Cross-Country Skiing in the 3 Zinnen Dolomites Region
The 3 Zinnen Dolomites region is the No. 1 cross-country skiing destination in Italy. Directly in San Candido (Innichen), you can access the 3 Zinnen Dolomites trail network, featuring over 200 kilometers of groomed and perfectly interconnected trails.
Whether easy or demanding – the trails in the 3 Zinnen Dolomites region offer all levels of difficulty, from blue and red to black. This means that beginners practicing classic cross-country skiing, as well as true experts and fans of skate skiing, will feel right at home on the tracks amidst the stunning winter nature of the Alta Pusteria.
Hit the trails – Start your winter adventure directly in San Candido
Explore the entire Alta Pusteria valley directly from San Candido (Innichen) on cross-country skis – all the way to Lake Braies near Prags or into the Fischleintal Valley near Sesto. In and around the Nordic Arena, the cross-country stadium in our neighboring village of Toblach, you can experience the World Cup atmosphere and ski the official FIS trails. Every year, Toblach hosts the Cross-Country Skiing World Cup or the Tour de Ski.
In addition to the trail network of the 3 Zinnen Dolomites region, you can also use the trails in and around the Olympic city of Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Explore the 3 Zinnen and Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Parks on cross-country skis
To use the trails, the 3 Zinnen Dolomites region charges a trail toll (Loipenmaut). With a day, week, or season pass, you can enjoy unlimited access to the 200 kilometers of perfectly groomed trails. You can purchase the trail toll at a discount at numerous points of sale in the villages of the Alta Pusteria or pay directly on the trail.
Discover the incomparable landscape of the Dolomites, the 3 Zinnen Nature Park, and the Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park while cross-country skiing!
The trails in the 3 Zinnen region and beyond – Dolomiti Nordicski
200 of the most beautiful kilometers of trails, perhaps even the finest for cross-country skiing in all of Italy, await you during your winter holiday in South Tyrol in San Candido. However, 3 Zinnen Dolomites is only one part of a huge cross-country ski carousel in the Dolomites – the Dolomiti Nordicski.
In addition to 3 Zinnen Dolomites, the Dolomiti Nordicski network, with its 1,300 kilometers of trails, includes famous regions such as Alta Badia, the Antholz Valley, Comelico, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Gsieser Valley-Welsberg-Taisten, East Tyrol, as well as Seiser Alm-Gröden and the Tauferer Ahrntal Valley, where the world of cross-country skiing and biathlon regularly comes together.
On cross-country skis to the Fischleintal Valley, Lake Braies, and Prato Piazza
3 Zinnen Dolomites makes up the largest part of the Dolomiti Nordicski network. One trail that you absolutely must experience during your winter holiday is the scenic "Genussloipe" to Sesto and into the Fischleintal Valley. Lake Braies (Pragser Wildsee) delights "slow" winter sports enthusiasts with its natural beauty, and the high plateau of Prato Piazza (Plätzwiese) is not far away. On the region's platforms such as www.drei-zinnen.info, you can find 49 cross-country tours in the immediate vicinity of San Candido and the 3 Zinnen region. Here, we would like to present just a few highlights.
Well-conditioned cross-country skiers can start directly on the trail from San Candido, or you can find your personal perfect entry point into the 200-kilometer trail network. Public transport will take you to the most beautiful spots in the Alta Pusteria.
Highlights of the cross-country ski trails in the 3 Zinnen Dolomites region
| Cross-country trail | Category | Length | Altitude difference | Level | Starting point |
| Fischleintal Valley | One-way path | 6 Kilometers | 150 Meters | Easy | Sesto - Moos district |
| Prato Piazza (Plätzwiese) | Circular circuit | 6 Kilometers | 80 Meters | Easy | Plätzwiese Mountain Inn |
| Toblach Cortina | One-way path | 30 Kilometers | 300 Meters | Easy | Toblach Nordic Arena |
Fischleintal Valley Trail
The 6 km long Fischleintal trail is not only considered the most snow-reliable cross-country trail in the Alta Pusteria; it is certainly one of the most beautiful trails in the 3 Zinnen and Dolomites region. The trail is located in the Sesto Dolomites and within the 3 Zinnen Nature Park, revealing dreamlike views of the Sesto Sundial with its mountain massifs Cima Dieci, Cima Undici, Cima Dodici, and Cima Una, as well as the Punta dei Tre Scarperi (Dreischusterspitze).
The trail is prepared for both classic and skating styles and, thanks to its high altitude, remains skiable well into spring. This "pleasure trail", as it is rightfully called, runs along the Fischleinboden and has only a slight incline.
At the end of the 6-kilometer trail, at the foot of the Cima Una (Einserkofel), you reach the head of the valley and the Talschlusshütte mountain hut at 1,548 meters. Here, you can indulge in culinary delights before heading back toward the starting point on your skis with a gentle downhill glide.
Plätzwiese (Prato Piazza) Trail
Located at 2,000 meters above sea level and nestled within the Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park is the Plätzwiese cross-country trail, which stands out for its guaranteed snow and, above all, its scenic beauty. The 6-kilometer circular circuit on the high plateau above Prags starts at the Plätzwiese Mountain Inn. If you wish to ski more than 6 kilometers, you can easily do so on this trail – just loop around as many times as you like!
With panoramic views of the majestic surrounding mountains such as the Hohe Gaisl (Croda Rossa), Tofane, and Monte Cristallo, the loop never gets boring. In the distance, you can even spot the beloved 3 Zinnen (Tre Cime). The Plätzwiese trail is groomed and prepared for both classic and skating styles.
The trail, with an altitude difference of 80 meters, is extremely varied and suitable for both beginners and professionals, whom you may encounter here from time to time.
Toblach – Cortina Trail
With your trail toll pass, you are also permitted to use the cross-country trails in Cortina d’Ampezzo – and the Olympic city of Cortina is indeed not far from San Candido or Toblach. From the Toblach Nordic Arena, one of the most scenic trails leads from Toblach through the Landro Valley (Höhlensteintal) to Cortina. Until 1962, a train ran here, connecting the health resort and the Olympic city. Today, you can enjoy cross-country skiing along the old railway tracks. Starting at the arena, the 30-kilometer trail first leads through the forest and then passes Lake Toblach.
In addition to the Dolomite scenery, you will soon be greeted by a view of the 3 Zinnen. The route continues to Lake Dürrensee (Lago di Landro) with the Cristallo massif. At Schluderbach (Carbonin), you reach the highest point and have completed a bit more than half of the distance. From here, it is a pleasant downhill cruise. The classic-groomed and skating-prepared trail is easy to ski and has an altitude difference of 300 meters.
A bus will conveniently take you back to your starting point, with several stops available along the way.
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