Monte Specie (Strudelkopf): Short and Sweet Summit Hike in the Braies Dolomites

Monte Specie (Strudelkopf in German) is a panoramic mountain in Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park in South Tyrol, Italy.

Accessible all-year-round, Monte Specie is a popular place to visit in the Dolomites, because it’s extremely scenic and easy to get to. Atop Monte Specie, there are sensational views of Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Cadini di Misurina, the Cristallo Group, and even the Tofane Group.

You can hike to Monte Specie from Valle di Landro/Höhlensteintal, but the easiest ascent route starts at the Prato Piazza/Plätzwiese high alpine plateau, high above Valle di Braies/Pragser Tal Valley.

This guide outlines the Prato Piazza – Monte Specie hiking trail. It’s straightforward and suitable for families with small children. 

Keen hikers should also take a look at the Gaisl high trail starting atop Prato Piazza.

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Monte Specie Hiking Map

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How to Get to the Monte Specie Trailhead

This hike begins at the car park at Prato Piazza. We’ve outlined how to get here in our Prato Piazza guide.

Access to the plateau changes throughout the year. Check out the Prags – Plätzwiese website for up-to-date info.

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Prato Piazza to Monte Specie Trail Description

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Prato Piazza Car Park to Rifugio Prato Piazza (5 minutes)

From the Prato Piazza car park, follow the road (trail 37) to Rifugio Prato Piazza/Berggasthof Plätzwiese. Rifugio Prato Piazza is open all year, with the exception of 3 weeks in November and 3 weeks in May.

Rifugio Prato Piazza is situated on the plateau, between Picco di Vallandro/Dürrenstein (2839 m) and Monte Croda Rossa d’Ampezzo/Hohe Gaisl (3146 m). Many trails intersect at the Rifugio (37, 40, 18 and 3).

You can start the hike to Monte Specie on trail 37 (the flat macadam road that leads to Rifugio Vallandro) or on Trail 40/40a (the hiking path that crosses alpine pastures).

We opted for trail 40/40a.

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Rifugio Prato Piazza to Malga Prato Piazza (30 minutes)

Trail 40 starts at the white chapel, between Rifugio Prato Piazza and Hotel Hohe Gaisl.

This path gently ascends through larch and stone pine trees.

After a few minutes, you’ll pass through an alpine pasture gate. In summer, these meadows are grazing pastures for cattle. Please keep your distance and do not disturb the animals. To learn more about alpine pasture safety, read our guide to visiting the Alps in Summer. 

After crossing a large meadow, you’ll arrive at the trail 40/40a intersection. Turn right on trail 40a to Strudelopf/Monte Specie.

The views of the Cristallo Group are fantastic. 

This level path brings you to the Malga Prato Piazza/Almhütte Plätzwiese alpine pasture hut.

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Malga Prato Piazza to Trail 34/40a Intersection (15 minutes)

You can walk through the alpine pasture hut, or around. From the hut’s outdoor picnic table area, follow the downhill gravel path for a few meters. At the next intersection, turn left, following trail 40a to Monte Specie/Strudelkopf. 

After about 10 minutes, you’ll arrive at the trail 34/40a intersection, where there’s a picture-perfect view of a serpentine path leading to Rifugio Vallandro. 

At this intersection, turn left and follow trail 34 to Strudelkopf, signed 1 hour.

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Trail 34/40a Intersection to Monte Specie (50 min – 1 hour)

This path leads to Strudelkopfsattel (2200) and then up the western slopes of Strudelkopf to the summit (2307 m). 

The summit is marked with a wooden cross and an old WWI fort (ruin). 

Tre Cime di Lavaredo is the main focal point. But, you’ll also see prominent peaks of the Sexten range, including Dreischusterspitze, Elferkofel, Paternkofel, Zwölferkofel, Cima Cadin di San Lucano and the Cadini Group (behind Monte Piana). Further southeast, Piz Popena and Monte Cristallo look like a giant peace sign. 

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Monte Specie at Sunset

We highly recommend hiking to Monte Specie for sunrise, or sunset.

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Monte Specie – Rifugio Vallandro – Rifugio Prato Piazza (1:30 hours)

To return to Prato Piazza, descend to Strudelkopfsattel.

At the saddle, take the left trail (“Steig”) to Rifugio Vallandro/Dürrenstein-Hütte (45 min – 1 hr). This is a steeper hiking path, but far more interesting. 

This trail leads you directly to Rifugio Vallandro, where you can grab a bite to eat. 

To complete the circuit, follow trail 37, the road that bisects the plateau, all the way back to Rifugio Prato Piazza. It takes about 30-40 minutes to hike back from the Vallandro hut to the car park.

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Where to Stay near Monte Specie

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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). 

Budget | Garni Bergblick is a top-rated guesthouse in Valle di Braies, located a mere 5.6 km (10 min drive) from Lago di Braies, 6.2 km (9 min drive) from Ponticello, and 11.3 km (18 min drive) from Prato Piazza. Set in a romantic meadow surrounded by stone pine trees, Garni Bergblick is the perfect place to base yourself when exploring the northern Braies/Prags Dolomites. Breakfast included.

Budget-Midrange | Berggasthaus Agritur Moserhof is a traditional and cozy farm stay, perched high above Braies/Prags Valley. Breakfast and dinner are included in the rate. From Moserhof, it’s a 5-minute drive down to the valley and a  11-minute drive to Lago di Braies.

Midrange | Farmhouse Hanslerhof is a mountain guesthouse and farm overlooking Braies/Prags Valley and surrounded by meadows. Guests love the charming stone pine rooms, homemade breakfasts (included the room rate), and quiet location. From Hanslerhof, it’s an 8 minute drive to Lago di Braies.

Midrange | Hotel Erika is a 3-star hotel situated at the entrance of Valle di Braies. Guests have access to a lovely 400m² wellness area containing a Finnish Sauna (90 °C), steam bath (42-45° C), bio sauna (60 °C), infrared lounge, jacuzzi, and relaxation rooms. Rooms are clean and comfortably furnished in a Tyrolean-alpine style. A rich and varied breakfast buffet and a  5-course dinner are included in the room rate (half board). From Hotel Erika, it’s a 10-minute drive to Lago di Braies and a 20-minute drive to Prato Piazza. 

Midrange | Hotel Turmchalet (3 nights minimum) is a family-run 3-star-superior hotel in Valle di Briaes, praised for their superior service and friendliness. The hotel was recently renovated, resulting in tastefully-designed, alpine-modern bedrooms and a standout facade. Guests describe the cuisine as delicious, sensational and outstanding. Breakfast and dinner are included in the room rate (half board). And, there’s also a wellness area.

Look for an accommodation in Braies Valley.

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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.

Luxury | Hotel Christof is a new and stylish hotel in the village of Monguelfo/Welsberg in Val Pusteria. Stay here for the striking fresh-faced architecture, modern 600 m² wellness area, and excellent cuisine (you can book breakfast-only or half board). This modern hotel is a splash of cheerful color and laid-back fun on the South Tyrolean hospitality scene. From the hotel, it’s a 13-minute drive to Lago di Braies.

Luxury | Silentium Dolomites Chalet Since 1600 is tucked away on the edge of a forest, 2-km from the town center of Monguelfo/Welsberg. It’s a 15-minute drive from Silentium Chalet to Lago di Braies. Guests love the kind hospitality, picturesque location, and excellent breakfasts (included) and dinners (optional). 

Look for accommodation in Monguelfo.

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San Candido / Innichen

San Candido/Innichen is a charming town in Val Pusteria/Pustertal valley within the Alta Pusteria region. San Candido is an excellent place to stay when you want to split your time between the Sexten Dolomites and the Prags Dolomites. 

You can explore the northern Sexten Dolomites from Val Fiscalina/Fischleintal and Val Campo di Dentro/Innerfeldtal (e.g. Torre dei Scarperi hike).

To access the southern Sexten Dolomites, you can drive through Valle di Landro/Höhlensteintal to Lake Misurina, Lake Antorno, and onwards to Tre Cime di Lavaredo via the Rifugio Auronzo toll road. We recommend hiking the Sentiero Bonacossa North Trail (challenging day hike), the Three Peaks Circuit Trail (easy-moderate day hike), and the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint (short easy hike).

Budget | Residence Silvia is a budget-friendly aparthotel set in the middle of San Candido with a bar, private parking (small garage), and breakfast (optional/extra charge).

Apartments | Residence Kugler offers new, fully-equipped apartments in San Candido.

Luxury | Naturhotel Leitlhof is a 4-star-superior, climate-neutral wellness hotel in San Candido. Situated at a slight elevation and bordered by forest, idyllic Naturhotel Leitlhof overlooks the village and the gorgeous Sexten mountains including Haunold/Rocca dei Baranci and Dreischusterspitze/Cima di Tre Scarperi. Sunsets and sunrises are glorious here. The 2000 m² wellness facilities and outdoor pool are stellar. And, the cuisine is second to none. Read our Naturhotel Leitlhof hotel review.

Adults-Only Luxury | Post Hotel – Tradition & Lifestyle Adults Only is located in the center of San Candido, close to the pedestrian zone. This chic boutique hotel offers a spa, rooftop terrace, and on-site restaurant and bar. Half board is available. 

Luxury | Boutique & Gourmet Hotel Orso Grigio is a 4-star hotel in San Candido’s lively pedestrian center. This central hotel offers an excellent breakfast, gourmet dinners (on-site restaurant, half board available), and free reserved parking behind the property.

Luxury Apartments | ATTO Suites & Cuisine is a new luxury aparthotel in San Candido, furnished with the highest quality local materials. These gorgeous, minimalist apartments teeter stylistically between Alpine and Nordic. An excellent breakfast is included (with gluten-free options). Other included services: parking, shuttle service to the Leitlhof spa, and bicycle storage room.

Look for an accommodation in San Candido.

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