Dolomites High Route 2

Stage 1: Kreuztal cable car station – Schlüter hut

We start the high route with a ride on the Plose cable car from the valley station in St. Andrä near Brixen up to the small settlement of Kreuztal. From there, we hike about 2 km to the Plose hut. The route southeast over the Lüsner saddle, the Halsl hut, and the Edelweiß hut to the Schlüter hut is well marked and poses no difficult sections except for the somewhat strenuous ascent to the Peitler saddle.

Stage 2: Schlüter hut – Puez hut

From the Schlüter hut, we continue amidst the Puez-Geisler Nature Park heading south upward to the Bronsoi pass, then along the southern flank of Sobutsch and Medalges westward to the Kreuz saddle. There, we proceed on trail no. 3 below the Wasserkofel – partly over scree and rocky slopes – southwards to the Forcella Roa. Over the Vall della Roa and the Forcella de Sieles, we reach the Puez Alm and finally the Puez hut.

Stage 3: Puez hut – Pisciadù hut

The section from the Puez hut to Grödner Joch is a pleasant hike leading on trail no. 2 initially south to the Forcella de Ciampei, then southwest above the Crespeina lake to the Crespeina pass, to the Cir pass, and via the Jimmy hut to Grödner Joch. This is followed by a steep ascent on trail no. 666 through the Val Setus (scree, switchbacks, often snow remnants), where cables and iron clamps partly assist us. We reach the Sella band, which encircles the Sella massif about halfway up. Shortly after, we turn left to the Pisciadù hut.

Stage 4: Pisciadù hut – Boè hut

The next stage leads on trail no. 666 above the Lech de Pisciadù further south; initially over scree, then on a secured path into the Val de Tita. After leaving the high valley, we ascend and descend until the junction with trail no. 649. We continue straight ahead to the notch before the Zwischenkofel. From there, we either ascend via trail no. 666 over its summit or stay right on the Coburger path (climbing sections of grade I difficulty) to the Boè hut.

Stage 5: Boè hut – Rifugio Castiglioni Marmolada

The fifth stage follows trail 627 southward along the western flank of Piz Boè to the Pordoi saddle with the Rifugio Forcella Pordoi. From there, the descent leads through the steep gully to the Pordoijoch (Passo Pordoi). From there, trail no. 601 continues south to Rifugio Fredarola, then slightly uphill eastward to Rifugio Vièl dal Pan. The Bindelweg is a delightful high-altitude hike through the Padon group with magnificent views of Marmolada and the Langkofel group. Then follows the steep descent to Lago di Fedaia with Rifugio Castiglioni Marmolada.

Stage 6: Rifugio Castiglioni Marmolada – Rifugio Contrin

Now follows one of the most challenging sections of the high route, recommended only for experienced hikers and in suitable weather – check current (snow) conditions beforehand! Use of crampons and ice axe on the Marmolada glacier as well as an avalanche kit when ascending to the Marmolada saddle is advisable. From the southern shore of the lake, go to the valley station of the Fedaia gondola; the ascent to Rifugio Pian die Fiacconi is then on foot or by cable car. From there, trail no. 606 heads west towards the Marmolada glacier. We cross the glacier upwards southwest and finally ascend a steep slope (firn, often icy) to the Forcella Marmolada. Via an iron ladder (trail no. 606), we descend into a narrow gully, then switchback to Rifugio Contrin.

Stage 7: Rifugio Contrin – Passo Pellegrino

We pass the Malga Contrin on the left and ascend to a meadow. From there, continue west to the western flank of Cima Ombretta. The ascent to Passo delle Cirelle is over much scree. On trail 607, we descend in switchbacks to Fuciade in Val di Cigole. Early in the summer, old snow must definitely be expected on the descent (ice axe and crampons recommended)! From Rifugio Fuciade, we go southwest over meadows, then through light forest to Lago di Pozze with Rifugio Miralgo, then continue down to Passo di San Pellegrino.

Stage 8: Passo Pellegrino – Passo di Vallès

From the large parking lot, we ascend southeast on trail no. 658, passing under the gondola, to the panoramic eastern ridge of Col Margherita. From there, head south high above Lago di Cavia to a forest road, which we follow left down to Forcella di Pradazzo. From there, a lovely hike leads south to Passo di Vallès with Capanna Passo Vallès.

Stage 9: Passo di Vallès – Rifugio Mulaz

Trail no. 752 leads us up steep switchbacks to Forcella di Venegia, then through the southern flanks of Cima del Lago and Cima Venegiotta to Passo Venegiotta. On trail no. 751, we ascend steep switchbacks to a shoulder where trail no. 753 branches left. We stay right, heading southeast along the eastern flank of Monte Mulaz. The following ascent to Rifugio Mulaz requires surefootedness and climbing experience of grade I difficulty (cables, snow remnants, scree).

Stage 10: Rifugio Mulaz – Rifugio di Rosetta

We follow trail no. 703 initially to Forcella Margherita, then below Cima di Focobón over scree slopes and crumbling rock to Passo delle Farangole. The landscape is magnificent but demanding (surefootedness, freedom from dizziness, climbing grade I) on the eastern side of the northern Pala group. Trail 703 leads into Val Grande, then high above Valle delle Comelle southward, with numerous exposed sections. At the end of Valle delle Comelle, our trail meets no. 704, ascending steeply to crossing trail 756, then right to Rifugio di Rosetta.

Stage 11: Rifugio di Rosetta – Rifugio Pradiali

On trail 702, we head south to Passo Val di Roda, then descend briefly in switchbacks before ascending gently to Col della Fede. Below the western cliffs of Pala di San Martino, we reach a junction where we continue straight on trail no. 715. We come to an exposed ledge (rope), leading down into a scree hollow. After the steep ascent to Passo di Ball, we descend over cliffy, partly scree terrain to Rifugio Pradiali.

Stage 12: Rifugio Pradiali – Rifugio Treviso

The next stage again offers magnificent scenery but is the most challenging section of the entire high route (unsecured climbing passage grade II) and should be tackled only with good visibility and appropriate weather. Trail no. 709 leads north into a high valley – below, to the right, we see Lago Pradiali. A marker then shows trail 711 to the right. Over a 70 m high wall secured with cables and iron stirrups, ledges, rock steps, and scree, we ascend to Passo delle Lede. From there, we descend to Bivacco Carlo Minazio. Trail 711 then leads steeply and for a long distance southeast down, with climbing sections of grade I. At a fork, we go left down into Val dei Canali, cross a stream, then ascend to crossing trail no. 707, following it to Rifugio Treviso.

Stage 13: Rifugio Treviso – Passo Cereda

Trail no. 718 directs us south through woods, bushes, and boulders. In a gully with signs, it ascends eastwards in switchbacks to a steep gully, then steep and fairly strenuous across grassy slopes and scree gullies to Forcella d’Oltro. A brief descent in very steep switchbacks follows before ascending on a shoulder heading southwest (caution!) crossing steep grassy slopes. Below the cliffs of Rocchetta and Cima Feltraio, the trail splits, with 718 descending halfway left to the meadow shoulder of Regade, then to a forest road. From there, we hike right down to Passo Cereda.

Stage 14: Passo Cereda – Bivacco Feltre

We follow trail no. 801 through the forest eastward to the end of the mountain road. Now a footpath leads us to a forest road, which we follow southeast to a fork. We keep right on footpath 801, which leads over several ditches and a gully to the base of Piz di Sagron. From there, it goes into a scree bowl and up towards the northern ridge of Pala Verde. On the marked path, we ascend the ridge to a scree band, where – after passing a rockfall zone – we continue climbing. Then follows a very steep, dangerous scree slope and rocky outcrops to a shoulder above Passo del Comedon. From there, we cross (partly very steep and exposed) to Bivacco Feltre and Bivacco Walter Bodo.

Stage 15: Bivacco Feltre – Rifugio Bruno Boz

On trail 801, we head southwest to the fork at the base of Col del Mul, then straight over Pian del Re and partly with climbing sections uphill to the shoulder Col die Bechi. Now the high route (Traversata Cimonega) begins below the east and south walls of Sass de Mura towards Pass de Mura. It offers magnificent views and a special variety of flowers but requires full concentration and caution. From there follows the descent to Rifugio Bruno Boz.

Stage 16: Rifugio Bruno Boz – Rifugio dal Piàz

On trail no. 801, we first head south up to Passo Finestra, then into the eastern side of Monte Zoccare Alto. There, we ascend, then undulate to a shoulder where we turn right below Forcella Zoccare Alto. On the eastern flank of the north ridge of Sasso Scarnia, we climb steeply to the ridge height, then to a rock ledge. There, we ascend right in switchbacks to a notch, then to a shoulder (2150 m). The trails are often exposed and require absolute surefootedness and freedom from dizziness. We descend scree below the east wall of Sasso Scarnia and then traverse to the lower southeast ridge. The long stage continues with the crossing to Alpe Ramezza. After crossing the more westerly rock slab “Piazza del Diavolo,” the path leads on an old military road to the green alpine meadows of Busa di Piètena and to Passo Piètena. Then follow the descent to Busa Le Vette Grandi and the subsequent ascent to Passo Le Vette Grandi. Slightly further south, we reach Rifugio dal Piàz.

Stage 17: Rifugio dal Piàz – Passo Croce d’Aune/Feltre

Trail no. 801 leads southwest on an old military road, the switchbacks of which we can partly shorten by paths through forest and meadows, down to Passo Croce d’Aune. From there, we hike on the pass road over Pedavena to Feltre or take a taxi or bus (not on Sundays).