Hiking in the Dolomites: from Lake Prags to the Fanes pastures

Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park: pastures, lakes and peaks

• 
  Easy

  Plätzwiese – Strudelkopf

  Walking time

  1 h 30 min

  Distance

  4.1 km

  Ascent

  359 m

  Starting point: Plätzwiese car park (1,990 m), reached via Brückele in the Prags valley

  From the wide high pasture of the Plätzwiese, follow the road towards the Dürrenstein hut, then trail no. 34 over a saddle to the summit cross of the Strudelkopf (2,307 m), with views of the Three Peaks, Cristallo and the Tofane. Easy and family-friendly. The road up from Brückele is a toll road with restricted access during the day; alternatively, a bus runs up.

• 
  Moderate

  Pederü – Fanes hut – Lake Limo – Gran Fanes

  Walking time

  3 h

  Distance

  7.7 km

  Ascent

  685 m

  Starting point: Pederü car park (1,548 m), head of the valley beyond St. Vigil

  Up trail no. 7 to the Fanes and Lavarella huts, home to one of the highest craft breweries in Europe. On to Lake Limo (2,171 m) and down onto the wide Gran Fanes pasture. Family-friendly, with three alpine lakes along the way.

• 
  Moderate

  Pederü – Sennes – Seekofel hut

  Walking time

  3 h 10 min

  Distance

  8 km

  Ascent

  865 m

  Starting point: Pederü car park

  A steep climb to the Fodara Vedla huts, across the Sennes plateau and on trail no. 6 to the Seekofel hut (2,300 m) below the Seekofel. From here Dolomites High Route no. 1 descends to Lake Prags in about three hours.

• 
  Moderate

  Piz da Peres from the Furkel Pass

  Walking time

  2 h (4 h from St. Vigil)

  Distance

  5.4 km from St. Vigil

  Ascent

  1,272 m from St. Vigil

  Starting point: Furkel Pass (1,789 m), alternatively Hotel Monte Paraccia in St. Vigil

  St. Vigil’s home mountain (2,507 m) looks out over the Puster Valley to the Fanes peaks. From the Furkel Pass on trail no. 3 it takes about two hours, from St. Vigil on trails 19 and 12 about four.

• 
  Difficult

  From St. Vigil to Heiligkreuz

  Walking time

  4 h 40 min

  Distance

  11.9 km

  Ascent

  1,256 m

  Starting point: St. Vigil, Ciamaor district

  Via Rit on trail no. 13 to Spescia and on trail no. 15 across the Armentara meadows to the pilgrimage church of Heiligkreuz below the Heiligkreuzkofel. Descend to St. Leonhard in Abtei on foot or by chairlift.

• 
  Difficult

  From Olang to Lake Prags

  Walking time

  5 h

  Distance

  11.7 km

  Ascent

  1,184 m

  Starting point: Oberolang, Aue road

  On trail no. 20 up to the Brunstalm pasture and the Franz Josef Höhe (2,140 m), then down to Lake Prags. Back to Olang in comfort by bus, free with the South Tyrol Guestpass.

Dolomites classics: Lake Prags, Three Peaks and Peitlerkofel

These spots are very busy in high summer. Plan your visit on a weekday or set off early in the morning.

• 
  Easy

  Lake Prags circuit

  Walking time

  approx. 1 h 30 min

  Distance

  approx. 4 km

  Ascent

  minimal

  Starting point: Lake Prags car park (1,494 m)

  The most famous mountain lake in the Dolomites lies below the Seekofel. The path passes the boathouse and circles the emerald lake, with steps and boardwalks on the south shore. In high season daytime access is only possible with a pre-booked parking space or by bus.

• 
  Moderate

  Three Peaks circuit

  Walking time

  approx. 4 h

  Distance

  approx. 10 km

  Ascent

  approx. 400 m

  Starting point: Auronzo hut (2,320 m), toll road from Misurina

  Walk all the way round the icons of the Dolomites: past the Lavaredo hut to the Paternsattel saddle, on to the Three Peaks hut with its famous view of the north faces, and back past the Langalm pasture. Well marked, but very busy in summer.

• 
  Moderate

  Würzjoch – Peitlerscharte

  Walking time

  1 h 30 min

  Distance

  3.8 km

  Ascent

  415 m

  Starting point: Würzjoch pass (1,987 m)

  In the Puez-Odle Nature Park, trail no. 8A crosses a mountain meadow below the north face of the Peitlerkofel, then path no. 4 climbs to the Peitlerscharte (2,357 m) with views of the Odle group.