At sunrise to the Oberbachernspitze in the Dolomites.

Oberbachernspitze, Dolomites. The alarm clock in my mobile rings next to me at head height. Monotonous, getting louder and not really animating. I have to pull myself together so as not to press the snooze button, which would otherwise take a bit of a resentment from my neighbor. In addition, one of the most beautiful and oldest natural spectacles in the world is waiting for me out there. And I do not want to miss it. So I peel myself out of my hut sleeping bag into my underpants, hiking socks, trousers, T-shirt, sweater, jacket, hiking boots and cap, grab my backpack, my camera and my hiking poles and try to keep up with my morning hygiene.

It's just past four in the morning when I step outside the door. At this time it is still stockduster around me and also in the summer is very cool. I turn on my headlamp, initially the only source of light on the way in the mountainous terrain, and run. The cone of light hits the ground a few meters in front of me, but if I raise my head, it disappears in the dark nothingness around me. Body and mind are not quite in tune at that time, so I dribble a bit drowsily the next 150 meters up the steep hill.

I try to recognize something around me. At night, as is well known, all cats are gray, so it seems a backdrop that could have stood anywhere in the Alps. But as I arrived the evening before already in the Büllelejochhütte , the highest and smallest refuge in the Sexten Dolomites, I know about the view that surrounds me. A few meters up, at sunrise to the Oberbachernspitze in the Dolomites at 2677 meters.

It does not take long until the first outlines of the surrounding 2000 to 3000's can be seen. First I discover the Einserkofel , then the Zwölferkofel and in the background soon the Drei Zinnen . I no longer need the headlamp, but the second sweater and my cap. I sit down carefully at the summit cross and enjoy the incredibly beautiful view. I try to absorb this moment, hold it and store it in my mind in a small memory box. Down in the valley, thick fog still hangs between the mountain ranges, but up here, nothing separates me from the sky above me and the summit at my feet. Above the clouds, freedom is boundless.

The rising sun dips the first mountain peaks into an orange light and slowly a new day awakens with all its possibilities. A spectacle that has been performed for millions of years with the same cast and yet has not lost a moment of magic. Together with the dear Lea from Escape Town I sit there for over 1.5 hours and watch the clouds move and the sun rises. As the stomach growls, we descend again towards Büllelejochhütte and enjoy a delicious breakfast in the mountains.

As you can see, a hike up to the Oberbachernspitze is worth the effort at any time of the day. If you want to experience sunrise or sunset up there, I recommend you spend the night in the Büllelejochhütte or in the Zsigmondyhütte . Otherwise, the hike is designed as a full-day tour. Starting point of the tour is the parking Fischleinboden-Hütte, on foot it goes through the Fischleintal to Talschlusshütte. From there, the climb up to the famous Drei Zinnen . After you have enjoyed the view enough, follow the signs to Büllelejochhütte and the Oberbachernspitze. The descent back to the valley via Zsigmondyhütte and Bacherntal then completes the circular hike.

Technically not difficult, absolutely recommended landscape, it is rather the length and required condition, which are to be considered here. Within a good 20km you will cover 2,600 meters - 1,300 meters up and then down again.

LOCATION

The Oberbachernspitze is located in South Tyrol in the Sexten Dolomites, framed by the Einserkofel, the Zwölferkofel and the Drei Zinnen.

GETTING THERE

Via Innsbruck and the Brenner Pass you will reach South Tyrol. After a short while on the A22, leave the motorway and head towards Bruneck. The turnoff to the Fischleintal valley is in Moos. Tolls will be charged on the route. The costs for the 10-day vignette in Austria (8.80 €), the cost of the Brenner motorway (8.50 € one way) and the Italian toll of around 4 €. The whole thing is also toll-free, if you take the old Brennerstraße and avoid the highway in Austria.

OVERNIGHT STAY

As already described, I recommend you an overnight stay in the bed camp of Büllelejochhütte or Zsigmondyhütte .

TRAILS

Information about the Oberbachernspitze and hikes in the Eastern Dolomites are generally available in the following hiking guides:

Tip: During your stay in the South Tyrolean Dolomites, you should not miss a visit to the Braies Lake , about which I have already written my own article. A blue gem in the Alps, often visited and still worth every trip. Water in the deepest blue against a fantastic mountain backdrop and a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.

I came across the idea for the post by the dear Elke vom Meerblog, who had asked in an article for the most beautiful Slow-Travel-moments from 2017. And more tips for a trip to the Dolomites Three Peaks I have on JUST travelous for you.

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Have you ever taken a hike just in time for the sunrise? Going out in the dark and arriving at the top, when the first rays wake up the day? Please tell me in the comments of your tour!