Nestled within the coronary heart of the Higher Puster Valley, the place the highway leads into the Sexten Valley, San Candido (Innichen in German) is an enthralling alpine city completely positioned for adventures within the Sesto-Sexten Dolomites, the Carnic Alps, and the close by Braies-Prags Dolomites.
San Candido is remarkably straightforward to achieve by prepare or bus, making it some of the transit-friendly locations within the Dolomites. Exploring the area and not using a automobile is straightforward, particularly with the free Südtirol Cell Visitor Card for in a single day guests, which grants limitless entry to public transport all through South Tyrol.
With the Dolomites’ rising recognition, particularly round well-known spots like Lake Braies and Tre Cime di Lavaredo, native authorities have launched rising visitors restrictions to guard the realm. You’ll be able to keep away from many of those limitations by visiting in autumn. If you happen to’re visiting in summer season, nevertheless, it pays to be strategic about the place you go. On this information, I hope to steer you in the appropriate path.
Learn our companion information, The place to Keep in San Candido, for an summary of the perfect lodging choices based mostly in your journey fashion and the season.
High Locations to Go to round San Candido: Val Fiscalina, Prato Piazza Plateau, and Lago di Braies
Wet Day Concepts: Guide a day spa at Caravan Park Sexten, or go to Bruneck
San Candido Self-Catering Lodging: Wachtler Dolomite Flats, Residence Kugler, Residence Silvia, ATTO Suites, and Flats Hermann’s (automobile wanted)
San Candido Lodges: Resort Orso Grigio, or Publish Resort, Naturhotel Leitlhof, and Resort Schopfenhof (automobile wanted)
Dolomites Street Journeys: 5-Day Dolomites Street Journey, 7-Day Dolomites Street Journey, or 10-14 Day Dolomites Street Journey
Automotive-Free Journey: Tips on how to Go to the Dolomites With no Automotive
Discover San Candido’s City Heart
The guts of San Candido is compact and splendidly walkable, with an enthralling pedestrian zone stretching alongside By way of Peter Paul Rainer, lined with outlets, cafés, eating places, and motels.
Probably the most spectacular construction within the village is undoubtedly the Romaneseque Collegiate Church of San Candido, or Stiftskirche Innichen. Within the vestibule, mounted above the door, you’ll see a curious bone. In keeping with native legends, it’s the rib of Haunold the Big.
When the townspeople constructed the Collegiate Church of San Candido, Haunold helped carry large stones in trade for every day feasts of veal, beans, and wine. As soon as the church was completed, nevertheless, his countless calls for led the townsfolk to entice and kill him. To honor his contribution, the locals displayed one among his ribs within the church. Although the rib actually belongs to a prehistoric animal, the legend lives on.
My favourite outlets are Wachtler Specialitá for espresso and cake, Flora Gourmand for pasta, Tito Speck – Il Maso dello Speck for cheese and wine, and Doham der Stauder for dwelling décor.
If you happen to’re visiting throughout the shoulder season, when the mountain huts are closed, and must pack a lunch to your hike, you possibly can decide up freshly made sandwiches on the Eurospar bakery within the city heart, positioned on the bottom flooring of Kaufhaus Schäfer (Google Maps).
The jagged mountain that dominates the skyline of San Candido is Haunold (Rocca dei Baranci), named after the legendary city large. In summer season, households with youngsters ascend the Haunold chairlift in an effort to journey the Funbob. The 1.7 km lengthy summer season toboggan run curves all the way down to the valley station at a mean gradient of 18.5%. In winter, Haunold is a small family-friendly ski space.
If you wish to keep within the coronary heart of the motion, take into account these self-catering lodging: Wachtler Dolomite Flats, ATTO Suites, Residence Kugler, Residence Silvia. For a lodge expertise with on-site eating and spa amenities, we suggest Resort Orso Grigio (4-star lodge with parking), and Publish Resort (4-star adults-only lodge with offside paid parking).
The place to Eat round San Candido
At lunchtime, take into account Wachtler Botanic Bistro for his or her every day menu, or Restaurant Wiesthaler, which boasts a sunny terrace in addition to cozy interiors.
The restaurant at ATTO Suites, a sister property of Naturhotel Leitlhof, serves refined Alpine-Mediterranean delicacies made with substances from their very own farms and native producers.
In Sexten, we love eating at Luis Alm for an upscale but nonetheless reasonably priced date night time, or Kinigerhof for hearty South Tyrolean fare. Kinigerhof sources its meat immediately from their very own farm, making it the proper place to take pleasure in Tagliata. Reservations are obligatory for each institutions.
These looking for a extra informal expertise ought to cease by the bistro on the 3 Zinnen Dairy in Dobbiaco (Toblach), a neighborhood favourite and an exquisite insider tip from Wachtler Flats.
If you happen to’re like us and benefit from the comfort of getting dinner proper at your lodge, we suggest reserving half board at Naturhotel Leitlhof and Resort Schopfenhof.
High Winter Actions in San Candido
Christmas Market
From the tip of November till early January, the city heart of San Candido hosts an annual Christmas Market. See precise opening dates.
Timber huts promote native meals like Gerstensuppe (Barley Soup), Rindsgulasch (Beef Goulash), Würstel mit Brot (Sausage with Bread), and Pressknödel mit Kraut (Pressed Dumplings with Sauerkraut), Strauben mit Preiselbeermarmelade (Tyrolean Funnel Cake with Jam, and Apfelküchlein (Apple Fritters).
We timed our December go to to San Candido with the Krampus Run in Toblach. There’s additionally an annual Krampuslauf in close by Sexten and Gsiesertal.
Be taught Extra: Dolomites in December
3 Zinnen Ski Resort
San Candido is positioned within the 3 Zinnen Dolomites Ski Resort, one of many Dolomiti Superski ski areas. From the city heart, it’s only a quick stroll or bus journey to the Haunold (Baranci) ski space, supreme for households and novices, with mild slopes and night time snowboarding.
Intermediate and superior skiers can simply entry the broader 3 Zinnen ski area, which connects Monte Elmo (Helm), Croda Rossa (Rotwand), and Stiergarten by elevate and slope, providing 115 kilometers of completely groomed slopes framed by breathtaking Dolomite peaks.
In case your main purpose is snowboarding, I like to recommend staying in Vierschach, a hamlet within the San Candido municipality on the base of the Vierschach-Helm ski elevate. The perfect ski-to-door lodging are Resort Andermax (4-star lodge), JOAS natur.lodge.b&b (mattress & breakfast), and Publish Alpina: Household Mountain Chalets (4-star family-friendly lodge).
Alternatively, keep in Sexten, which boasts arguably the perfect location for snowboarding within the 3 Zinnen Dolomites Ski Resort. Take into account Alpenwellness Resort St. Veit (4-star lodge), Berghotel Sexten (4-star lodge), Resort Alpenblick (4-star lodge), and Resort Royal (3-star lodge).
If you wish to expertise one other ski resort within the Dolomites, you possibly can journey the Ski Pustertal Categorical prepare from Vierschach or San Candido to the Kronplatz (Plan de Corones) Ski Space.
Be taught extra: Snowboarding within the Dolomites
6 Greatest Hikes round San Candido
San Candido makes a wonderful base for mountain climbing within the Sesto-Sexten Dolomites, Braies-Prags Dolomites, and Carnic Alps. Beneath are our favourite hikes round San Candido. Seek the advice of our path guides for detailed descriptions and key route data.
1. Vallon Popera – Rifugio Berti Hike
Nestled within the Comelico sub-group of the Japanese Sexten Dolomites, Vallon Popera is a spectacular basin ringed by jagged, chiseled peaks.
The hike begins at Kreuzbergpass, steadily ascending by means of forested slopes to Forcella Pian della Biscia. From there, an exhilarating balcony path traverses the southeastern flank of Arzalpenkopf (Croda Sora i Colesei). A difficult, partially secured climb up a gully results in the ruins of Rifugio Sala, adopted by a brief ascent to the panoramic Belvedere Creston Popera.
The path then loops across the basin to the photo-worthy Laghetto Popera, earlier than gently descending to Rifugio Berti. From Rifugio Berti, the trail drops down in serpentines to Rifugio Lunelli in Val Grande. The return to Kreuzbergpass is usually by means of forest, offering a peaceable conclusion to this spectacular route.
2. Torre dei Scarperi Hike – Tre Cime di Lavaredo Route
Climbing to Tre Cime di Lavaredo, the Three Peaks of the Sexten Dolomites, is a prime precedence for many first-time guests to the Dolomites. The huge of majority of these guests will drive the Auronzo toll highway as much as Rifugio Auronzo, the place they start the roughly 4-hour Tre Cime circuit path, usually adopted by a fast detour to the Cadini di Misurina Viewpoint. The toll highway now requires pre-booking prematurely for the whole season, usually from June by means of October.
For vacationers based mostly in San Candido, nevertheless, I strongly suggest skipping the Auronzo toll highway. As a substitute, go for the extra scenic and rewarding northern ascent routes by way of Val Fiscalina or Val Campo di Dentro, which provide a much more fulfilling and peaceable mountain expertise.
The Torre dei Scarperi circuit path is an exhilarating route within the Northern Sexten Dolomites, which leads by means of Val Campo di Dentro (Innerfeldtal), a aspect valley of Sexten, all the way in which as much as the Three Peaks.
The hike begins on the Antoniusstein automobile park (Google Maps) close to Rifugio Tre Scarperi (Drei Schuster Hütte), accessible by automobile early within the morning or by shuttle bus from the Val Campo di Dentro valley entrance automobile park (Google Maps).
From Rifugio Tre Scarperi (Drei Schuster Hütte), the path traces the valley after which climbs across the western slopes of Monte Mattina (Morgenkopf) and Torre dei Scarperi (Schwabenalpenkopf) to achieve the Schwaben Alm. Sections of secured scrambling add a contact of journey to the ascent.
After circling Torre dei Scarperi, a brief detour results in Rifugio Locatelli (Dreizinnenhütte), the well-known hut overlooking the Three Peak. Up till this level, this path traces the beginning of the Alta By way of 4 lengthy distance path.
The descent alongside Monte Mattina’s japanese flank again to Val Campo di Dentro is spectacular however prolonged.
Be taught Extra: Torre dei Scarperi Hike
3. Val Fiscalina Hike
The dazzling Val Fiscalina-Fischleintal branches off the Sesto – Sexten Valley at Moso – Moos and stretches to the bottom of Cima Una – Einserkofel.
Val Fiscalina is a perfect vacation spot for all guests. Households can take pleasure in a straightforward hike alongside the valley flooring to Rifugio Fondovalle – Talschlusshütte, ranging from Sexten, Moso, or the Parkplatz Fischleinbodenhütte (accessible by bus in peak season).
Past Rifugio Fondovalle, the valley divides: the western department leads into Val Sasso Vecchio (Altensteintal), whereas the japanese department continues into Val Fiscalina Alta (Bacherntal).
On our first go to, we hiked the beginner-friendly 3-Day Sexten Dolomites Hut-to-Hut Route. The path climbs up Val Sasso Vecchio to Rifugio Locatelli (Dreizinnenhütte), circles Tre Cime di Lavaredo, after which ascends to the very best refuge within the Sexten Dolomites, Rifugio Pian di Cengia (Büllelejochhütte, 2528 m), earlier than descending Val Fiscalina Alta again into the valley.
Bold hikers can sort out the Val Fiscalina – Rifugio Locatelli – Rifugio Pian di Cengia route in a single day, leaving out the circuit across the Three Peaks.
Learn our full Val Fiscalina Information to plan your go to.
4. Prati di Croda Rossa
The Prati di Croda Rossa (Rotwandwiesen) meadows lie on the foot of Croda Rossa di Sesto (Sextener Rotwand) within the Sexten Dolomites.
This scenic, family-friendly vacation spot is well reached by cableway from Moos, subsequent to the Dangerous Moos Dolomites Spa Resort. Alternatively, you possibly can skip the elevate and start the hike larger up the Val Fiscalina valley close to Resort Dolomitenhof.
From the Croda Rossa – Rotwand meadows, I like to recommend mountain climbing alongside the bottom of the Sexten mountains to Passo Monte Croce – Kreuzbergpass. This rewarding point-to-point route gives outstanding selection and dramatic vistas because it winds by means of forests, meadows, and rocky alpine slopes in a comparatively quick distance.
Be happy to reverse the route, beginning with a bus journey to Passo Monte Croce (Kreuzbergpass) and ending with the gondola descent. This path has a definite benefit: you’ll finish your hike in consolation, savoring a well-deserved meal at Rifugio Rudi.
I’ve hiked this path twice–as soon as in mid-June and once more in late October–and each instances had been poorly timed. As a result of the route runs completely alongside north-facing slopes, snow tends to linger right here. In early summer season, sections of the path should still be snow-covered, whereas in autumn it may be frosty and icy as a result of lack of direct daylight. Take my recommendation and plan this hike between July and September for the perfect situations.
Insider Tip | If you happen to’re visiting San Candido in winter, the Rotwandwiesen Chalets are a dreamy place to remain, ski-in, ski-out comfort proper within the coronary heart of the three Zinnen Ski Resort. The chalets are additionally open in summer season, however they’re a bit too tucked away to be a sensible base for exploring the broader Alta Pusteria area.
5. Hochalpenkopf Peak Hike
Given the crowds, I can’t wholeheartedly suggest Lago di Braies. One exception, nevertheless, is the Hochalpenkopf circuit path. It’s an extended and demanding hike, requiring stamina, nevertheless it’s properly definitely worth the effort. Not solely do you get to expertise the lake, however you additionally uncover a hidden world throughout the Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park.
Personal car visitors to Lago di Braies is restricted throughout peak season. Go to prags.bz for up-to-date data.
Be taught extra: Tips on how to Hike Hochalpenkopf
6. Gaisl Excessive Path
At 2,000 meters, the excessive plateau of Prato Piazza (Plätzwiese) is a well-liked place to begin for a lot of hikes within the Braies-Prags Dolomites. One in all my favourite routes is the Gaisl Excessive Path, which skirts the northern foot of the Croda Rossa (Hohe Gaisl) massif, operating from Malga Stolla to Malga Rossalm within the Higher Kaserbachtal valley.
To start this point-to-point hike, take the bus from Ponticello to Prato Piazza. For present data on seasonal entry and restrictions, go to prags.bz/en/plaetzwiese.
For a shorter journey, take into account the Strudelkopf summit hike.
Be taught Extra: Gaisl Excessive Path
Discover the Excellent Place to Keep
If you happen to’re touring and not using a automobile, essentially the most handy choice is to remain in San Candido’s city heart, inside strolling distance of the prepare station.
For self-catering lodging, take into account: Wachtler Dolomite Flats (3-star residences, learn our Wachtler Dolomite Flats Assessment), Residence Kugler (3-star residences), and Residence Silvia (3-star residences). For a lodge expertise with on-site eating and spa amenities, we suggest Resort Orso Grigio (4-star lodge) and Publish Resort (4-star adults-only lodge).
If you happen to’re touring with a automobile, you may also look to the hillsides north of Val Pusteria. These lodging provide sweeping views of the Sexten Dolomites, although some require comfy driving on mountain roads.
The 4-star Resort Schopfenhof and its sister property, Flats Hermann’s, are superbly located above San Candido. They share wellness facilities corresponding to a panoramic spa and infinity pool, linked internally by an underground gallery. Residence friends can request to dine on the lodge restaurant. Additionally check out Bio- Ranerhof (1-2 bed room residences), and Glinzhof (4-star lodge).
For the final word spa lodge expertise with a bountiful half board providing, keep in Naturhotel Leitlhof (eco-friendly wellness lodge), positioned simply above the village. Learn our Naturhotel Leitlhof Assessment.
Extra Dolomites Journey Guides
Journey Guides:
The place to Keep within the Dolomites:
Winter Journey:
