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Fixed rope route recommended route

Fosne - Cimerlo - Velo - Nico Gusella - Pradidali

Fixed rope route · San Martino di Castrozza,Primiero,Vanoi
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APT San Martino di Castrozza, Primiero e Vanoi Verified partner  Explorers Choice 
  • Photo: Primiero Hiking, APT San Martino di Castrozza, Primiero e Vanoi
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
10:00 h
2,056 m
2,053 m
2,726 m
1,335 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.
Profile picture of Primiero Hiking
Author
Primiero Hiking
Update: June 23, 2020
Difficulty
difficult
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Risk potential
Highest point
2,726 m
Lowest point
1,335 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Cardinal direction
NESW

Track types

Asphalt 0.35%Forested/wild trail 19.96%Path 42.30%Via ferrata 37.36%
Asphalt
0.1 km
Forested/wild trail
3.1 km
Path
6.5 km
Via ferrata
5.8 km
Show elevation profile

Safety information

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
w3w 
///undid.resells.depict

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.

Public transport

www.ttesercizio.it

 

By road

 https://www.sanmartino.com/EN/getthere/

 

Parking

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

Sunscreen and camera


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Photos from others


Difficulty
difficult
Distance
15.4 km
Duration
10:00 h
Ascent
2,056 m
Descent
2,053 m
Highest point
2,726 m
Lowest point
1,335 m
Circular route Multi-stage route Scenic Refreshment stops available Geological highlights Exposed sections Secured passages Completely cable-secured Classic via ferrata

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