Monte di Mezzo - Monte di Fuori

Monte di Mezzo (Mitterberg) is best known for its fortress, once an important defensive structure in this border region. It dates back to the 19th century, when an alliance between Austria-Hungary and Italy called for the strengthening of the national borders. Today, you can visit this stronghold with its artillery positions and granite armour on a guided tour. The Monte di Mezzo Fortress was built for strategic reasons at a point that provided a good overview of the surrounding area.

From here, you can enjoy a wide panoramic view of the Croda Rossa di Sesto, the Three Peaks of Lavaredo and the Val Fiscalina. The second name, Monte di Fuori (Ausserberg), refers to both a hamlet of farms at an altitude of 1,300 metres and the mountain itself. The impressive Monte di Fuori Farm Loop - the Höferunde am Ausserberg - reveals not only the unique farm landscape around Sesto but also old millstones, unusual rock formations and prehistoric cup-marked stones.

You can also explore Monte di Mezzo and the neighbouring Monte di Dentro (Innerberg) near Sesto on tours that lead from farm to farm and through the meadows and forests of the Three Peaks Nature Park. When snow covers the Alpine pastures and high-altitude hamlets, which often happens as early as late autumn, many paths transform into quiet winter hiking trails.

One excursion, for example, takes you from Monte di Fuori across the Wetzwiesen meadows to the rustic Jägerhütte lodge, which is open in both summer and winter. From there, you can return to San Vito, visit the forest chapel, or head up to the top station of the Monte Elmo Cable Car. The skiing area there is one of the five ski mountains of the large 3 Zinnen Dolomites Ski Resort.