Ready to trade comfort for altitude? Forcella Denti di Terrarossa swaps rolling alpine meadows for the serrated jaws of the Dolomites. At the top, Rifugio Alpe di Tires awaits with a well-deserved feast and a panorama that’ll enliven your soul.
Long ago, we learned the hard way: you don’t just stumble into the Dolomites. You plot, you obsess, you trace your finger over the map like a fortune teller reading fate. Especially if your ambitions stretch beyond the meadows, up where the air thins and the mountains get mean. Up there, the Dolomites don’t hand out cheap thrills. They charge interest in sweat, collect payment in curse words, and offer a reward so staggering it makes you question every easy choice you’ve ever made.
A hike to the Forcella Denti di Terrarossa (Rosszahnscharte) and Rifugio Alpe di Tires is one of those moments where you pay in effort and cash out in awe. The Forcella Denti di Terrarossa — a high-altitude knife’s edge — connects two legendary mountain groups in the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park: the hulking mass of Schlern (Sciliar) and the jagged fortress of the Rosengarten (Catinaccio). It’s not just a pass — it’s a threshold between two alpine worlds.
Due to its lofty position and central location within the Dolomites, the Forcella Denti di Terrarossa offers a front-row seat to one of the most dramatic landscapes in the world. On one side lies the gentle rural sprawl of Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm), Europe’s largest plateau. On the other, a savage empire of stone and sky, where peaks stab the horizon in an endless, unforgiving cathedral of rock.
And near the pass, Rifugio Alpe di Tires calls out — a red-roofed mirage in a desert of wind-scoured stone. It’s a hiker’s outpost that feels impossibly placed yet exactly where it’s needed. Some will see a hut. If you are like us, you’ll see salvation. A place where you can exchange burning legs for a cold beer, exhaustion for a plate piled high with speck, and a furrowed brow for a well-earned grin at the top of the world.
⇒ Trip Planning Made Easy: Grab our South Tyrol + Dolomites Travel Guide
CONTENTS OVERVIEW
About Forcella Denti di Terrarossa & Rifugio Alpe di Tires
Before we dive into how to hike to Forcella Denti di Terrarossa and Rifugio Alpe di Tires, let’s set the stage — so you know exactly where you’re heading and what awaits you on this epic trek.
Forcella Denti di Terrarossa sits at 8,199 feet (2,499 meters), carved into the eastern tail end of the Schlern massif, where the jagged spires of the Denti di Terrarossa (Rosszähne) teeter on the edge of the range, just beyond Schlern’s highest summit, Cima di Terrarossa (Roterdspitze).
The pass’s Italian name translates to “Saddle of the Teeth of Red Earth,” a nod to the fang-like limestone peaks that glow blood-red in the late-day sun. Its German name, Rosszahnscharte, skips the theatrics, translating simply to “Horse’s Teeth Ridge” — a fitting description for their gnarled, weather-worn profile.
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One of the Most Epic Viewpoints in the Dolomites
The sights you consume from Forcella Denti di Terrarossa rewires your sense of scale. The peaks of Denti di Terrarossa are no longer just a distant sawtooth on the skyline — they’re battered faces are now close enough to trace with your fingertips. But these aren’t the only giants watching over you.
To the south, Marmolada, the Queen of the Dolomites, reigns supreme over Val di Fassa, a glacial monarch slowly losing her glistening crown. Closer to you, the Rosengarten Group marches in a jagged procession. From here, you can admire notable peaks from Molignon di Mezzo to Catinaccio d’Antermoia (Kesselkogel), its loftiest summit, and Rosengartenspitze, where the phenomenon of Enrosadira — the Dolomites’ legendary alpenglow — sparked the ancient legend of King Laurin and his Rose Garden.
Turn yours eyes to the east, and the thunderous Sassolungo Group dominates the view. Just beyond, you’ll also spot Piz Boè, the highest peak in the Sella Group. Even the blade-like ridges of Seceda flash their fury as your gaze scans the horizon.
Look north, far beyond the Dolomites, and you’ll catch a glimpse of the Zillertal Alps, their snow-capped summits stretching toward Austria. Somewhere below them, hidden in the valleys, the formidable Taufers Castle still stands — a roaring remnant of medieval might. It is a fascinating fortress history buffs should not miss when visiting South Tyrol.
To the west, the star of the show takes center stage. Here, the Schlern massif ends in a dramatic, horned crescendo, its final peaks rising like the mast of an ancient ship sailing toward the edge of the world. We lucked out, timing our hike to Forcella Denti di Terrarossa just right. As the late afternoon sun dipped lower, its golden rays spilled over Schlern’s edge, setting Alpe di Siusi and Mt. Bullaccia (Puflatsch) ablaze in a dreamlike glow.
Beyond Schlern, the land unravels into Valle Isarco, with the Sarntal Alps bobbing on the horzion. Further west, if the air is crisp and clear, you’ll spot King Ortler, the highest peak in South Tyrol. And beyond it, the Ötztal Alps, where Ötzi the Iceman once roamed over 5,000 years ago.
📌 Good to Know: For another jaw-dropping vantage point in South Tyrol, hike to Ötzi Iceman Peak, where you can stand above the very spot he made his final stand and take in a panorama as wild as Forcella Denti di Terrarossa.
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A Red-roofed Sanctuary in the Sky
Near the Forcella Denti di Terrarossa, perched at 8,005 feet (2,440 meters) in the shadow of Grosser Rosszahn (Grande Dente di Terrarossa) — the “Big Tooth” of this sawblade ridge —stands Rifugio Alpe di Tires, or Tierser Alpl Schutzhaus, depending on which side of the mountain you ask. Opened in 1963, it’s a red speck of civilization in the stony wilderness.
It’s a beautiful rifugio, but nobody hikes to here for luxury. You come because a cold beer at 8,000 feet tastes better than any five-star dining experience.
The history of Rifugio Alpe di Tires is one of grit and perseverance. In the 1950s, South Tyrolean mountaineer Max Aichner faced a choice: leave his homeland or carve out something lasting in the mountains. He chose the latter.
In 1957, he purchased land beneath the Denti di Terrarossa and began the backbreaking work of hauling every single building material up the Tschamintal, a secluded valley tucked between the Rosengarten Group and the Schlern massif. He did this by hand. With a wooden wheelbarrow. Six years later, his vision came to life. (If you’re Gen Z, Google “wooden wheelbarrow.”)
Today, Judith and Stefan Perathoner, along with their sons Felix and Willi, own and operate the rifugio. It sleeps 52 hikers, packed into dorms and private rooms, lulled to sleep by the wind rushing between the peaks. The rifugio typically opens for the hiking season in end of May/early June and shutters in early October, standing empty through the winter — except for the occasional weary Krampus passing through on their way to a Krampuslauf.
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How to Hike to the Forcella Denti di Terrarrosa and Rifugio Alpe di Tires
Like many destinations in the Dolomites, there are a number of routes to reach the Forcella Denti di Terrarossa and Rifugio Alpe di Tires. For example, if you are visiting from the Rosengarten side, you can follow the footsteps of the Max Aichner by hiking up the Tschamintal.
Alternatively, you can start from the Alpe di Siusi plateau, which is the route we took. This challenging yet rewarding circuit leads you through breathtaking alpine meadows before tackling the ascent Rifugio Alpe di Tires and the Forcella Denti di Terrarossa. Along the way, you’ll pass several excellent mountain huts — perfect for a scenic rest and a hearty South Tyrolean meal or dessert.
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Hike Breakdown + Trail Route
- Starting Point: Compatsch (Compaccio), Alpe di Siusi. You can reach Compatsch via the Seiser Alm Aerial Cableway from the village of Seis (Siusi), or drive up before 9:00 AM or after 5:00 PM. If driving, you must park in the P2 lot, as private vehicles are not allowed on Alpe di Siusi during restricted hours unless you have a hotel reservation on the plateau.
- Trails to Follow: Trail No. 30 🡒 Hans & Paula Steger Trail 🡒 Trail No. 12A / 12 🡒 Trail No. 7 🡒 Trail No. 8 🡒 Trail No. 4 🡒 Trail No. 2 🡒 Trail No. 7
- Distance: Around 11 miles (17.7 km) round trip
- Elevation Gain: ~2,500 feet (762 m)
- Time: 6-7 hours, depending on how much you stop to gawk at the scenery or linger at a hut
- Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult, the ascent to Rifugio Alpe di Tires is demanding, and reaching Forcella Denti di Terrarossa requires sure-footedness and a head for heights.
- Huts: In addition to Rifugio Alpe di Tires, you can visit the Almrosenhütte, Baita Laranzer Schwaige, and Rifugio Molignon (Mahlknechthütte).
- Best Time to Hike: Early June to early October
📌 Good to Know: This is one of the most rewarding hikes in the Dolomites, but the route can be tricky. Whether you’re looking for a multi-day hut-to-hut adventure or a less demanding way to reach Rifugio Alpe di Tires, we’ll help you craft the perfect itinerary, avoid common pitfalls, and make the most of your time in the Dolomites. Find the trip planning service that’s right for you.
⇒ Trip Planning Made Easy: Grab our South Tyrol + Dolomites Travel Guide
A Via Ferrata Adventure in the Denti di Terrarossa
If you’re eager to take on a via ferrata adventure in the Dolomites, consider tackling the Maximiliansteig. It begins near Rifugio Alpe di Tires and follows the rugged spine connecting the Denti di Terrarossa to the Cima di Terrarossa.
The route is considered moderately difficult and spans approximately 3 miles (1.6 km), with an elevation gain of around 1,585 feet (483 meters). We have not embarked on this via ferrata, but it typically takes 2 to 3 hours to complete, depending on experience level and photo stops (from what we’ve seen online you’ll want plenty).
📌 Good to Know: If you are interested in more via ferrata routes in the Dolomites, consider purchasing the guidebook: Via Ferratas of the Italian Dolomites. It covers 75 unique routes, each with detailed descriptions, expert insights, and essential safety information. Every route includes clear maps, stunning photographs, and difficulty ratings, ensuring you have everything you need to plan your adventure.
How to Book an Overnight Stay at Rifugio Alpe di Tires
If you’re thinking of rolling up to Rifugio Alpe di Tires without a reservation, hoping for a last-minute bed, you might as well pitch a tent on the moon. Popular rifugios in the Dolomites book up fast, and this one is no exception. We recommend locking in your spot months in advance.
To reserve a bed, start by choosing your room type and deciding whether you want half-board (dinner and breakfast) — which, unless you enjoy gnawing on energy bars 24/7, is highly recommended. Booking isn’t a one-click affair; you’ll need to submit a request through their website — no fancy platforms here, just good old-fashioned alpine hospitality.
If they have availability, you’ll need to secure your reservation with a non-refundable deposit. However, if you cancel at least 10 days in advance, your deposit remains valid for another date within the season — so with a little luck, you’ll still get a chance to witness the night sky come alive star by star above the jagged silhouettes of the Dolomites.
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