shadow” motif. Built by the Alpini (Italian mountain troops) during the First World War, the Strada degli Alpini/Alpinisteig is now a popular, beginner-friendly via ferrata. The route runs from the Prati di Croda Rossa/Rotwandwiesen lift, over the Forcella Undici/Elferscharte, to the Carducci mountain hut or Zsigmondy hut. Skipping the lift? Start directly from the Fondovalle/Talschlusshütte hut in Val Fiscalina/Fischleintal and follow the “Strada degli Alpini/Alpinisteig” signs. You’ll reach the famed shadow view – created by two closely spaced rock faces – on the final section.

Difficulty: easy

Approach: approx. 1.5 hours

Ascent: 4.5–5 hours

Elevation gain: 1,200 metres 

The Sexten Rotwandsteig leads across the intricate north face of Cima Dieci/Zehner, part of the famous Sexten Sundial. Along the way, you’ll come across numerous relics from the First World War, as the route follows former front-line paths. From the top, the sweeping views showcase the main Alpine ridge and the Carnic Alps.

Difficulty: intermediate

Approach: approx. 1 hour

Ascent: 4.5 hours

Elevation gain: 840 metres

This via ferrata on the Arzalpenturm begins at the Croce di Comelico/Kreuzberg pass. First, follow the trail to Forcella Plan della Biscia, then continue along a path to the ferrata entry in a scree gully. It initially traces the east face before adding a more athletic variant and finishing on a panoramic plateau with wide views over the Sexten Dolomites. From the plateau, it’s a short additional push to Croda Sora i Colesei/Arzalpenkopf (2,371m). On the descent, you can also explore an old First World War tunnel.

Distance: 150km

Duration: 8–11 days

Elevation: 840 metres

The Carnic High Trail – also known as the Peace Trail – runs along the ridge of the Carnic Alps and the Austria-Italy border from Sillian to Thörl-Maglern. Its total length of 150km can be easily split into 8 to 11 stages – or you can tackle individual stages as day trips. Many hikers and mountaineers divide it into two main parts: Sillian to Untere Valentinalm and the mountaineering village of Mauthen, then Mauthen to Thörl-Maglern – making Mauthen the ideal base camp.

Length: 18.5km

Duration: 8 hours

Elevation gain: 1,800 metres

A popular circuit with spectacular views of the Sexten Sundial – Cima Undici/Elfer, Cima Dodici/Zwölfer, and Cima Una/Einser – as well as the Three Peaks. Start in Val Fiscalina/Fischleintal, then trek past the Fondovalle/Talschlusshütte hut, followed by the Zsigmondyhütte hut, the Pian di Cengia/Büllelejoch hut, and the A. Locatelli–S. Innerkofler/Dreizinnenhütte hut, before returning to the valley.

Length: 15km

Duration: 6 hours

Elevation gain: 223 metres

Start by taking the Prati di Croda Rossa/Rotwandwiesen cable car. Follow trail no. 15 across the Prati di Croda Rossa/Rotwandwiesen meadows, through a sparse forest and beneath the striking rocks of the Croda Rossa/Rotwand, Cima Nove/Neuner and Croda Sora i Colesei/Arzalpenkopf. Climb to Croda Sora i Colesei/Arzalpenkopf, then descend to Passo Monte Croce di Comelico/Kreuzbergpass, and finish by either taking the bus to Family Resort Rainer or walking back via trail no. 13A and the Sexten circular trail.

Length: 13km

Duration: 5-6 hours

Elevation gain: 844 metres

For this hike, take the cable car up to the Prati di Croda Rossa/Rotwandwiesen meadows. Walk past the Rudi mountain hut and pick up the upper path, no. 100, passing the top station of the T-bar lift towards the Cime di Croda Rossa/Rotwandköpfe. En route, you can visit the Bellum Aquilarum open-air museum for fascinating insights into the First World War in the Sexten mountains. Finally, descend on trail no. 122 into Val Fiscalina/Fischleintal, and continue out of the valley on trail no. 124.