Excursions for all at Primiero – San Martino di Castrozza

An extensive network of paths, mule tracks and forest roads allow you to calmly tackle routes not only at low and medium level but also at high altitude. For the less fit, it’s easy to reach altitude in a few minutes by cable car and chair lift: leaving time to enjoy the views during long summer days

Life in Huts Dolomites Poline meadows

Excursions through meadows, pastures and alpine huts

Within easy reach of all! Excursions through meadows and pastures are usually non-taxing and decisively relaxing, on the flat or with moderate height differences. It is also a way to get to know the architecture of mountain chalets, the materials used, the simple but effective techniques with which, for centuries, cowsheds and casère have been built in stone and hay barns in wood.

Baita Segantini (Segantini Hut), Prati Dismoni (Dismoni Meadows), Prati Ronzi(Ronzi Meadows), Val Giasinozza (Giasinozza Valley), Prati di San Giovanni (San Giovanni Meadows), Chiesetta di San Silvestro (San Silvestro Church),
Prati Fosne-Prà Cimerlo (Fosne-Cimerlo Meadows) are just some of possible destinations during our holidays.

Excursions to the lakes

The different mountain lakes of Primiero are the opportunity for beautiful walks and excursions for all, to discover fairy-tale scenery amongst the magical setting of the Dolomites. The Colbricon Lakes, Lake Calaita, Lake Pisorno, the Welsperg Lake and the Lake of Noana are accessible to everyone thanks to convenient paths of easy or medium difficulty.

High altitude excursions

Excursions at high altitude always give great satisfaction. The area of Primiero – San Martino di Castrozza is included in Trekking of the Legends, an itinerary suitable for every hiker to get to know this place of extraordinary beauty. It is important to remember that for whichever route chosen, it is always best to carry a detailed map of footpaths, to wear the right clothes for altitude and to always check weather conditions before setting off.

Some of our suggestions for your holiday in the pursuit of trekking

The Cavallazza and the Great War: historic-naturalist excursions on Cavallazza, a modest but panoramic mountain south- west of Passo Rolle, which was the theatre, like all the mountains in the Lagorai chain, of which it is part, of bloody battles during the Great War of 1915-1918. Arriving on Passo Rolle, go up towards the crest of Tognazza. Surrounded by spectacular views (Pale di San Martino, Castellaz, the imposing mass that separates the meadows of Rolle from the Venegia Valley and, in the distance, Marmolada and the Tofana of Rozes), venture amongst the trenches of the Great War to reach the top of Little Cavallazza (m.2130). After stopping to admire Lake Cavallazza, go up towards the top (m.2324), then descend the gravel path to the Colbricon Lakes. From the lakes, there is an easy path back to Passo Rolle.
Tour of the Mountain Huts: from Passo Rolle, arrive at Baita Segantini (2170 m) and its magical setting in front of the Cimon della Pala and Cima Vezzana. From there, go down the dirt track to the Pian della Vezzana until the junction for Forcella Venegia. Malga Venegiotta (1824m) is reached by going down through the pasture and crossing the Travignolo Torrent in the direction of Malga Juribello, Along the path, called “San Giovanni”, pass through the upper part of the Paneveggio Forest to come out on the pastures of Malga Juribello at the foot of Castellaz and from here return to Passo Rolle.
The Ring of Meadows (Meadow of Madego-theTognola Meadows-Sawmill of Valzanca): one of five routes that form part of the Ethnographic Footpath of the Vanoi (the others are “the valley”, “water”, “the wood”, “the mountain”). Setting off from the village of Caoria, go up the old footpath of the Reversi. The Ring of Meadows route starts at the Stel Bridge (300 metres above Caoria). Along the route, it is possible to see different types of construction, the low casèrein wood, the big tabiàdi built with stone and tree trunks in which hay was kept. From the casoni della Fiàmena, continue towards the Tognola Meadows where you can stop and see the interior and exterior of the buildings. To close, visit the Valzanca Sawmill, which dates back to 1870 and has recently been rebuilt. The hydraulic sawmill is powered with water from the Valzanca Torrent.
On the Plateau of the Pale: the Colverde-Rosetta cable car and gondola go up from San Martino di Castrozza and it is a short distance from the mountain station to the Rosetta Refuge, the junction of numerous routes that cross the plateau of the Pale, the big “desert” of rock that extends for 50 square kilometres. Going south on Path 708-709, with a number of ascents-descents, arrive at the Pradidali Pass and then go on until the Fradusta Glacier and the lake at the foot of the glacier. From here, reach the signpost 707 of the Forcella del Miel and following it return to the Rosetta Refuge and the cable car. During all the crossing, to the east it is possible to see a number of mountains of the Dolomite group – Civetta, Antelao, the Tofane and Pelmo. Meanwhile, to the north is the northern chain of the Pale and its highest peaks: the Cimon, Vezzana, the Bureloni, Focobon, Capido and the high valleys of the Cantoni, the Galline, the Comele, Val Strutt and Valgrande.
Crossing of the Plateau of the Pale: on arrival at the Rosetta Refuge, take Path 702 to Passo di Roda (2.583 m), then descend towards the Val di Roda. Leaving the 702, which goes down to San Martino di Castrozza, follow Path 715 until arriving at Passo di Ball (2.443 m). Over the pass, a short descent leads to the Pradidali Refuge (2.278 m). Continuing to go down through a series of bends, arrive in the area of Pedemonte (1.650 m). Following Path 709, pass by the Don Bosco Chalets and La Ritonda to reach the Cant del Gal, where the Val Pradidali meets the Val Canali
The Val Canali: a route which starts and finishes at Villa Welsperg, HQ of the Parco Naturale Paneveggio – Pale di San Martino. On an easy path that follows the right bank of the Canali Torrent, arrive in the area of Cant del Gal, taking then the path that leads towards the “wild” Val Pradidali in front of the imposing Cima Canali and the ruins of Malga Pradidali. The path continues amidst the forest, passing the Ostio meadow and the Canali meadows to arrive in the pastures of Malga Canali. From here, through the wood under the Pala della Madonna, reach the Pian de l’Oltro and go down through the Troi dei Todesch until reaching the bottom of the valley and arriving back at the point of departure.
From Imèr to the Vederna Refuge and Monte Pavione: a lovely excursion along a good path that goes up from Primiero to the meadows of Malga Agnerola under the northern side of Pavione and to the Piano Grande of Vederna. From Malga Agnerola, ascend to the summit of Monte Pavione (2335 m, the highest peak of the Vette Feltrine). This mountains stands out from the others because of its extraordinary geometric shape in the form of a “pyramid”. From the top, enjoy exceptional views at 360°, which on really clear days, allow a faraway glimpse of the Venetian Lagoon.
Passo Gobbera, Totoga and the “Stoli”: from Passo Gobbera (995 m) take Path 345 for Monte Totoga. The military road and then a mule-track lead to the Forest Refuge San Giovanni Gualberto (1.570 m). A short distance from the refuge, following the ex-military road, are the “Stoli” ,Italian artillery posts built on two levels in 1915. From the big “windows”, awaits the wonderful panorama of the whole Vanoi valley. From the Stoli, arrive in around half an hour at the summit of Monte Totoga (1.705 m) to enjoy a view from Passo Brocon to the Pale di San Martino and all the Vanoi Valley.

Nordic Walking

Nordic walking means a sporting technique of walking that originated in Finland and is carried out using appropriate poles. It is a gentle activity that can be practised for health, fitness or sport, from easy, therapeutic walks to exercises for athletes.

Over the years, there have been many studies into Nordic Walking that confirm the notable benefits that this sport can bring to the body: 40% more effective than walking without sticks, increase in energy consumed due to higher muscular involvement, economises the work of the heart, reinforcing the immune system and stimulating the elimination of toxins from the body.

At San Martino di Castrozza, thanks to qualified instructors, it is possible to learn the basic techniques of this discipline and to tackle the different routes advised (including a “School Track”).