This itinerary on Pale di San Martino is a very demanding loop, both in terms of mileage and elevation gain.
difficult
Distance 15.4 km
Duration10:00 h
Ascent2,056 m
Descent2,053 m
Highest point2,726 m
Lowest point1,335 m
The hike develops along the southernmost part of the Pale di San Martino group, includes 2 Dolomite peaks – Cima Cimerlo (2,505m a.s.l.) and Cima Stanga (2,250m a.s.l.) – it touches two refuges – Rifugio Velo and Rifugio Pradidali – and includes three via ferratas (protected climbing routes) – Dino Buzzati, Velo, and Nico Gusella. Cimerlo peak offers a splendid view over the entire Primiero Valley, so once you finish via ferrata Dino Buzzati, we recommend not immediately descending toward Stanga but instead following the cairns south, which will take you to the top in 5 minutes along the ridge. The highest point of the itinerary is instead Forcella Stephen (2,705m a.s.l.) between Cima di Roda and Cima di Ball, without a doubt the most scenic point of the entire hike. For those who decide to divide the tour in two days, from Forcella Stephen (forcella is a type of mountain pass) you can reach Cima di Roda in about fifteen minutes – the additional effort will be rewarded with a splendid 360-degree view over Pale di San Martino. As previously mentioned, this is a challenging itinerary that will offer you a complete variety of terrain, allowing you to experience a high mountain atmosphere in a moderately safe environment.
Author’s recommendation
If you do not think you have the adequate physical preparation, we recommend dividing the loop into two parts and staying one night at the Rifugio Velo della Madonna.
The environment is mainly mountainous, so we recommend all the equipment necessary to be able to face three via ferratas. The risk of fall is not high, but in some places it can certainly be dangerous.
Start
Fosna (1,334 m)
Coordinates:
DD
46.207632, 11.857787
DMS
46°12'27.5"N 11°51'28.0"E
UTM
32T 720452 5121087
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Destination
Fosna
Turn-by-turn directions
From Prati Fosne follow the signs for path No. 747 up to Rifugio Velo della Madonna. From Rifugio Velo della Madonna take path No. 739 and then path No. 714 to reach Forcella Stephen. Once via ferrata Nico Gusella ends, follow the signs for Rifugio Pradidali. From Rifugio Pradidali continue on path No. 709, which goes down to Portela, and from there turn left on path No. 719, which leads to Fosne.
The main parking spot is at Rifugio Petina if you want to approach the starting point by motorized means, otherwise we recommend parking the car in the town of Siror and do the route on foot.
Coordinates
DD
46.207632, 11.857787
DMS
46°12'27.5"N 11°51'28.0"E
UTM
32T 720452 5121087
w3w
///undid.resells.depict
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Book recommendation by the author
A. GRECI, B. HOLZER, P. DONSBACH; Ferrate nelle Pale di San Martino, Idea Montagna Edizioni, 2015
Pale di San Martino ovest, Touring, collana Guida dei monti d'Italia, 2006.
Author’s map recommendations
Carta N° 622 Pale di San Martino - Fiera di Primiero 1:25 000: Wanderkarte mit Radrouten, Kompass.
Carta N° 22 Pale di San Martino 1:25.000, Tabacco
Equipment
Given the complexity of the hike, we recommend having:
Mountain backpack, comfortable and sturdy
Mountain boots or good hiking shoes, possibly in Gore-Tex
Windproof jacket and light windproof overtrousers
Spare t-shirts, underwear, socks
Long hiking trousers, comfortable for walking
Fleece or heavy sweater
Small first aid kit, blister plasters
Water bottle or thermos, pocket knife, and headlamp
Information material and map of the area
Telescopic poles, for those who find them comfortable
Questions and answers
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