After two challenging stages, the third and so-called “wellness stage” of this journey in the area of the Dolomiti di Sesto awaits us. It measures 35 km with a climb of only 800 m and connects Padola in Comelico Superiore with Sesto, San Candido and Dobbiacco in South Tyrol
Image gallery: Stoneman Trail, third stage: Croda Rossa meadows
In Padola (1,200 m) we take the via Valgrande. This asphalted street runs along meadows and later in the forests of the valley towards Monte Croce pass. At about 1,350 m s.l.m. we reach the crossroad of the Rifugio Lunelli mountain hut where we turn right (towards passo Tre Croci) and continue on a gravel path up to the highest bend of the Strada Statale Carnica, then we cycle along this road for almost one kilometre, until we arrive at the pass (1,640 m).
Immediately after Monte Croce pass, we turn left and take the forest road "Skiweg Unesco". We climb the magnificent coniferous forests up to the meadows under the Croda Rossa di Sesto (1,930 m), the mountain station of some ski lifts. Furthermore, there are also some mountain huts and refreshment areas, such as the Prati di Croda Rossa (Rotwandwiesenhütte) mountain hut and the Rudi mountain hut.
From here on, the road goes downhill. The Stoneman-Trail runs along the path n. 15 that ends at a mountain road at 1,570 m. Once at the crossroad, we recommend you to continue on the gravel road, or otherwise, you can take path n. 15 and descend a black MTB trail in the forest, a technical downhill ride suitable only for experts. Both the itineraries meet up at Bad Moos, at the entrance of the Val Fiscalina valley (Fischleintal). From here we take the cycling itinerary of Sesto (Sextner Fahrradroute) which runs along in part on gravel roads and in part on asphalted side roads from Sesto to San Candido, a village from where you can reach Dobbiacco, the final destination of this itinerary and today's stage by cycling along the cycle path Pusterbike.
Author: AT
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- Starting point:
- Padola
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- Time required:
- 03:45 h
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- Track length:
- 35,7 km
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- Altitude:
- from 1.173 m to 1.926 m
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- Altitude difference:
- +804 m | -794 m
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- Route:
- Padola - Valgrande - Passo Monte Croce di Comelico - Prati di Croda Rossa (Rotwand Wiesen) - Bad Moos - Sesto - San Candido - Dobbiaco
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- Signposts:
- Stoneman Trail (Logo)
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- Destination:
- Dobbiaco
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- Resting points:
- Passo Monte Croce, Rudi hut, Rotwandwiesen mountain hut
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- Track surface:
- 57% gravel road, 2% single trail, 41% asphalt
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- Recommended time of year:
- Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
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- Download GPX track:
- Stoneman Trail, third stage: Croda Rossa meadows
If you want to do this tour, we suggest you to check the weather and trail conditions in advance and on site before setting out.
