Monte Elmo — Helm in German — is the home mountain of Sesto and Versciaco, and it has the advantage of pleasing both the leisurely and the dedicated hiker. The Helmjet gondola, a modern ten-person cabin lift, climbs from the valley floor at roughly 1,315 metres to the 2,050-metre upper station in just six minutes. From there, broad pastures and ridge trails run almost level along the crest, with views reaching across the Sesto Dolomites, the Tre Cime, and on the other side, the Carnic Alps and the nearby Eastern Tyrol.
In summer the area becomes an open-air playground for walkers of every level: well-signposted routes, highland farms where you can stop for a plate of canederli, and connections leading all the way to the Carnic traverse. There is also the Heimatweg, a themed trail created for the 2009 Tyrolean commemorations. In winter, Monte Elmo changes its character and becomes one of the hearts of the Tre Cime Dolomiti ski area, part of the Dolomiti Superski circuit, with pistes for beginners and experienced skiers alike. The combination of a lift and open panoramas makes it an easy-access destination in every season.
Frequently asked questions
How do you reach Monte Elmo?
By the Helmjet gondola, which climbs from Sesto to roughly 2,050 metres in six minutes, or on foot via the trails that ascend from the valley floor for those who prefer to earn their altitude.
Are the Monte Elmo trails suitable for families?
Yes. The upper station is the starting point for panoramic ridge trails, largely level and well signposted, with highland farms along the way: ideal even for families with children.