Sesvennagruppe in South Tyrol

Moreover, a section of the international long-distance hiking trail Via Alpina, which crosses eight Alpine countries from Trieste to Monaco, runs through the territory.

The mountainous panorama is made up of several peaks over three thousand meters, with Piz Sesvenna being the highest summit (3,204 meters). A popular ascent to this peak starts from the South Tyrolean village of Schlinig - passing the Sesvennahütte, over the Sesvennascharte, further over a glacier formation, and finally over the eastern ridge. Another route also starts from South Tyrol - via Taufers it leads through the Avigna Valley, a side valley of the Münster Valley, to the summit.

The Piz Sesvenna not only enjoys an excellent reputation among hikers, it also attracts ski tourers to its realm in the winter months. In good weather conditions, you can almost start the descent directly from the summit.

Another significant three-thousander is the Piz Starlex (3,075 meters), which rises exactly on the Italian-Swiss border. A relatively easy ascent route runs from the Avigna Valley over idyllic meadows, rocky ridges, and scree slopes up to the summit cross. However, there is a climbing section - so climbing experience would certainly be helpful.

Although not a three-thousander, the Piz Lad (2,808 meters) in the tri-border area of Italy, Switzerland, and Austria is still outstandingly high. As a border mountain, it marks the northern endpoint of the Sesvenna group. Those who want to conquer its summit are best off starting from Reschen in the South Tyrolean Vinschgau and hiking from here over the Reschner Alm (by the way, the path to the Reschner Alm is also accessible). Over marked paths and trails, you can reach the summit in 2.5 hours. The Piz Lad is also worth a visit for ski tourers.

The Elferspitze (2,926 meters) near the Reschensee has an unusual past. Together with two other peaks, the Zwölferkopf and the Zehnerkopf, it was once used to determine the time, as the position of the sun could be observed from the South Tyrolean hamlet of Rojen. That's why this trio of peaks is also called the "Rojen Sundial".
The ascent is via the Haideralm (accessible by a cable car from St. Valentin auf der Haide). A marked path leads further to Schöneben, over the Haiderscharte and the southern ridge (rocky, sometimes a bit challenging) and finally to the summit. Expect about 2.5 hours from the Haideralm.

In the Italian section of the Sesvenna group, there is only one Alpine Club hut - the aforementioned Sesvennahütte (2,256 meters). In the summer months, it is operated from mid-June to the end of October, and in winter from the end of February to the end of April. As an accommodation option, it offers not only guest rooms, but also several dormitories. Those who start the ascent from Schlinig will reach the hut in 2 hours. From Burgeis in the Vinschgau, you should expect 3.5 hours.

You may encounter some mountain bikers, as the Joe Route runs in the immediate vicinity - a significant Transalp tour that leads from Bavaria to Lake Garda, covering more than 430 kilometers.