Today we will talk about the most classic hikes to do in the Dolomites. The Dolomites undoubtedly represent a unique heritage of our country: one of the most suitable places to practice skiing during the winter season and trekking during spring and summer. If you are passionate about trekking and hiking, all you have to do is put your backpack on and set off for one of the fantastic destinations in the Dolomites!
Table of Content
- Rifugio Brentei, Madonna di Campiglio
- Sassopiatto Circuit, Campitello di Fassa
- Rifugio Genova, San Martino in Badia
- Rifugio Boé, Canazei
- Tre Cime di Lavaredo
- Pale di San Martino
1 – Rifugio Brentei, Madonna di Campiglio
Rifugio Brentei – Madonna di Campiglio is located in the Brenta group, a dolomitic group in Trentino. The Brenta is a somewhat secluded mountain group but definitely interesting. In the beautiful rock amphitheater of the upper Val di Brenta lies the Rifugio Maria e Alberto Fossati Bellani ai Brentei. For decades, this refuge was managed by an important and well-known figure in the area and beyond: Bruno Detassi, a great mountaineer between the 1930s and 1960s. Today the refuge is owned by the CAI of Monza. Rifugio Brentei is placed on a charming terrace at the end of the Vallone dei Brentei, within the splendid Adamello-Brenta Natural Park. The refuge is open and operational from June 20th until the end of September. It can be reached starting from Madonna di Campiglio by following the Arciduca trail or road through the forest. After reaching the Rifugio Vallesinella at 1513 m, continue to Rifugio Casinei, then take trail 318 and finally reach the destination at 2182 meters altitude. The hike takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes.
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2 – Sassopiatto Circuit, Campitello di Fassa
Lovers of trekking and mountain walks will find the Sassopiatto Circuit one of the most beautiful hiking destinations in the entire Dolomite group. You can experience a unique trek around the mountain that dominates the Alpe di Siusi. The hike begins with a cable car from Campitello di Fassa (Val di Fassa) that takes you to Col Rodella. Then continue trekking to reach the Rifugio Friedrich August at 2298 m altitude. From here, the trail dedicated to the King of Saxony, a frequent visitor to these places, begins. You can complete the circuit around the plateau in about 4 to 5 hours. From these locations, you will enjoy breathtaking views. The path passes near and around many peaks of the Sassolungo, reaching Rifugio Sandro Pertini and Rifugio Vicenza. From the latter, you climb up to the Forcella del Sassolungo, at 2681 meters, where Rifugio Toni Demetz is located. After reaching Passo Sella (by trail or cable car), you continue along a dirt road leading to the upper station of the Col Rodella cable car, which descends back to Campitello di Fassa.
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3 – Rifugio Genova, San Martino in Badia
Another jewel of the Dolomite mountains is the Rifugio Genova, located at 2297 meters altitude along the Alta Via no. 2, at the intersection of the Val di Funes and the Ladin Valleys. The refuge was built in 1898 and is set in the enchanting Puez-Odle Natural Park, an ideal starting point for both gentle walks and demanding trekking excursions. Here is the most common itinerary to reach Rifugio Genova, which is open from mid-June to mid-October. The hike starts at Passo delle Erbe, at 2004 meters altitude. The pass is reachable from San Martino in Badia. You will hike for 3 hours along a trail through green meadows and climb past Forcella di Putia. In a short part of the climb, you will need to use a metal rope for support.
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4 – Rifugio Boé, Canazei
Rifugio Monti Pallidi (1850 meters altitude) is located in a charming clearing, starting from Canazei (Trento), reaching Passo di Sella just after the turnoff for Passo Pordoi. Reaching this refuge is certainly one of the most evocative mountain hikes in Trentino. From the refuge, you can enjoy beautiful views overlooking the Sella Group. Rifugio Boé can be reached by passing Forcella dell’Antersass at 2830 meters and Dosso dell’Antersass at 2906 meters altitude. From Rifugio Boé, it is also possible to hike for another hour to reach the summit of Piz Boé at 3151 meters altitude.
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5 – Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Among the most famous peaks of the beautiful Dolomites are certainly the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, located at the border between the Dolomiti di Sesto and Auronzo di Cadore. Tre Cime di Lavaredo are considered a unique natural wonder and one of the best-known trekking and climbing destinations in the Alps. The Cima Grande, in particular, is a classic north face of the Alps, offering incredible panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and the Tre Cime Natural Park. Here you can hike some of the most beautiful and enchanting trails of the Dolomites. Note that the only way to reach the Tre Cime by car is via a toll panoramic road that goes directly from Misurina. The refuges reachable in the Tre Cime area are:
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6 - Pale di San Martino
The Pale di San Martino represent the largest mountain group of all the Dolomites (Pale Group). This mountain group is located between eastern Trentino and Veneto (Belluno Province). The Trentino part includes the Paneveggio-Pale di San Martino Natural Park. The Pale geological system was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009. There are many alpine refuges reachable in this large area. The most picturesque are:
This concludes our journey exploring the most beautiful hikes in the mountains of Trentino.
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