Drei Zinnen in the Dolomites

Drei Zinnen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Three Peaks in South Tyrol are the symbol of the Dolomites. Three consecutive rocks, the so-called Great Zinne, Little Zinne and Western Zinne, create the most amazing image of mountains that anyone can dream of. Hard to believe that a mountain can spread such fame.
In 2009, the Dolomites were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. That means they belong to the most beautiful mountains in the world. The Monte Pelmo (3,196 m), the Marmolada (3,342 m - the highest peak of the Dolomites), the Schlern (2,564 m) and the Three Peaks (2,999 m - Great Zinne) are just a few of these massive formations.

How to reach the Three Peaks

There are different ways to reach the Three Peaks. It depends on how long you like to hike and of course how good your own condition is.
The easiest way is by car or bus to the town of Toblach into the Höhlensteintal. Shortly before the Lago di Misurina, turn left onto a mountain road that leads up to the Rifugio Auronzo. Be careful, here you have to pay a €22 toll for cars. It is much cheaper to take the bus, as you only pay half the price.
Arriving at the Auronzo Hut, you are already at the Three Peaks. Not on the front side, but on the back side.

You can hardly see them there, so I recommend a 30-minute walk around the Dolomite mountain to the Dreizinnenhütte.

This hike runs directly along the cliffs of the Dolomites, which anyone can manage. There are hardly any exposed sections where danger could arise. Of course, you should still be careful and not forget your mountain shoes at home, but no further equipment is required.

The second possibility to reach the Three Peaks in the Dolomites is from Sexten. Here, you start from the parking lot in the Fischleintal. In just a 15-minute walk, you reach the Talschlusshütte, where the trail goes uphill. In the beautiful hike, passing by the spectacular cliffs of the Einserkofel , you reach the Dreizinnenhütte (Rifugio Antonio Locatelli) after about 2.5 hours. Here, too, there are no dangerous sections, only a pair of good shoes is required

Is there a way to the summit of the Three Peaks?

There is unfortunately no hiking trail to the summits of the Three Peaks, whether to the small, western or great Zinne. Only with good climbing skills and sufficient alpine experience can one conquer one of these peaks of the Dolomites. The Little Zinne may look small in height with its 2,700 meters compared to the Great Zinne (2,999 m), but it is considered the most difficult for climbers. There is a more difficult via ferrata on the Central of the Three Peaks, which requires a higher level of experience.

My conclusion:

Impressive, incredible or rather mighty are the Three Peaks in the Dolomites. Every visitor to South Tyrol should have experienced this natural heritage once. Those who love hiking are in the right place here in the Three Peaks Nature Park. Even as a South Tyrolean, you treat yourself to this adventure in the Dolomites every year.