The storied mountain village of Sexten, nestled in South Tyrol's upper Puster Valley, has a number of new highlights to offer for the summer of 2026. Situated between the Sesto Dolomites and the Carnic Ridge, Sexten has been one of the most renowned destinations for hikers, mountaineers, and nature lovers in South Tyrol for decades. The region surrounding the Tre Cime Nature Park has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites since 2009, combining dramatic rock formations, sweeping alpine meadows, and an extensive trail network. In the summer of 2026, several new projects expand the area's offerings with new trails, new gathering spaces, and a special temporary exhibition.
The New Sexten Circular Trail
Since June 5, 2026, the redesigned Sexten Circular Trail has been open to the public, making it one of the major highlights of the summer in Sexten. Covering 15.6 kilometers and approximately 350 meters of elevation gain, the trail loops around the mountain village in about four and a half hours, combining hiking, village history and culinary discovery into an experience for the whole family. Those who prefer not to walk the entire route can join or leave the trail at several points, making it equally appealing for shorter segments and relaxed strolls with children.
The route winds through open larch meadows and shady forests, past historic farmsteads, scenic viewpoints, and historically significant sites. Various themed stations tell the story of mountain farming life, smuggling tales along the Italian-Austrian border, the flora and fauna of the Tre Cime Nature Park and the eventful history of alpinism. Newly designed rest areas invite visitors to pause and take it all in. Those who wish can round off the hike with a stop at the Sexten dairy or one of the alpine huts along the way.
Special Exhibition "Sepp 111": Mountain Guide and Visionary
Few figures have shaped Sexten as profoundly as Sepp Innerkofler. Born in the mountain village in 1865, this mountain guide, hut keeper, and hotelier is considered one of the most important pioneers of Dolomite alpinism and early mountain tourism. He gained particular renown for the first ascent of the north face of the Kleine Zinne (Cima Piccola) in 1890. Innerkofler recognized early on the tremendous tourism potential of the Sesto Dolomites and played a decisive role in bringing the mountain village to the attention of a far wider audience. He fell at the Paternkofel on July 4, 1915, during World War I.
Exactly 111 years later, beginning July 4, 2026, the Haus der Berge in Sexten will dedicate a special exhibition to him as one of the cultural highlights of summer 2026. "Sepp 111" deliberately avoids a chronological biography, opting instead for the power of contrasts. Historic photographs meet contemporary images and visions of the future; the once-relied-upon mule logistics of the mountains meet modern cable car technology; traditional Sunday customs meet today's leisure culture. Topics such as climate change, tourism, and social transformation become directly tangible. Visitors are invited to step into Innerkofler's perspective and think beyond it. How would he assess the challenges of our time? What might Sexten look like in another 111 years?
The New Helmhaus at 2,455 Meters
High above Sexten, right on the border between Italy and Austria, the new Helmhaus is set to open in the summer of 2026. The site's history stretches back to the 19th century: in 1891, a first shelter was built here. During World War I , the exposed location served as a military observation post. Most recently, only the ruins of the building remained.
The new design by Sexten architect Johannes Watschinger draws on this eventful past and translates it into the present. A modern timber structure, harmoniously integrated into the high-alpine landscape, complements the historic whitewashed masonry. The concept deliberately foregoes classic mountain hut functions such as overnight accommodation or food service. Instead, the result is an open space for reflection and encounter, with sweeping views across the Sesto Dolomites, the Carnic Ridge, and all the way to the Hohe Tauern. The site simultaneously marks a historic crossing point between South Tyrol and East Tyrol, as well as the start and end point of the Carnic High Trail.
Reinhold Messner Haus: Reflecting on the Mountains
Just around 400 vertical meters below the Helmhaus stands the Reinhold Messner Haus, which has been housed in the former upper station of the Helm cable car since the summer of 2025. The architecture firm Plasma Studio carefully transformed the old station into a cultural space that intentionally avoids presenting itself as a conventional museum. Instead, themes such as silence, risk, responsibility, and a respectful relationship with nature take center stage. Rotating exhibitions, lectures, and events make it a vibrant meeting place for discussions about the future of the mountains.
Reinhold Messner himself sees the house as an invitation to reconsider responsibility and the human relationship with the alpine world. Together with his wife Diane, he continues to develop the underlying concept. At its heart is a recurring central question: how can one preserve authenticity without reducing it to mere backdrop?
Events in the Sexten Summer of 2026
The Sexten mountain summer of 2026 also brings a number of high-caliber events. The season kicked off from June 14 to 16 with the ISTM Summer Edition 2026, an international trade fair for alpine summer tourismthat came to Sexten for the first time. The focus was on sustainable active tourism and new collaborative partnerships.
On July 10, the Alpen Film Festival at the Haus der Berge follows, featuring mountain films full of passion and adventure. Among the screenings is "Nanga Parbat, Echoes of Sisyphus," centered on extreme alpinist David Göttler. "50:50" portrays alpinists Ines Papert and Sarah Huenekin in a compelling exploration of partnership in mountain sports. The film "Fathom" by South Tyrolean brothers Jakob and Matthias Weger examines the risks of extreme freeriding.
The sporting highlight of the summer in Sexten is the Drei Zinnen Alpine Run on September 12 and 13. Around 1,000 runners from more than 20 nations take on the spectacular course through the Fischleintal into the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites. At 17.9 kilometers and 1,354 meters of elevation gain, the route leads straight into the monumental landscape surrounding the Tre Cime. Accompanying children's and youth races make the mountain running weekend a special experience for families as well.
Sexten as a Gateway to the Sesto Dolomites
Whether it is the new circular trail, the special exhibition, or the Helmhaus at 2,455 meters, Sexten presents itself in the summer of 2026 from a side that builds a compelling bridge between living tradition and contemporary reflection on the mountains. Visitors to the mountain village also gain access to some of the most spectacular hiking areas in South Tyrol. The Fischleintal, which stretches approximately 4.5 kilometers from the Moos district to the Talschlusshütte at its end, is considered one of the most beautiful mountain valleys in the Dolomites and at the same time offers the most direct access to the world-famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo. For those who want to learn more, all information about the summer program is available at www.sexten.it.
