Here is a selection of the most interesting walks:
Lakes of Colbricon
An easy route suitable for beginners, too. These two lakes are true gems nestled in an Alpine scenery of great beauty: the landscape ranges from Pale di San Martino to the Marmolada, from Rosengarten to Latemar... The route takes off shortly past Passo Rolle (Malga Rolle), a flat path without dangers, with road signs and usually well-trodden, about 2 hours round-trip.
The Plains of Cavallazza: on the trails of chamois
A scenic route from Passo Rolle in San Martino through the Plains of Cavallazza, a part of Paneveggio-Pale di San Martino Nature Park and a place where you can observe herds of pasturing chamois. With departure before Passo Rolle (Malga Fosse, also accessible with the ski bus), the trail is usually trodden, but with no road signs. An intermediate to beginner’s hike for everyone, about 4 hours long.
Altopiano delle Pale: in a desert of white dunes
Altopiano delle Pale is one of the most unusual places in the Dolomites: a plateau of 50 sq. km of bare rock, in winter covered by metres and metres of snow, suspended more than 2500 m above sea level and surrounded by towering peaks that hide it from view. A 360° view all the way up to the peaks of Austria. You can reach it from San Martino di Castrozza with the Colverde-Rosetta ski lifts. From where the cable car lets you off, you can climb to Cima Rosetta, in about 15 minutes downhill, you will reach the Rifugio Pedrotti alla Rosetta (refreshment open on Saturdays and Sundays), or can tackle longer tours through the plateau up to the glacier of Fradusta or to Cima delle Scarpe. An Alpine environment that requires knowledge and appropriate clothing!
Val Venegia
One of the most picturesque routes for a snowshoe excursion is Val Venegia. A valley way up high, in summer a place of Alpine pastures at the foot of the Pale di San Martino. Located on the outskirts of the Forest of Paneveggio, one of the most beautiful spruce forests of the Alps, also known as the forest of Violins, because for centuries the wood has been used to manufacture musical instruments. Departure from Passo Rolle (parking Segantini, 1950 m), climb up the trodden road to Baita Segantini (2200 m), and then descent into Val Venegia to Malga Venegiota (closed in winter) and Malga Venegia (open every day except on Mondays). From here we climb back to Malga Juribello (closed in winter) and then return to Passo Rolle. The route is usually trodden, but not well marked in some places. It will take you about 6 hours to travel the entire circular path.
Cima delle Scarpe
A full day snowshoe hike in true Alpine spirit, which takes place on the plateau of Pale di San Martino. With gorgeous all-round mountain views in a desert of white dunes and total silence. Departure from the end stop of the Rosetta cable car, heading East, and then we climb up to Passo Pradidali Basso, conquering Cima Scarpe. We make our way back circling the trail to the cable car. This excursion takes place between 2500 and 2800 m a.s.l., so remember to wear appropriate clothing, sunscreen and sunglasses.
The Fradusta Glacier
A full day snowshoe hike, which takes place on the plateau of Pale di San Martino.
The plateau of Pale di San Martino in winter takes on a unique conformation, with huge meringues of snow and wind-carved entrails. The way to get to the glacier is a gentle up and down that makes you feel as though you were on the moon. Departure from the end-stop of the Rosetta cable car, heading towards the glacier of Fradusta, walking in a circle to return to the cable car. An Alpine-nature hike that takes place
between 2500 and 2700 m a.s.l., so don’t forget to wear proper clothing, sunscreen and sunglasses.
Cima Castellazzo
A one-day long snowshoe hike near Passo Rolle.
Departure from Passo Rolle, climb up to Capanna Cervino to then climb to the sunny and panoramic summit of Castellazzo.
A magnificent peak that dominates all the valleys, formerly a strategic point during the great war, with views of the North chain of the Pale and Dolomitic chains, and of the Lagorai. The Cristo Pensante (or “Meditative Christ”) was placed here not too long ago.
Lakes of Colbricon
An easy route suitable for beginners, too. These two lakes are true gems nestled in an Alpine scenery of great beauty: the landscape ranges from Pale di San Martino to the Marmolada, from Rosengarten to Latemar... The route takes off shortly past Passo Rolle (Malga Rolle), a flat path without dangers, with road signs and usually well-trodden, about 2 hours round-trip.
The Plains of Cavallazza: on the trails of chamois
A scenic route from Passo Rolle in San Martino through the Plains of Cavallazza, a part of Paneveggio-Pale di San Martino Nature Park and a place where you can observe herds of pasturing chamois. With departure before Passo Rolle (Malga Fosse, also accessible with the ski bus), the trail is usually trodden, but with no road signs. An intermediate to beginner’s hike for everyone, about 4 hours long.
Altopiano delle Pale: in a desert of white dunes
Altopiano delle Pale is one of the most unusual places in the Dolomites: a plateau of 50 sq. km of bare rock, in winter covered by metres and metres of snow, suspended more than 2500 m above sea level and surrounded by towering peaks that hide it from view. A 360° view all the way up to the peaks of Austria. You can reach it from San Martino di Castrozza with the Colverde-Rosetta ski lifts. From where the cable car lets you off, you can climb to Cima Rosetta, in about 15 minutes downhill, you will reach the Rifugio Pedrotti alla Rosetta (refreshment open on Saturdays and Sundays), or can tackle longer tours through the plateau up to the glacier of Fradusta or to Cima delle Scarpe. An Alpine environment that requires knowledge and appropriate clothing!
Val Venegia
One of the most picturesque routes for a snowshoe excursion is Val Venegia. A valley way up high, in summer a place of Alpine pastures at the foot of the Pale di San Martino. Located on the outskirts of the Forest of Paneveggio, one of the most beautiful spruce forests of the Alps, also known as the forest of Violins, because for centuries the wood has been used to manufacture musical instruments. Departure from Passo Rolle (parking Segantini, 1950 m), climb up the trodden road to Baita Segantini (2200 m), and then descent into Val Venegia to Malga Venegiota (closed in winter) and Malga Venegia (open every day except on Mondays). From here we climb back to Malga Juribello (closed in winter) and then return to Passo Rolle. The route is usually trodden, but not well marked in some places. It will take you about 6 hours to travel the entire circular path.
Cima delle Scarpe
A full day snowshoe hike in true Alpine spirit, which takes place on the plateau of Pale di San Martino. With gorgeous all-round mountain views in a desert of white dunes and total silence. Departure from the end stop of the Rosetta cable car, heading East, and then we climb up to Passo Pradidali Basso, conquering Cima Scarpe. We make our way back circling the trail to the cable car. This excursion takes place between 2500 and 2800 m a.s.l., so remember to wear appropriate clothing, sunscreen and sunglasses.
The Fradusta Glacier
A full day snowshoe hike, which takes place on the plateau of Pale di San Martino.
The plateau of Pale di San Martino in winter takes on a unique conformation, with huge meringues of snow and wind-carved entrails. The way to get to the glacier is a gentle up and down that makes you feel as though you were on the moon. Departure from the end-stop of the Rosetta cable car, heading towards the glacier of Fradusta, walking in a circle to return to the cable car. An Alpine-nature hike that takes place
between 2500 and 2700 m a.s.l., so don’t forget to wear proper clothing, sunscreen and sunglasses.
Cima Castellazzo
A one-day long snowshoe hike near Passo Rolle.
Departure from Passo Rolle, climb up to Capanna Cervino to then climb to the sunny and panoramic summit of Castellazzo.
A magnificent peak that dominates all the valleys, formerly a strategic point during the great war, with views of the North chain of the Pale and Dolomitic chains, and of the Lagorai. The Cristo Pensante (or “Meditative Christ”) was placed here not too long ago.