Standing at 3146 meters, Croda Rossa d’Ampezzo (Hohe Gaisl in German) is the highest mountain in the Braies (Prags) Dolomites.
The northern slopes of the Hohe Gaisl are located within Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park in South Tyrol, while the southern slopes lie within the Ampezzo Dolomites Natural Park in Belluno.
A very interesting hiking trail runs along the northern base of the Hohe Gaisl massif, cutting across a series of cirques (Cadin in Italian, Kar in German). This Northern Gaisl High Trail links the high plateau of Prato Piazza – Plätzwiese with Malga Rossalm in Upper Kaserbachtal valley.
I loved the trail views of the Prags Dolomites, Sexten Dolomites, and the Austrian Alps. Tip: ambitious hikers may want to combine this hike with the Monte Specie – Strudelkopf summit.
- Parking: Ponticello/Brückele Car Park | Google Maps
- Starting Point: Prato Piazza Car Park
- Ending Point: Ponticello/Brückele Car Park
- Distance: 12 km point-to-point
- Time Needed: 4:10 hours
- Elevation Gain: 482 meters
- Elevation Loss: 958 meters
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Minimum Elevation: 1495 meters
- Maximum Elevation: 2341 meters
- Where to Stay on Prato Piazza: Hotel Hohe Gaisl
- Where to Stay in Valle di Braies: Garni Bergblick (budget), Berggasthaus Agritur Moserhof (midrange), or Farmhouse Hanslerhof (midrange)
- Where to Stay in Val Pusteria: Hotel Christof (luxury)
- Recommended Trail Map: Tabacco 031: Pragser Dolomiten/Dolomiti di Braies
Northern Gaisl High Trail Map
Northern Gaisl High Trail Difficulty
In terms of difficulty, this is a moderate hike. However, there is one secured section along the route, which requires comfort with narrow trails and light exposure.
If you’re planning on hiking this trail early in the season (early June), or late in the season (late September – October), keep in mind that there may be lingering snow or frost along the Gaisl High Trail, because the path traverses northern slopes. Northern slopes get less light, so snow lingers longer.
Getting to Prato Piazza – Plätzwiese
Because this is a point-to-point hike, we recommend parking at the pay-and-display car park at Ponticello (Brückele) in Val di Braies Vecchia (Altpragstal).
From here, take bus 443 to Prato Piazza to start this hike.
Before visiting Prato Piazza, consult the Prato Piazza website to find out what the current traffic regulations are in Braies Valley.
Alternatively, you can take a bus to Ponticello/Brückele. Use the Südtirolmobil journey planner to find the best connections.
Ponticello – Brückele Car Park
There is limited parking at the pay-and-display car park at Ponticello. If you’re visiting in high season, arrive early (before 9 am) to secure a parking spot.
Parking Fee | During our last trip, we paid 6 EUR for full-day parking ticket.
Payment | EUR coins, or credit cards. If you want to pay by card, locate the weather-protected “Kassa.”
Ponticello Car Park to Prato Piazza
Bus 443 connects Ponticello -Brückele with Prato Piazza – Plätzwiese.
The bus stop is located just beyond the cattle grid, south of the car park.
Bus Ticket | During our last trip, we paid 3 EUR for the one-way bus ticket.
Prato Piazza – Malga Rossalm – Ponticello Trail Description
Prato Piazza Bus Stop – Rifugio Prato Piazza – Malga Stolla (25 minutes)
Follow the wide gravel road to Rifugio Prato Piazza. The imposing mountain on your right is Croda Rossa d’Ampezzo – Hohe Gaisl. That’s where we’re headed.
Follow trail 3 in the direction of Malga Stolla – Stolla Alm. Trail 3 path branches off the road on the right and cuts across the alpine meadow.
The path leads through patches of forest and swiss-pine-peppered meadows in a southwesterly direction.
Looking south, you’ll see the Cristallo massif.
The way descends to Malga Stolla – Stolla Alm (1950 m). They raise 94 cattle on their mountain pasture, which covers a grazing area of over 500 hectares.
Malga Stolla is usually open from mid June until mid September. They serve warm food from 11 am until 3 pm.
We arrived after 3 pm and had a delicious Brettljause, which is a cheese and speck board. Payment is cash only.
Malga Stolla to Malga Rossalm (2:20 hours)
Follow trail 3 in the direction of Malga Rossalm – Rossalm.
The way rises and falls amid larch and swiss pine forest for 25 minutes and then climbs up along a timber railing to a bench. From here, you can see the full sweep of Prato Piazza flanked by Picco di Vallandro.
The ascent continues through thinning forest, before sliding down to the northeastern base of Croda Rossa d’Ampezzo – Hohe Gaisl.
From the Gumpalkar cirque, head west and hike uphill around the massif.
As you gain elevation, you’ll be able to see the conspicuous Tre Cime di Lavaredo – Drei Zinnen and the Sesto – Sexten Dolomites to the southeast and the Austrian Alps to the north.
The trail levels and traverses rocky, scree slopes and meadows.
Straight ahead you’ll see Croda del Becco – Seekofel, Giovo Grande – Grosser Jaufen, and Sasso Rosso di Braies – Grosser Rosskopf.
A timber fence signals the beginning of a protected passage. Grasp the fixed chains as you hug the northern wall of Gaisele (2445 m). The trail is very narrow at times and semi-exposed.
There are more chains as you wrap around the brittle Schrofenwand wall of the Gaislleiten.
Still heading west, the path drops into a grassy cirque, bordered by a cascade of rocks.
Follow the posts around the mammoth rock slope, which was the result of a series of rockfalls in 2016.
Soon, the path slithers down to a gravel road and the tiny Malga Rossalm (2159 m) in Upper Kaserbachtal valley.
This alpine pasture hut is open from June to October.
Malga Rossalm to Ponticello – Brückele (1:30 hours)
Turn right on trail 4, a gravel road, in the direction of Ponticello – Brückele.
The road descends in serpentines to the Kaserlewiesen meadows.
Cross a scree field and walk all the way down to Ponticello – Brückele.
Where to Stay near the Gaisl High Trail
Valle di Braies / Pragser Tal Valley
Valle di Braies valley is the best base for exploring everything that the northern Prags/Braies Dolomites has to offer. The top attractions are Prato Piazza and Lago di Braies. But with more time, you can venture off-the-beaten-path to the Ütia Fojadora mountain pasture, Grünwaldtal valley and Hochalpensee lake, Hochalpenkopf peak, Croda del Becco/Seekofel summit, Herrstein peak, Grosser Rosskopf peak, and the Gaisl high trail (Prato Piazza to Malga Rossalm).
The best accommodations are Garni Bergblick (budget-friendly guesthouse), Berggasthaus Agritur Moserhof (farm stay), Farmhouse Hanslerhof (farm stay), and Hotel Erika (3-star hotel).
Monguelfo / Welsberg
Monguelfo (Welsberg in German) is a village in Val Pusteria, which is only a 3-minute drive to the entrance of Braies Valley. We’ve stayed in Gailerhof B&B, which enjoys a quiet elevated perch above the valley. The rooms are comfortable and the breakfast is very good. Another option is Hotel Christof, which has a modern 600 m² wellness area, and excellent cuisine (you can book breakfast-only or half board).
San Candido / Innichen
San Candido is a charming town in Val Pusteria between Toblach and Sexten in the Alta Pusteria. It’s an excellent base for exploring both the Sexten Dolomites and the Prags Dolomites. From San Candido, you can quickly access Val Fiscalina – Fischleintal and Val Campo di Dentro – Innerfeldtal (e.g. Torre dei Scarperi hike) two gateways to Tre Cime Nature Park.
We’ve stayed in Wachtler Dolomite Apartments (see our Wachtler Dolomite Apartments review) in the town center and the eco-friendly 4-star-superior Naturhotel Leitlhof, situated on the hillside overlooking San Candido. I especially loved the half board dining, second to none, and wellness facilities of Naturhotel Leitlhof. Here’s my Naturhotel Leitlhof review.
More places to stay: Residence Silvia (apartments), Residence Kugler (apartments), ATTO Suites & Cuisine (beautifully-designed apartments), and Boutique & Gourmet Hotel Orso Grigio (4-star town center hotel).
Learn More: Where to Stay in San Candido
Rules for Visiting Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park
While you’re visiting Prato Piazza, please adhere to the following rules:
- No motor vehicles are allowed within the park.
- Wild camping is prohibited in the park.
- Always stay on marked trails and paths. This helps prevent damage to the meadows and alpine pastures.
- Do not pick flowers.
- Respect the habitat of animals. Do not make any unnecessary noise.
- Do not light fires.
- Do not litter. Please take your garbage with you and dispose of it responsibly.
- Do not touch, or approach grazing animals.
More Dolomites Hiking and Travel Guides
Hiking:
Plan your trip to the Dolomites:
- Things to Do in the Dolomites
- Places to Visit in the Dolomites
- How to Get to the Dolomites
- How to Visit the Dolomites Without a Car
- Best Time to Visit the Dolomites
Road Trip Itineraries:
- 5-Day Dolomites Road Trip
- 7-Day Dolomites Road Trip
- 10-14 Day Dolomites Road Trip
- Munich to Dolomites Road Trip
Where to Stay in the Dolomites:
- Where to Stay in the Dolomites in Summer
- Where to Stay in Cortina d’Ampezzo
- Where to Stay in Val Gardena
- Where to Stay in Alta Badia
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