Monte Elmo - Erla trail

Itinerary that traces parts of the Stoneman.

Start in Dobbiaco, follow the very signposted Drava bike path and arrive in the center of San Candido where before the station you stay on Via Pizach leaving the bike path, then Via Waidach and then on Via dei Tintori where the bike path towards Sesto that runs along the river begins. After about 500 m from the beginning of the bike path you will turn left uphill on a dirt road, after about 150 m another turn, this time to the right on single track that connects to the dirt road that you will follow uphill to the right. At the next fork you will keep left uphill, staying on the main dirt road, at the next turn you will keep right. At an elevation of 1450 you leave the main dirt road at a hairpin bend to the left following a dirt road that begins to climb steeply up the mountainside, at the next fork we take a left, you will come to a junction between 4 roads where you must continue straight ahead. The dirt road climbs into the woods next to the ski slope, the slopes are challenging in some places, particularly near the Baita del Cacciatore (Hunter's Hut), where we gather the last of our energy before tackling the last 200 m of elevation gain to reach the Monte Elmo restaurant. At the arrival of the gondola, follow for the Gallo Cedrone refuge, first on a dirt track, then on a wide single track halfway up the mountainside. Here the view opens up and you begin to enjoy the view of the Sexten Dolomites. You pass under Mount Elmo, which can be reached by taking the path to the left at elevation 2350. This brings you to the Stoneman's memorial stone located below the Sillaner Hutte, where a photo is a must.

Having passed the challenging ramps to reach the hut, you keep to the right, arriving at the pass at elevation 2460, just before Mount Arnese. Here you leave the Stoneman trail to descend right to the Tre Cime cable car station, which you reach by following a fantastic all-natural trail, taking care to keep right at the fork at elevation 2330. When you reach the station, take the dirt road to the right that descends along the Tre Cime trail until you reach the entrance to the Erla Trail, marked by the sign. Follow the signs to the Tre Cime cable car valley station, from where you take the Sesto bike path back to San Candido, where you follow the trail made on the way out but in the opposite direction until you return to Toblach.