woman admiring the view after hiking the alta via
woman admiring the view after hiking the alta via

Dolomites Alta Via, Fanes & Sennes

Level
3
Distance
93 km
Duration
8 days | 7 nights
period
Jun Jul Aug Sep
price from
€ 1.043
CO2 footprint
88 Kg/person
  1. Italy
  2.  | 
  3. Self-Guided
  4.  | 
  5. Tourcode ITSM080

Protected reserves and shimmering mountains, alpine meadows and idyllic vistas – those ethereal and iconic mountain images that dance in our minds when we dream of a vacation among the peaks. This journey turns those dreams into reality. Starting from Plätzwiese and going all the way to San Vigilio di Marebbe, a week of walking awaits you in the splendid Fanes and Sennes Park, set in a scenery that the world envies us for.

You'll behold alpine lakes with a blue so intense they blend with the sky, lush green meadows, a pristine nature that towers over everything, revealing what the land can do without human intervention.

With the changing seasons, the meadows are adorned with wildflowers, taking on emerald green or iridescent hues, various shades of green and gray, while the sky brightens around the snow-covered peaks. The food in this area is excellent, flavorful, hearty – perfect for rejuvenation after days in the mountains. And with cozy mountain huts, you'll have everything you need to rest.

Highlights

  • Feel on top of the world
  • Enjoy spellbinding views, wild open spaces, mountain lakes, jagged peaks;
  • Admire the rich flora and fauna;
  • Taste the superb culinary, including delicious cheeses, carne salada, polenta, mushrooms, speck and outstanding wines.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Plätzwiese/ Prato Piazza

Arrive in Plätzwiese/ Prato Piazza

Arrive with public transport or private transfer to Plätzwiese/ Pratopiazza, check-in at the accommodation and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the Dolomites.

Day 2

Loop from Berggasthof Plätzwiese via the Strudelkopf, 5,9-8,3 km

Loop from Berggasthof Plätzwiese via the Strudelkopf, 5,9-8,3 km

Today you can choose among several hiking itineraries. You can climb of the Strudelkopf (2307m) with excellent views on the Drei Zinnen or go for a tour through the rolling Stollaplatz and Stolla-Alm. Or you can do either walks because they are relatively short.

Distance: 5,9-8,3 km 

Ascent/Descent: +250 or 350 m/-250 or 350 m 

Day 3

From Plätzwiese to Sennes, 21,3 km

From Plätzwiese to Sennes, 21,3 km

After breakfast you start the today’s walk with a descent via the spectacular Val dei Canope to Cimabanche. After a short walk along the road you climb through Val de Gotres towards Forcella Lerosa, a meadow plateau surrounded by beautiful mountain peaks. After a steep descent through a forest, you begin the final climb through the lovely Val Salata and reach Sennes.

Distance: 21,3 km 

Ascent/descent: +985/-834 m 

Day 4

Loop from Rifugio Sennes via the Sennes Plateau, 12,4 km

Loop from Rifugio Sennes via the Sennes Plateau, 12,4 km

The walk today takes you through plateaus and valleys above the tree line surrounded by mountain vistas. This short hike can be extended with a climb to the Muntejela de Senes peak (2887m). The view from the peak is stunning.

Distance: 12,4 km 

Ascent/descent: +345/-330 m 

Day 5

From Rifugio Sennes to Rifugio Fanes via Lago de Foses, 17 km

From Rifugio Sennes to Rifugio Fanes via Lago de Foses, 17 km

Today's varied route initially follows the Dolomite Höhenweg/Alta via Dolomiti, maintaining roughly constant elevation. After this, you descend to the beautifully located Lago de Foses and then to the lovely Valon Scuro. On the other side of the valley, you climb back up towards the Lago Le Casun and further to Fodara Vedla, a picturesque village and a nice place for a break. After a long, steep descent to the Pederü hut, you start the final ascent to the Fanes Plateau. If the weather is bad, the route can be shortened by taking the dirt road that goes to Rifugio Fodara Vedla, then on to Rifugio Pederü avoiding lakes.

Distance: 17 km 

Ascent/descent: +1068/-1133 m 

Day 6

Loop from Rifugio Fanes via Ju della Crusc and L’Ciaval

Loop from Rifugio Fanes via Ju della Crusc and L’Ciaval

Today you can choose between two alternative all-day hikes.

Walk A: L’Ciaval loop via de Ju de la Crusc (17 km)
This all day route takes you up a steep, wooded hillside to the bare, rocky expanse of the Fanes plateau. At Ju d’la Crusc you reach the edge of the plateau, where you can enjoy dramatic vistas over the valley below. You can optionally extend the hike with a climb up to the L’Ciaval peak.

Walk B: Fanes loop via Bivacco alla Pace (16 km)
This hike starts with a short steep section that takes you to Limo Lake, from where it becomes a comfortable walk along an unpaved road winding its way through unpleasant alpine scenery, then climbing above the tree line on a rocky and lose gravel trail to the foot of the dramatic Monte Castello outcrop where the small bivacco is located. The views on underlying rocky valleys are breathtaking. The track was originally WWI military road bring supplies to the front. Close to Monte Castello there can be sections of snow, walking poles are very useful.

Distance: 16 or 17 km 

Ascent/descent: +1045 or 848/-1028 or 1035 m 

Day 7

From Rifugio Fanes to San Vigilio di Marebbe, 18-20 km

From Rifugio Fanes to San Vigilio di Marebbe, 18-20 km

Descend from the Fanes Plateau to the lovely Val di Marebbe. You first climb steeply to Anthoius Joch, with a difficult descent over a debris slope. After that, you continue over a wide path through the village of Wengen/ La Valle to Crusc de Rit, with beautiful views on the way. You then descend through forests and meadows to San Vigilio di Marebbe.

Distance: 20 or 18 km 

Ascent/descent: +650/-1450 m 

Day 8

Arrivederci San Vigilio di Marebbe!

Arrivederci San Vigilio di Marebbe!

The trip and our services end after breakfast unless you have booked extra services or extra nights.

Details

Is this for me?


This journey is perfect for those who love the mountains: the routes we offer are among the most spectacular in the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

However, these paths are quite challenging, not technical but suitable for those who already have experience with multi-day mountain hikes. Three days involve circular walks, so you start and end at the refuge on these days - you have the opportunity to rest on these days if you need a break.

This is not the trip for those who suffer from vertigo or are not fully stable on their feet.

Included


What is included

  • 7 Nights in mountain huts and B&B with breakfast
  • 4 dinners (Rifugio Platzwiese and Rifugio Fanes Hutte)
  • luggage transportation
  • maps and detailed description of the itinerary in digital form, app
  • Medical and luggage travel insurance
  • 24h phone assistance

What is not included 

  • Transfers to the starting location and from the arriving location of the tour
  • lunches and dinners, if not otherwise stated.
  • visits and entrance fees - tips
  • personal expense
  • possible sojourn taxes
  • everything that is not mentioned in the "What is included" section.

Optional Services

These services can be added to the ones included in the base price of the tour:

  • Cancellation insurance
  • Transfers to reach the starting location or to leave the arriving location of the tour, which will be quoted on request.
  • travel documentation in printed form (maps and detailed description of the itinerary), shipped to the first hotel

Accommodation


Platzwiese Hut Prags
Platzwiese Hut - Prags

Platzwiese Hut is located 2000 metres above sea level. Rooms have a mountain style and are simple, well-finished. Cuisine is very good and you can taste it on panoramic terrace. 

www.plaetzwiese.com

Sennes Hut St. Vigil Enneberg
Sennes Hut - St. Vigil Enneberg

The mountain refuge Sennes, 2126 m, is located in the Fanes-Senes-Braies National Park. Rooms have a mountain style and they are well-finished and clean. Breakfast is good and the cuisine offers Tyrolese specialties. Staff is courteous and helpful. 

www.sennes.com

Fanes Hut San Vigilio di Marebbe
Fanes Hut - San Vigilio di Marebbe

Fanes Hut is located on the Dolomites above the town of San Vigilio di Marebbe. Rooms are made by wood, well-furnished and comfortable. The cuisine offers traditional dishes Ladin, but international too. Owners are helpful and welcoming. 

www.rifugiofanes.com

B&B Villa La Bercia San Vigilio di Marebbe
B&B Villa La Bercia - San Vigilio di Marebbe

B&B Villa La Bercia is located in a very quiet area surrounded by nature. It has wood furniture and a common living room and checkroom. Rooms have a rustic style, well-furnished and comfortable with private bathroom, balcony, free Wifi. Breakfast is good both savoury and sweet. Owners are helpful and welcoming. 

www.labercia.com

When to travel


You will experience the typical mountain weather. In June you will still find patches of snow here and there. Like in all mountainous areas, the weather can be unpredictable and can change quickly so always check the weather forecast before setting and always take with you a rain jacket, warm hat and gloves.

What to bring


Clothing and other items
You will need your regular walking/cycling gear, including some sort of reflective garment. For the evenings, smart outdoor style trousers (or shorts) are invaluable, as are quick-dry t-shirts. These can be washed easily and will dry overnight and still look good for sightseeing or having a drink in town.

Take as little as possible to avoid potentially lugging a heavy suitcase up three flights of stairs at the end of the day. Please be aware that laundromats (“Laverie”) are not common in rural areas, so plan to do handwashing of small items.

Lightweight walking shoes/ trainers
For wearing around towns & villages. They can also be a back-up pair.

Socks & underwear
Take only good quality socks with quick-dry and insulating qualities. Road test them before you go on the trip. Take a suitable quantity of underwear as washing facilities are limited.

Warm jacket, hat, gloves
Bring a fleece, Polartec or warm layers for the evenings especially in spring or autumn; be sure it is totally suitable for your needs.
A fleece jacket which blocks the wind (Wind-stopper) is the most preferable. In the summer months a lightweight jacket is suitable for evenings.
If you are cycling/walking in mountainous or coastal areas, even in the height of summer, the weather can change very quickly and unexpectedly and you should be prepared for fog, mist, rain, snow or hail at any time. Always take an extra layer with you, as well as a warm hat and gloves.

Waterproof jacket & trousers
If you are caught in heavy rain, with good waterproof clothing you should remain dry. Remember that most garments will lose their properties over time. Few will remain waterproof for more than five years and many deteriorate in three years or less. We recommend a rain jacket with a good hood and collar and waterproof or thermal walking/cycling trousers or tights.

Dress code
In general, you should wear suitable clothing when entering a church (in many places, it is considered unacceptable to go inside wearing shorts or a tank-top). We suggest that women carry a shawl to cover up bear shoulders or low-cut tops. It also comes in handy when your shoulders get sunburned!

It is considered inappropriate for men to go without a shirt / T-shirt (other than at the beach).

Trekking poles (adjustable)
Highly recommended. A pair works best, depending on what you are comfortable with. If you suffer from back or knee pain this should be considered essential. Remember to practise walking with your pole(s) on different types of terrain in the months preceding your trip.

Walking boots
The importance of good footwear cannot be stressed enough. Your boots should be sturdy and of good enough quality to handle all types of terrain. Lightweight boots, (cordura/leather boots) which have Gore-Tex or sympatex water-proofing are most suitable for this trip. They should provide good ankle protection and be well broken in. Waxing leather boots regularly prolongs their life.

Walking tops & trousers
We recommend walking trousers and shorts and quick-dry wicking t-shirts. These can be washed easily and will dry overnight and still look good for sightseeing or having a drink in town. Wicking T-shirts are fast drying, keep moisture away from your skin and are available at outdoor stores. You should also bring one pair of loose-fitting trousers to wear in cities and for evenings out, etc. Shorts or zip-off trousers are useful in warmer weather.

Practical info

How to arrive


From any airport, reach the main train stations and take the train to Dobbiaco (Tobalch) or Villabassa Braies (Niederdorf Prags), with change in Fortezza (Franzensfeste). From Dobbiaco (Toblach) or Villabassa Braies (Niederhof Prags), you need to take 2 busses to reach Prato Piazza (Platzwiese), with change in Segheria (Sage).

On departure from San Vigilio di Marebbe (St. Vigil in Enneberg), take a bus to Brunico (Brunek) with one change in Longega (Zwischenwasser). From the train station (walking distance from the bus station), you can reach both Innsbruck HBN and Verona Porta Nuova train stations. Most trains are not direct, and you have to change in Fortezza (Franzenfeste).

Train/bus schedules available on:

Mobile App


Use the SloWays APP for iOS and Android smart phones in combination with the written documentation provided.

The App has the detailed tracks and maps that you can use offline and without roaming. Thanks to the phone’s internal GPS, you can check your exact position on the map, so you always know exactly where you are. It also helps you self-navigate you way while travelling. More information on how to use the App inside the roadbook documents.

The navigation features include:

  • Offline navigation. Mobile data not required after initial download
  • Accurate GPS tracks
  • Autorotation of the maps
  • Daily route summary and elevation chart
  • Panorama of the track and at street level
  • Alarm and vibration that alerts you in case you go off track.
  • Emergency SMS button with position coordinates
  • Possibility to record and take georeferenced photos of problems on route alerting fellow travelers
  • Hotel information
  • Points of interest along the way
  • Historical background

Wanderlust Nominee Best Specialist Tour Operator 2023
Wanderlust
Nominee Best Specialist Tour Operator 2023
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Touroperating
S-Cape Countryside Travels srl
Borgo Allegri 16R
50122 Firenze FI
P. IVA 05227330486

 
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Touroperating S-Cape Countryside Travels srl Borgo Allegri 16R 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
VAT Nr 05227330486

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