The Giro delle Cime is one of the most spectacular ski tours in the Dolomites, located in the 3 Zinnen Dolomites area. The 35 km route connects five mountains, offering a unique day on the slopes: with a single ski pass, you can explore Monte Elmo, Stiergarten, Croda Rossa, Monte Croce, and the Val Comelico ski area. Between runs, ski lifts or the Ski Shuttle SALTO allow you to move around comfortably.
The Route
The tour is divided into seven sections, combining sport, spectacular views, and moments of relaxation:
Initial ascent – From the Versciaco/Monte Elmo valley station or with the Helmjet from Sexten, you reach 2,200 meters, the highest point of the tour. From here, descend on the sunny slope towards the Stiergarten cable car.
Stiergarten and Tre Cime slope – The cable car takes you to the next stop, Stiergarten. From here, the Tre Cime slope descends to the Signaue cable car valley station, then climbs again towards Croda Rossa.
Croda Rossa and Monte Croce Pass – Upon arrival at Croda Rossa, it is sometimes possible to spot a small herd of reindeer. Descend to Monte Croce Pass along the Marc Girardelli slope, and after a short lift ascent, reach Bagni di Valgrande.
Ski Shuttle and Val Comelico – The SALTO ski bus takes you to the Val Comelico ski area, where you ascend again with the Col d’la Tenda chairlift. A stop at the namesake mountain hut is highly recommended.
Return to South Tyrol – From the Belluno province, the ski bus returns to Signaue. With the Tre Cime cable car, you reach the intermediate Stiergarten station.
Stiergarten and Monte Elmo – After a short ascent with the Stiergarten cable car, descend on a black slope towards the Helmjet, which takes you directly to the summit of Monte Elmo.
Final descent – The last challenge of the Giro delle Cime is the 4.75 km Helmissimo slope, which returns to the starting point in Versciaco. Alternatively, you can descend to the Helmjet valley station in Sexten and complete the tour there.
Best Time for the Tour
The Giro delle Cime is accessible throughout the winter season, generally from mid-December until the ski lifts close, depending on snow conditions. It is recommended to check lift schedules and slope conditions before starting the tour.
Where to Stay
To fully experience the Giro delle Cime, nearby towns such as Sexten, San Candido, or Dobbiaco offer a wide range of hotels and apartments. Many accommodations are located near the lifts, allowing easy access to the slopes.
