San Martino – Calaita: the charm of Alpine peaks and lakes - Tour 2267
APT San Martino di Castrozza, Primiero e Vanoi Verified partner Explorers Choice
From the Dolomite amphitheatre of the Pale di San Martino, we pass the Lagorai range and reach the magical natural Calaita lake basin. The dispersed capitals, buildings and countless forest tracks along the route give us an idea of how the woods in these areas were and continue to be lived and populated today. The high spires of the Pala group, which accompany us during the excursion, majestically overlook the lively towns on the valley floor, which can be glimpsed in the distance.
It can be considered an easy tour if limited to the section from San Martino di Castrozza to Lake Calaita, with return via the same route or with a connecting trail down to Vanoi through the picturesque Lozen Valley and its mountain farms (masi). It becomes however quite challenging if you return to San Martino doing a complete Bedolè tour, with more technical and difficult parts requiring a higher level of training and experience.
Author’s recommendation
Track types
Safety information
In order to avoid situations that may endanger their own and other people’s safety, bikers are asked to be particularly careful in case of men at work in the wood and interrupted trail.
For riding this tour in safety, you can contact the Lagorai Bike School visiting the following website: www.primierobike.com
Please note that the practicability of the itineraries in a mountain environment is strictly linked to the contingent conditions and is therefore influenced by natural phenomena, environmental changes and weather conditions. For this reason, the information contained in this page may have changed. Before leaving for a tour, make sure the path you will approach is still accessible by contacting the owner of the mountain hut, the alpine guides or the visitor centres of the nature parks, the info offices of the local tourist board.
Tips and hints
More info on "Primiero Bike School" at the following website: www.primierobike.com
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
Departure is set near the Plank lake and the sports area of San Martino di Castrozza, from where we continue in the direction of the campsite. At the junction, continue left uphill on a dirt road, then at the next junction turn left and proceed on sloping ground towards Malga Crel. After the wooden bridge, keep right on the uphill forest track to reach Malga Crel, which is found in a slightly elevated position with respect to our route. We continue slightly downhill until the next intersection, where we keep right, then after about 2.5 km we take the trail that climbs up to Forcella Calaita. The trail isn’t very long but has a few challenging slopes where the bike needs to be pushed. Continue along the main track as far as Calaita lake and the namesake Refuge, then afterwards down a short stretch of paved road until the junction where we take a right onto the dirt road for Malga Grugola. Continue for about 1 km until the trail mark for the horse trail on the left, which we take to reach Malga Lozen (S2). After reaching the dirt road, continue left until joining up with the provincial road for the Calaita lake, which climbs back up for a few dozen metres. Now turn right, taking the Frate Doch-Canazè forest track, first uphill and then on sloping ground towards Sant’Antonio. Continue for a few kilometres, and at the junction keep left until reaching a square where a ridge trail departs, which leads down towards the Capitello di Sant’Antonio, crossing the forest track and continuing downhill. Here, turn left and continue downhill until the forest track below for a technical
(S2) but very fun descent. Continue downhill for about one km, turn left and continue until the Pian del Sguelz forest track. At the intersection in Camp, keep left and continue along the Bedolé forest track and then the Cosaipi forest track in the direction of Dismoni until reaching the Negrezza forest track, and turn left towards Malga Crel. The climb is long and very steep in some sections, but with a good surface. After reaching Malga Crel, go back along the same route as before, returning to San Martino di Castrozza.
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Public transport coach line Trentino Trasporti: www.ttesercizio.it
Parking
Large car park near Plank lake in San Martino di CastrozzaCoordinates
Equipment
MTBs with off-road tires
helmets
protective eyewear
repair kits
first-aid kits
water
windbreakers for downhill sections
Questions and answers
Rating
Photos from others