Hiker with trekking poles on grassy slope below jagged mountain range at sunrise, Pale di San Martino.
Pale di San Martino Dolomites from Passo Rolle with green slopes and winding road under blue sky.
Rifugio Pradidali mountain hut with stone facade and red/white shutters against rocky peaks and clouds.
Mountain pass in Italy with green grassy meadows, winding roads, and distant peaks in summer.
Alpine lake reflecting clouds and mountains, with a stone hut near grassy slopes at Laghi di Colbricon.
Small hotel in Pradidali Valley with autumn trees and rugged mountain backdrop
Mountain refuge Rifugio Rosetta on rocky terrain with layered limestone and blue mountain ranges.
Summer landscape in Pale di San Martino with jagged peaks, green meadow, and hikers.
Towering pale rocky mountain peaks above sloping green hills and scattered larch trees under a blue sky with white clouds.
Alpine mountain peaks with green valley and rocky buttress under cloudy sky
Mountain hut on rocky plateau with stone path under cloudy sky
Trail signpost on rocky alpine plateau with hiking paths and mountains under cloudy sky
Grey plateau and rocky mountain peaks under a cloudy sky
Hikers crossing a rocky mountain plateau under a cloudy sky
Hikers on a rocky forest path through pine trees and mountain slopes
Deep valley with green pine forest below steep mountain cliffs under an overcast sky
Rugged limestone mountain slopes and distant peaks under a partly cloudy sky
Hikers on a rocky mountain ridge overlooking a valley village and alpine peaks
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⚡ Adventure seekers

Pale di San Martino Traverse

6 days / 5 nights

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Six days hut to hut through the Pale di San Martino in the Dolomites: cross the high plateau, sleep in rifugios and pass the Colbricon lakes on the way back.

Starting Point

San Martino di Castrozza

Finish Point

San Martino di Castrozza

Fitness Level

3/5

Technical Level

4/5

Season

From July to September

Accommodation Level

Basic / Comfort

Tour Type

Hut-to-Hut

Daily Distance

3 – 6 mi

Daily Elevation

246 – 3789 ft

Highlights

  • Start from San Martino di Castrozza, below the peaks of the Pale di San Martino
  • Add the optional climb to Cima Fradusta, with wide views across the plateau
  • Cross the Altopiano delle Pale, a vast rock plateau at 2,500-2,700 m
  • Descend through the forest of Val Pradidali to the floor of Val Canali
  • Take in the wide views of Cimon della Pala at Passo Rolle
  • Pass the two Colbricon lakes on your way back to San Martino
Technical level
4/5

The route crosses the heart of the Pale di San Martino over six days, linking three CAI huts on the plateau and in the valleys below. Days 2 and 4 cross the Altopiano delle Pale: rocky, uneven karst at 2,500-2,900 m with sustained exposure and no shelter between the huts. The descent from Rifugio Pradidali into Val Pradidali (CAI trail 709) is steep, with exposed sections secured by cables and metal handrails in the first two kilometres. Day 4 climbs more than 800 m in a single push from Rifugio Treviso to Passo Canali. Trail 701 below Rifugio Rosetta also has cables and handrails, on day 5 and on day 1 if you walk up instead of taking the cable car. No via-ferrata kit or helmet is required.

Aided passagesUse of handsExposed terrainHigh-alpine terrain
Read our full hiking difficulty guide

What’s included in the price?

Self-guided

Are you looking for a good adventure and limitless flexibility? Then you should try out a self-guided tour, perfect for independent explorers who want to set their own pace. Without the need to stick to a group schedule, you’re free to linger at scenic viewpoints while the logistics are taken care of in advance.

INCLUDED

4 nights in mountain huts with half-board
1 night in a 3-star hotel with breakfast
Digital guidebook with itinerary, route instructions, and practical information
GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app
Tour design and organization
Service and support during your hike

NOT INCLUDED

Cable car and gondola tickets
Tourist tax

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Airport transfer
on request
Airport Transfer from Venice/Verona/Milan to San Martino di Castrozza
on request
Extra nights
on request
Hotel upgrades
on request
Private rooms
on request
Single supplement
+90 €/person
Accommodation levelBasic / Comfort

Combines 3- and 4-star hotels, guesthouses, and B&Bs with private en-suite rooms and breakfast, and nights in rustic mountain huts or refuges with shared dormitory-style rooms and half-board meals. Comfortable properties are prioritized — hut stays are included only where the terrain or logistics require it.

These are examples of the type and standard you can expect. Actual properties may vary depending on availability.

What to bring to the tour

  • Hiking shoes/boots
  • 25 to 45-liter backpack
  • Base layer
  • Sports T-shirts
  • Hiking shorts
  • Hiking water-repellent pants
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Midlayer
  • Sports socks and underwear
  • Leisurewear for evenings
  • Down jacket
  • Gloves
  • Shade hat/cap
  • Warm headwear
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Headlamp
  • Hiking poles
  • ID card or passport
  • Snacks
  • Cash
  • Water bottles or hydration pack
  • Sleeping liner
  • Toiletries
  • Toilet paper
  • Small first aid kit

The Pale di San Martino Traverse beckons adventurers to explore the heart of the Dolomites, a journey marked by majestic peaks, serene lakes, and lush valleys.

Notable highlights include the serene Laghi di Colbricon and the panoramic Cima Fradusta mountain peak.

The paths, weaving through diverse terrains, offer a blend of peaceful woodland trails and exhilarating rocky ascents. The journey between Rifugio Rosetta and Pradidali unfolds across the rugged Pale di San Martino plateau, where each step reveals a new facet of the Dolomites' beauty.

Every aspect of the Pale di San Martino Traverse is carefully curated to provide a seamless and enriching experience. We book your rifugios, and you'll have our customer support and a digital guidebook with GPS navigation for all stages.

On the first and fifth days, cable cars can shorten the walk without missing out on the stunning vistas. But hikers should still be prepared for a strenuous adventure that tests physical endurance and hiking prowess.

The Pale di San Martino Traverse is one of the most demanding hikes we offer. This adventure is suited for fit and experienced hikers who are prepared for a challenge. The trails, while immensely rewarding, demand a good level of fitness, sure-footedness, and hiking experience.

Join us on this extraordinary traverse of the Pale di San Martino.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. There are short cable-secured sections on steep paths, but no helmet or via-ferrata kit is needed.

It's one of our most demanding hut tours: 4-10 km and up to 1,150 m of climbing a day (day 4 is the hardest), on rocky ground between 1,450 and 2,940 m. Cable cars can shorten days 1 and 5.

Best from July 1 to September 15. The huts open from about June 20 to late September, but late June can still bring snow on the plateau, and the weather turns after mid-September. Early July and early September are quieter.

No, the huts have no road access, so you'll hike with a 25-45 L pack. Your main bag can stay in San Martino di Castrozza; we'll agree where when you book.

The huts have mostly dorms. Some have a few small rooms, only where available and for an extra charge.

By private transfer from Venice airport (about 2 hours, on request), or by train to Feltre and then by bus.

Hiking in the Alps is typically possible from mid-June to late September, depending on the snow conditions at high elevations. Many hiking routes cross mountain passes that are located above 2000 meters, so it is important to check the current conditions if you plan to visit in early summer.

Keep in mind that the huts along these routes close for the season outside of this time frame, so it is not possible to plan multi-day tours outside of these months.

Read more about the hiking season on the Alta Via 1.

We have rated our tours on a difficulty scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being the easiest and 5 being the most challenging. The difficulty level of a tour indicates how fit you need to be and how much hiking is required. Each tour's fitness level and daily distances are shown on its page, so you can choose the one that suits you.

In addition to the physical demands of the hike, there is also a technical difficulty level to consider. This refers to the skill level required to navigate the path. A level 1 trail is smooth and wide, like a gravel road, while a level 5 trail is uneven and exposed, requiring the use of your hands for balance. Essentially, the higher the technical difficulty level, the more surefooted and skilled in scrambling you need to be.

Hassle-Free

We handle itineraries, accommodations, and anything else you prefer not to deal with, so you can enjoy a carefree hike.

Book with confidence

We are a financially protected company, fully bonded and insured, keeping your money safe and allowing you to travel with confidence.

Tried & Tested Adventures

Only the best hut to hut hikes in the Dolomites, cherry-picked by our local team with an in-depth knowledge of the region.

Unbeatable support

Our 24/7 customer support is where we show our passion, bringing you a better experience by making your well-being our number one priority.

from 795 € /person