The Sexten Dolomites are actually still part of the Hochpustertal valley, but the choice of tours in this region is so large that you could easily fill a separate section with them. The centrepiece of this mountain group is the famous Three Peaks. You can feel this from the streams of hikers pulsating along the paths to these three striking Dolomite pillars. There's no real flow when biking. That's why we prefer to switch to quieter trails, which offer spectacular panoramic views as well as much more riding fun. From three-day tours to one-day panoramic classics.
What's new around Sesto in 2016?
"We have a new nature trail, the 'Orto del Toro'. It is five kilometres long and doesn't need to hide behind our famous 'Monte Spina Trail'. Just the thought of this descent is like the best anti-depressant. And even if I believe that you should earn this trail honestly, I can tell you that you can make the ascent to the 'Stiergarten' much easier by taking the cable car. Afterwards for a 'Pustertaler Freiheit' to the Putschall inn." (Markus Lanzinger, Bikeacademy Sesto Dolomites)
"THE novelty is certainly the "Giro Singletrail Tour", a cable car tour of the Bikeacademy Sesto Dolomites over four mountains with 4500 metres of depth on natural singletrails. Another new feature is that the Drei Zinnen cable car is now open to all bikers and a time regulation has been introduced for the other cable cars. Previously, the cable car was only open with a guide." (Arno Feichtner, Bikeguide Sesto)
The absolute panoramic classics in the Sesto Dolomites
- "Military Trail" Marchkinkele: 65 km/1800 altitude metres, difficulty: difficult
On the fantastic ascent on an old military road from the First World War, you are accompanied by the unique panorama of the Sesto Dolomites including the Three Peaks with every step. The final descent via a cool trail to the Silvesteralm
.
- "Demuth & Monte Spina Trail": 35 km/1400 metres in altitude, difficulty: difficult
Ascent with the Helmbahn cable car to 2000 metres. This is the start of the fantastic trail tour over the Carnic ridge with 360-degree views of the Sesto Dolomites and the Zillertal Alps; some technically difficult sections followed by flowing trails over Monte Spina into the neighbouring province of Belluno.
- Prato Piazza and Strudelkopf: 48.9 km/1160 m elevation gain, difficulty: medium
From Niederdorf on tarmac to Prags and on to the Prato Piazza meadows. From there continue to the Dürrenstein hut. After a refreshment stop, head up to the old fort on the Strudelkopf with a magnificent panoramic view of the Three Peaks.
- Stoneman Trail by former marathon world champion Roland Stauder:
From one scenic highlight to the next in three days and collect pass stamps along the way. The turn-offs are marked with cairns.
Part 1: From Moos via Nemes-Alpe and Rotwandwiesen - 27.4 km/1177 metres in altitude
Part 2: Via Sillianer Hütte and Demuth Passage - 60.6 km/3090 vertical metres
Part 3: Via Kniebergsattel and Monte Spina - 43.8 km/1470 m elevation gain
Detailed route information: www.stoneman.it and www.trails
- Lavaredo Ultra Trail: 118 km/5740 metres in altitude, difficulty: difficult
The Lavaredo Ultra Trail is a notorious course among trail runners. British photographer and adventurer Dan Milner nevertheless ventured out on his bike. Here are the BIKE history and the route to the Lavaredo Ultra Trail.
Information about mountain biking in the Sesto Dolomites
The precinct
In the Sesto/Hochpustertal region, the focus is still clearly on hiking tourism. However, there are no biking bans except in the immediate vicinity of the Three Peaks. However, mountain bikes are excluded from transport on all cable cars and lifts. Transport on buses is also problematic. The Sesto Dolomites are therefore still a classic touring area. You still have to work for your own panorama.
Journey
By car: Take the Brenner motorway to the Brixen/Pustertal exit. Continue on the SS49 motorway towards Bruneck and Innichen as far as Sexten.
By train: Dobbiaco and San Candido are easy to reach by train. The problem is rather the bike transport in the Italian trains. Info: www.trenitalia.it and www.bahn.de
Weather
The local microclimate is a kind of hybrid. On the one hand, the region is influenced by the south, while on the other, the proximity to the main Alpine ridge is noticeable. So always check the weather forecast before you go.
Tour literature
BIKE Guide "Dolomites" with 30 tours between Sesto and Catinaccio, incl. road books to take out, maps and GPS data. Ralf Glaser, Delius Klasing Verlag, price: 29.90 euros, www.delius-klasing.de
Guided tours
Bikeacademy Sesto Dolomites, Arno Feichter, www.bikeacademy-sextnerdolomiten.com
Bike shops
Papin Sport San Candido, www.papinsport.com
Bikeacademy Sesto Dolomites, www.bikeacademy-sextnerdolomiten.com
Maps
Tabacco, sheet 010 "Sesto Dolomites" and sheet 017 "Dolomiti di Auronzo e del Comelico" (1:25000)
General information
Alta Pusteria Tourist Office in Dobbiaco, tel. 0039/0474/913156, www.hochpustertal.info
Accommodation
BIKE tip: Dolomites.Life.Hotel.Alpenblick****s
The Dolomites.Life.Hotel. Alpenblick in Sesto is the first bike hotel in Sesto. Host Markus and hostess Sabine are passionate hosts and trained bike guides. Together with other bike enthusiasts, they founded the Bikeacademy Sesto Dolomites. Their aim is to develop Sesto step by step into an excellent mountain bike destination.
www.bikehotel-dolomiten.com
Tel. 0039/0474/710379
Further accommodation with special services and GPS tours for mountain bikers can be found at: www.bikehotels.it
