Pfannhorn, 2663 m

Starting point: Hotel Alpenblick

Train/bus: Sesto-San Candido-Dobbiaco bus line, Dobbiaco city bus;

Walking time: Ascent 3 ½ hrs; descent 2 ¼ hrs; total 5 ¾ hrs.

Character: A slightly difficult summit hike on marked paths, which however requires some endurance due to the difference in altitude ( 1,000 m).

It is no coincidence that many of the elevations on the edge of the Dolomites are known as particularly rewarding lookout points: Looking down on the "most beautiful mountains in the world" (Le Corbusier) is something for connoisseurs. In the case of the Pfannhorn, which stands pretty much to the north-east of Dobbiaco on the border with East Tyrol, there is not only a beautiful view of the valley but also of the Rieserfern massif and Hohe Tauern. The Toblacher Höhenweg (Dobbiaco High Altitude Trail) offers a really great tour; less strenuous is an ascent of the Pfannhorn from Kandellen. From the hotel, take the public bus or the car to Dobbiaco and from there continue to Candelle (5km from Dobbiaco). The summit tour begins on the road and leads at first shadily into the Gulf Valley. At the fork ( 1,751 m) turn right and climb more steeply along the ridge between the Golfen and Pfann streams. After the fourth bend in the road, leave the lane (approx. 1,900 m) and follow the mountain path, which continues to climb steeply in a zigzag. The first pinnacles of the Sesto Dolomites soon appear in the south; the view of the southern flank of the Pfannhorn, which has been badly eroded (structures, afforestation), is rather thought-provoking. Higher up on the grassy slope is the Bonner Hütte (2,307 m) - a nice place to rest just an hour below the already visible summit. At the top of the Dobbiaco Pfannhorn you can inform yourself about all the alpine sights in the wide surroundings with the help of a panorama board that is a good hundred years old. The descent leads along the border ridge northwards to Pfanntörl (2,511 m). At the path spider, turn left down into the green hollow of the Bergalm with its small lakes. At the Bergalm hut ( 2,085 m) you come across a gravel track. It leads through the ditch of the Golfbach out of the valley to the junction mentioned at the beginning. Take the road back to Kandellen and return to the hotel in Sesto/Moos by car or bus.

Dobbiaco High Trail

Large, scenically very rewarding summit circuit, but requires a lot of stamina. Total walking time from Silvestertal about 10 hours; ascent via Silvesteralm to Blankenstein (2,483 m) and further along the ridge to the summit of Dobbiaco Pfannhorn (2,663 m), transition to Hochhorn (2,623 m) and descent to Frondeigen or Silvestertal. Marked throughout.

Beautiful view!

• Start: Hotel Alpenblick
• Train/bus: bus Sexten- Innichen-Toblach, citybus Toblach;
• Time of walk: rise 3 ½h; descent 2 ¼h; total 5 ¾h
• Description: Hotel Alpenblick, Toblach, Kandellen (about 5km from Toblach), Golfen Valley, Pfannhorn; Same way back;

Elevation profile

Compass map