Pale di San Martino Via Ferrata Hut to Hut Safari - Dolomites

Your journey begins in Bolzano, the gateway to the Dolomites and the perfect meeting point before entering the powerful landscapes of Pale di San Martino. After check-in at the hotel, you will meet your mountain guide for a welcome briefing. During this informal meeting, your via ferrata equipment will be provided and carefully checked, the program will be reviewed together, and you will receive final recommendations for the upcoming safari… and for a nice restaurant to start your adventure in Italy!

Private airport transfers to Bolzano are available on request.

Accommodation: Hotel in Bolzano

We start the safari by entering immediately into the vertical terrain of the Pale di San Martino. Around 1400 meters (approx. 4600 ft) of elevation gain set the tone of the journey from the very first day, moving from forested approaches to exposed limestone towers where the atmosphere becomes unmistakably alpine.

If conditions are favorable, the objective is the Via Ferrata Dino Buzzati on Cimerlo, a difficult and exposed route that requires steady movement on steep terrain and offers a direct introduction to the wild character of these mountains. Depending on the group and mountain conditions, the guide may instead choose the Via Ferrata del Cacciatore on Cima Stanga, technically intermediate, or the Sentiero Depaoli, technically easy to intermediate but still long and physically demanding. Each option follows the same logic of progression into the Pale, combining vertical sections with authentic mountain travel.

The higher we move, the more the landscape opens into wide horizons of rock and light. The day ends at Rifugio Velo della Madonna, beneath the impressive walls of Cima della Madonna and Sass Maòr.

Accommodation: Rifugio Velo della Madonna

After breakfast at the scenic Rifugio Velo della Madonna, the journey continues through the heart of the Pale with around 1000 meters (approx. 3300 ft) of elevation gain and descent. We begin with the beautiful Via Ferrata del Velo, technically easy yet spectacular, moving along ledges and cables with constant views over the surrounding towers. The route naturally flows into the Via Ferrata del Portòn, technically easy to intermediate, which we follow in descent, combining airy passages with authentic alpine terrain.

Crossing the saddle between Sass Maòr and Cima di Ball, the landscape opens into one of the most iconic corners of the Pale di San Martino. From here the journey continues across high alpine terrain toward Rifugio Rosetta at 2581 m (approx. 8465 ft), a panoramic plateau suspended above the valleys and a natural continuation of the Dolomitesafari through the heart of the Pale.

Accommodation: Rifugio Rosetta

Another strong alpine day awaits, with around 1000 meters (approx. 3300 ft) of elevation gain. The objective is the Via Ferrata Bolver Lugli to Cima Vezzana, a technically intermediate to difficult route that moves through steep rock, ledges, and high mountain terrain, fully immersed in the wild atmosphere of the Pale.

The line follows a historic alpine route and offers a more serious and remote feeling compared to the previous days. Step by step the landscape becomes wider and more austere, until reaching the summit of Cima Vezzana. Standing on the highest point of the Pale di San Martino feels simply Fantastico!

After the summit, we descend back toward Rifugio Pedrotti al Rosetta, closing another authentic stage of the Pale Dolomites safari!

Accommodation: Rifugio Rosetta

For the final stage we connect with the Alta Via n.2 of the Dolomites, following a last high mountain trail that allows us to completely traverse the Pale di San Martino. The wild Sentiero delle Farangole leads us toward Passo delle Farangole through a remote alpine landscape shaped by rock, wind, and silence, a natural conclusion to the journey.

From the pass we continue along the Alta Via toward Rifugio Mulaz, gradually leaving the high plateau behind as the scenery opens toward the southern valleys. Step by step we make our way back to Passo Rolle, where this incredible chapter of the Grand Dolomitesafari comes to an end after a full crossing of the Pale

Are you are still full of energy and ready to keep climbing? You could continue the adventure with another classic route such as the Via Ferrata dei Finanzieri for a truly full-gas day in the mountains. …But here is a my precious advice! We diserve a rest day, with a relaxing approach hike toward Rifugio Treviso: the body recovers, the mind absorbs the experience, and the Dolomitesafari journey to continue with renewed strength and motivation! ;)

Accommodation: Hotel in Bolzano

Breakfast and departure on your own (private transfert to the airport is possible on request).