Hiking in the Fischleintal Valley/Val Fiscalina

Not to be confused with the refuge named after Emilio Comici in Val Gardena, the Zsigmondy-Comici Hütte refuge is located in the Sexten Dolomites at an altitude of 2,224 m, overlooking a rocky expanse at the foot of the Zwölferkofel. Starting from the Talschlusshütte refuge in the Fischleintal Valley, you can ascend along sunny and partly stony paths for an elevation gain of about 700 metres. The Zsigmondyhütte is the first or third stage of the circular hike of the three refuges, which can be travelled clockwise or anticlockwise. Named after an Austrian and an Italian mountaineer respectively, the current building dates back to the 1920s, but stands on the ruins of the first lodge, dating from the late 19th century, which was destroyed during the First World War. A great spot to stop on the way back to the Fischleintal Valley or en route to other destinations in the Dolomites, it offers a restaurant with indoor and outdoor tables with panoramic views and around 80 beds: part lodge, part bivouac.

As its name suggests, the hut is located at the bottom of the Fischleintal Valley, at an altitude of 1,548 m. Its position, below the Einserkofel and Zwölferkofel peaks, makes it the perfect starting point for hikes of various difficulty levels, including the circular hike of the three refuges – Zsigmondyhütte, Pian di Cengia and Dreizinnenhütte – which can be hiked either clockwise or anticlockwise from this point. The Talschlusshütte refuge in the Fischleintal Valley was built as a simple kiosk to provide refreshment for mountaineers in the 1950s, and then developed into the lodge it is today. Its history is also linked to Jannik Sinner's family: the famous tennis player's parents worked here for about 20 years. Its location also makes it a pleasant destination for people who prefer quiet walks, both in summer and winter, following the path through the Fischleintal Valley. Perfect for families with children and pushchairs, its playground and restaurant cater to the needs of even the youngest hikers.

The midpoint of the circular hike of the three refuges, the Büllelejochhütte refuge is the highest lodge in the Dolomites, at 2,528 metres above sea level, and is located in the centre of the Sexten Sundial. Its characteristic wood and stone structure, set among the Dolomite rocks, makes it a particularly attractive stop. Built in the 1960s in an area considered strategic during World War I, where foxholes and caverns are still visible, it is also the smallest lodge in the Dolomites. A short via ferrata begins about 10 minutes from the hut: the perfect place to practise while admiring the views. At the lodge, hikers will find a restaurant and 15 beds; reservations are required.

The Dreizinnenhütte refuge  is located at an altitude of 2,450 m above sea level overlooking the Drei Zinnen: so close you can practically reach out and touch them. Built in the 1930s not far from the site of a small, older lodge, later bombed during the First World War, it welcomes hikers with a restaurant, a bar and a chapel. Even when you are sitting at the tables inside, you will not be able to take your eyes off the Drei Zinnen, which mark the border between South Tyrol and Veneto. A short walk from the lodge lie the Piani lakes, which reflect the bucolic landscape. In 2008, the hut took on a second name, and is now named after both Antonio Locatelli, an aviator and mountaineer, and Sepp Innerkofler, a South Tyrolean mountaineer. About 1,000 metres above the Talschlusshütte refuge in the Fischleintal Valley, it marks a stop on the circular hike of the three refuges, but is also connected to other high-altitude routes for more experienced hikers.