Nature
Zwölferkofel
What it is
The Zwölferkofel is a peak in the Sexten Dolomites, straddling the border between South Tyrol and Belluno. Its rock face, part of the same limestone system as the nearby Tre Cime, is the main draw for hikers and photographers working through this corner of the Dolomites rather than a stand-alone sight in its own right.
Getting there
There is no direct road access to the peak itself; visitors reach it on foot via marked trails from the Sexten Dolomites trailheads, typically starting from parking areas or refuges reached by local road from Sesto/Sexten or Misurina. Depending on the starting point, the approach on foot can take anywhere from under an hour to half a day, so check the specific trailhead and route before setting out.
Time to allow
Allow at least half a day for a there-and-back walk to a good viewpoint beneath the peak, and a full day if combining it with neighbouring summits or a longer loop through the Sexten Dolomites Nature Park.
When to go
This is high-altitude terrain, so the walking season runs roughly from late spring to early autumn, with snow possible outside those months. Go early in the day for clearer light and cooler conditions; trails in this area, especially those shared with the Tre Cime circuit, get busy in July and August.
Combining with nearby sights
- Elferkofel (2.4km) – a neighbouring peak that can be paired with a Zwölferkofel walk in the same outing.
- Paternkofel (3.6km) – another Sexten Dolomites summit within reach on foot.
- Tre Cime di Lavaredo (4.1km) – the well-known three peaks, often combined as part of a longer day in the same range.
- Rienz (4.9km) – the river valley below, useful as a lower-altitude stop or return route.
Updated September 20, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
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