Demuth Passage

The Carnic Alps are one of the most geologically exciting areas in the world: around 1,300 m thick coral reefs alternate here between Austria and Italy with unique deep-sea limestones. These limestone massifs, which are more than 400 million years old, are many times older than most parts of the Alps. The Periadriatic Seam - the geological boundary between the African and European plates - also runs here. But for us today, it's less about geology and history, even if we can feel it all around us. For us, today is simply about trails and the view far into the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites.

Up to the trail entrance to the Demuthpassage MTB single trail, we comfortably cover most of the uphill section on the Helmbahn - and save our energy for the trail centrepiece of the 3 Zinnen Dolomites region. After a few metres in altitude, we finally reach the Hahnspielhütte: here, a short breather with a cappuccino is an absolute must, because the view over the Sesto sundial - the largest stone sundial in the world and probably the most striking skyline that nature has created - is simply indescribably beautiful. Full of vigour, the ascent to the Sillianer Hütte begins - and it is here that the wheat is separated from the chaff. The last section up to the hut is particularly tough.

We take a short break at the hut and I remember how we once celebrated his farewell up here with a colleague: back then we did the same tour as today - only uphill without the cable car - and spent the night at the Sillaner Hütte. A great mountain experience! Today, however, we set off for the trail entrance after coffee and took a quick breather.

Now it's time to focus on the impressive Demuthpassage MTB single trail:

• technical singletrail
• stretches along the mountain flank , sometimes exposed
• requires riding skills and a high level of concentration

We are completely in the here and now and experience exhilarating flow away from a flow trail. The Demuth Passage stretches for kilometres to the Kniebergsattel on the border with the Veneto region. From here, an old military road leads to the Nemes Almhütte, from where we have to master a short ascent to the Klammbachalmhütte. After a short rest, we have another trail ahead of us: the no less flowing single trail Erla am Stiergarten is one of several new trails for enduro fans here in Sesto. The newcomer stretches down into the valley with breathtaking panoramic views of the Dolomites.

• invites experienced bikers to let off steam
• was built by hand and left in its natural state on abandoned trails
• provides plenty of adrenaline
• some root passages provide an extra challenge in wet conditions
• the biking fun ends at the valley station of the Drei Zinnen cable car

After a short break at the Zin Fux hut or in the Hennstoll, the trail leads us back to the starting point at the valley station of the Helmbahn cable car. The courageous investments made by the 3 Zinnen Dolomites region in the bike infrastructure in recent years are bearing fruit here: In addition to the new Erla single trail and the new Standschützen single trail, the first MTB training park in the 3 Zinnen Dolomites region can be found directly at the valley station of the Drei Zinnen cable car - with fairly straightforward yet varied training trails ranging from easy to moderately difficult.