Drei Zinnen / Three Peaks

Dolomites World Heritage Geotrail II - Stage 9: from the Plätzwiese High Plateau to the Dreizinnenhütte Hut

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The ninth stage of the Dolomites World Heritage Geotrail II leads up the Rienztal valley to the Dreizinnenhütte hut in the shadow of the Three Peaks. This stage takes in a precise moment in the geological history of the Dolomites, namely when, 235 million years ago, after a period of intense volcanic activity, new reefs of algae, sponges and corals took root on the cores of the previous tropical atolls.

More information: www.dolomitiunesco.info/attivita/dolomites-world-heritage-geotrail/

During the winter and summer season you can reach the Plätzwiese High Plateau with your car in exchange for payment until 10 am and after 3 pm. In between you can only drive to the chargeable parking area of Ponticello and take the bus. Alternatively you can take the bus (bus line 443) to reach Brückele/Ponticello/Plätzwiese/Prato Piazza. 

During the low season you can reach the Plätzwiese High Plateau with your car at any time and at no charge. 

You start at the Hotel Hohe Gaisl on the Plätzwiese High Plateau and follow the wide path until you reach the Dürrensteinhütte Hut. Behind the hut you can see the hike path leading on the mountain Strudelkopf/ Monte Specie. The path has no path number, but it is well signposted. Once you arrive on the mountain saddle you can already see the summit cross which you will reach in about 20 minutes (along the way: GEOSTOP R). On the top you enjoy a stunning panorama and at the world heritage viewing platform you find an explanation of all the great mountain peaks around you. Then the markers show you the way to Landro. The long descent ends near the viewpoint "Vista Tre Cime" (GEOSTOP S). You cross the main street to reach the parking area, there you follow the hike path no. 102 towards the Dreizinnenhütte Hut. You hike through the valley Valle della Rienza until the hike path becomes steeper and leads to the plateau of the Three Peaks of Lavaredo. After some steep serpentines you arrive to a fork where you go upwards and within a short time you finally reach the Dreizinnenhütte Hut.