On peaks and slopes of Pale of San Martino

A holiday at the Hotel Relais Orsingher is ideal for lovers of high altitude excursions or climbing. Primiero-San Martino di Castrozza offers numerous possibilities along secured paths, mountain routes or climbing for both the more expert or first-timers.

Vie ferrate

Vie ferrate are a combination of fixings, metal cables, ladders and iron pegs that make rocky terrain, of whatever difficulty, practicable – putting it within reach even of non-climbers.  The Dolomites, and in particular the Pale of San Martino, are without equal for the number and beauty of secured paths that they offer.  Amongst these are the challenging Ferrata Bolver-Luigi on the Cimon della Pala, the scenic Ferrata del Velo that links the Rifugio Pradidali with the Rifugio del Velo by way of the Forcella di Portòn, and the via ferrata “Dino Buzzati” on the Cimerlo, equipped in 1977 in honour of the famous writer who climbed in the Val Canali for years.

Mountain streets

Exploration of the Pale di San Martino dates from the middle of the 1800’s.  The English were the first intrepid mountaineers to tackle the dolomitic peaks and broadcast to the world the beauty of the Pale di San Martino.  Among the most renowned routes are the “"Spigolo del Velo", the "Buhl" on Cima Canali, the path "Solleder" on Sass Maor, the "Wiessner" on Sass d'Ortiga and the "Castiglione-Detassis" on Campanile Pradidali.

Climbing

In and around Primiero there are many cliffs to which climbing enthusiasts can attach themselves.  Amongst these is that of San Silvestro (possible even when it rains), those of Totoga (more than 100 routes) and Castelpietra (the historic cliff on the mass that holds up the ruins of the Castel Pietra in Val Canali).

Not to be missed

• Alta via n.2: alpine route (185 km) that winds between the Isarco and Piave rivers, joining up  the cities of Bressanone and Feltre. Also known as the Alta via delle Leggende, the Alta via n.2 starts in the area of the Gruppo della Plose and crosses the Odle group and the Puez, the mass of Sella and the Marmolada, the Pale di San Martino before the last part, the great crossing of the Dolomiti Feltrine. In Primiero there are various stages of this scenic itinerary: setting off from Passo Valles one reaches the Val Venegia then, by way of the pass Fochet di Focobon, the refuge G. Volpi at Mulaz, continuing over Passo delle Farangole to the refuge Pedrotti on the Rosetta, then by way of the Val di Roda and the Passo di Ball, to reach the refuge Pradidali. The route continues towards the Passo delle Lede until the Rifugio Treviso, the Val Canali and Passo Cereda, then crosses the Vette Feltrine until reaching Feltre.
• • The Peace Path: touristic hiking route that winds for 450 km through forest roads, trenches and paths that link the Stelvio to the Marmolada, following the front line of the First World War. In Primiero, the stage begins at the Rifugio Refavaie (1116 mt) in the Vanoi Valley, reaching Caoria, location of the Museum of the Great War and ex-war cemetery, then going up again through the Valsorda as far as the ex-Malga Tognola of Siror (1988 mt) and a short distance away the Pian dei Cannoni. Continue to Malga Valcigolera (1880 mt.) and, crossing the Pian delle Cartucce, reach the Rifugio Colbricon (1927 mt) and then Passo Rolle.