Excursion and trekking suggestions in Val di Fassa

The Hotel Dolomites Inn is located on the Via Alpina which crosses the Val di Fassa overlooked by the Sella, the Marmolada and the Catinaccio massifs

In the Dolomites of the Val di Fassa
Explore the mountains and get intense emotions: the wonder of the Enrosadira - the Dolomites turning red at dawn and dusk, lovely mountain lakes, climbing with an alpine guide, refuges and mountain dairies where to taste local food and products.
The Val di Fassa offers a wide variety of excursions of any level, from low-level walks to high-level hikes.
In summer our keywords are sport and to be in contact with nature: from easy low-level walks to more demanding trekking, Nordic walking trails, fascinating sites, that are easy reachable by lift or taxi bus, where to enjoy breath-taking views.

Walks and excursions:

Via Alpina - a trail for Europe
The Hotel Dolomites Inn is located on the Via Alpina and owns the label "Via Alpina", received by the Province.
Five are the main international trails that, stretching over more than 5.000 km divided into 340 stages, connect eight Alpine European countries, from Trieste in Italy to the Principality of Monaco, all across the Alps. A fascinating project based on the exploitation of already existing trails, of easy access to anybody and not only for experienced climbers, aimed at discovering the alpine landscapes and at grasping the heart of the environment, history and culture of the common alpine identity.

One of these paths (the yellow route) also passes through the Dolomites and the Val di Fassa territory, exploiting already existing paths which do not present any particular difficulty. The Val di Fassa includes four stages which cross areas of outstanding natural beauty overlooked by the imposing and majestic Sella, Marmolada and Catinaccio massifs.
Numerous are the mountain refuges that ensure adequate assistance along the stages.

The stages of Via Alpina in the Val di Fassa:
• stage B22: Pordoi Pass - Contrin Refuge
• stage B23: Contrin Refuge - Fontanazzo
• stage B24: Fontanazzo - Antermoia Refuge
• stage B25: Antermoia Refuge - Bolzano Refuge

Official Via Alpina website: www.via-alpina.org

Leaflet Via Alpina, the brochure contains:
• The presentation of the Via Alpina "A path for Europe";
• The extract of the summer topographic map of the Val di Fassa;
• The description of the 4 stages in Val di Fassa;
• The main points of interest and some curiosity;
• The list of the participating refuges.

Download the brochure Via Alpina [726 KB] with the extract of the topographic map and the description of the track directly on your computer.

Low level walk: Canazei - Pènt de la Roa - Molin - Alba - Penìa
In Canazei go up Strèda de Pareda until you come out of the village near the bridge Pènt de la Roa. Before the bridge turn left onto the asphalt road (called Strèda dò Veisc) running close along the Avisio river. The track, which is mostly even, alternates shady little woods and open areas. The walk is well equipped with tables and benches. Approximately half-way you reach a playground for children where you will also find a little shore on the stream. From here get onto the national road at the beginning of Penìa, near the bridge over the Avisio. Go back to Canazei crossing this bridge to the right and go down the left bank of the torrent. Pass by the ice-stadium and after a short slope get onto the main road and back to the starting point along the pavement.
Length: 2 hrs - Km: 5

Easy high level walk: Strada di Rusci (Russian road) - Val de Sèn Nicolò (San Nicolò valley)
Leave the car at the pay-park at Saùch in the San Nicolò valley, and then cut through the trees to reach the track known as "Strada di Rusci" or Russian road. The name comes from the fact that it was, in fact, Russian prisoners of war, who built the road during WW1. The going is varied, but never steep, and the road is very well shaded all along the way. When you reach the waysign no. 641 for Lauscel Lake (Lagusel) turn left and thencross the Ruf de Sèn Nicolò by way of a small bridge. Go into the woods to the left. You will descend slightly, cross an area of alluvial stones and then the bed of the 'l Giaf, a stream which can get dangerously big following summer thunder storms. After a flat stretch you will join the dirt road which climbs up this last part of the valley. Turn left and go down to the Baita Ciampiè (1.826 m), where you can get refreshments, and then follow the asphalt road all the way back to the car-park.
Length: 2 hrs

Excursion in the side valleys: Col de Sèn Pelegrin (San Pellegrino pass) - Col Margherita - L Sforcelin (Forcella Vallazza) - Gereburt (Iuribrutto) - Col de Sèn Pelegrin (San Pellegrino pass)
The pass can be reached by car. Park near the little church. Walk to the Col Margherita cable-car station which lies to the east. Take the cable-car to Col de Margarita (2.550 m). Now follow the crest of the mountain walking west. The valley is below you to your right and to the left is a rocky terrain known as the Lastei di Pradazzo which descends gently to the Valles pass. The stone itself, of igneous origin, is called porphyry, and is used as paving material. The ridge walk offers marvellous views in clear weather but it can be tricky to find your way with bad weather.When you are level with the Rio di Pradazzo the path crosses "l Sforcelin" - the Vallazza pass (2.521 m). Go straight for a short stretch then climb up to the top of Ponta del Gereburt (Iuribrutto peak) (2 hrs). This area was part of the Italian front in WW1, and remains of the conflict are still visible, particularly trenches. From this vantage point you will see the San Pellegrino pass below you, and the Cima Bocchemountain (2.745 m),an Austro-hungarian stronghold,to the west. Go down to the Gereburt pass, and then continue down on path no. 628, which returns to the San Pellegrino valley. You walk by the dark face of the Gereburt mountain, then back uphill to the Pas de l'ors (Bear pass) (2.267 m). From here you carry on down through rhododendrons and a few trees, with the crest you just walked along up on your right. On the left you will be able to see a splendid morain lake. You will reach the pass once more by way of a large pasture
Length: 3 hrs

High level hike: Ciampedìe - Roda de Vael refuge - A. Fronza refuge - Pas de le Coronele (Coronelle pass) - Gardecia
From the Ciampedìe (1.998 m - by cable car from Vigo) follow the directions in the last hike as far as the Baita Marino Pederiva and Roda de Vael refuge (2.283 m; 1 hour 45). From here take the panoramic path no. 549 (called the Hirzel-Weg), which bends round the Majarè mountain. You will pass the bronze eagle dedicated to Theodor Christomannos, a doctor from Merano who played a key role in bringing tourism to the Dolomites. Next you will come to path no. 539 coming up from the Paolina refuge(20 mins distance). Keep going at the same altitude at the feet of the Roda de Vael mountain, the views are magnificent and the path is easy. You will come to paths no. 551 (to the Vaiolon pass) and no. 552 (another route up from the Paolina refuge). After a short uphill section you get to the A. Fronza refugeat 2.339 m (1 hour 30; 3 hrs 15). Now start the climb behind the refuge. At the fork choose the right-hand path. The path to the left goes to the Santner pass, to the right leads up to the Pas de le Coronele at 2.630 m (1 hour; 4 hrs 15). On the other side you walk down the scree of the Davoi basin. There is a crossways where you take path no. 541 to the left. This cuts across the base of the massive east face of the Ciadenac (Catinaccio) mountain and then meets up with the dirt road going up to the Vajolet and Preuss refuges. Turn right and go downhill to Gardecia (1 hour 15; 5 hrs 30) and from here the wide, easy path back to Ciampedìe
Length: 6 hrs 15 min